Who are Camp America?
Camp America was established in 1969 and is part of a larger group called The American Institute for Foreign Study founded by Sir Cyril Taylor, GBE. Camp America has offices in Australia, Germany, and Poland with head offices in London, UK and Stamford, USA. Camp America is a cultural exchange programme that each year provides over 7,000 young people from all over the world with the opportunity to work up to 9 weeks in a placement on a summer camp in the USA. Taking part in Camp America has many benefits. It can help improve the confidence, responsibility and communication skills of young people as well as encourage and develop their independence and life experience.
Applying for Camp America
Applicants are required to complete an online application which should be submitted with two references (which should adhere to our reference requirements) and an up to date criminal background check through the relevant organisations requested by Camp America based on their country of application. Once their online application is complete applicants are also required to take part in an interview with one of our approved interviewers. Once placed applicants will be required to complete a visa application with their local US Embassy and arrange for a Camp America medical form to be completed by their doctor. Please note: Unless otherwise stated, acceptance onto the programme in no way guarantees a placement.
The Interview
Applying to Camp America will involve completing stage one of the on-line application form, paying a application fee and taking part in an interview with a trained and vetted Camp America interviewer. Generally our interviewer's are young people who have participated on the programme for two or more years, and their responsibility is to assess that anyone applying to Camp America possesses the skills, experience, maturity and ability to participate. Interviewers generally conduct interviews on line. All applicants will be required to attend a face to face meeting with Camp America staff at an occasion which they will be informed of.
Camp America Fees & Refunds
For the breakdown of our current fees, please click here. Please also note that Camp America does not cover certain charges and travel costs that participants may incur. All payments are non-refundable if the cancellation is made by the applicant - however if cancellation is a result of a bona fide medical reason, that is backed-up with an official confirmation, all payments less the Application Fee will be refunded. Additionally if a placement is not found a full refund less the Application Fee ,will be issued of the payments made to Camp America directly. Unfortunately we are unable to refund any third party payments such as any police check and medical form fees. Camp America charges a fee both to the applicant and to the camp. Fees are charged to cover the costs of running a fully-supportive programme which includes flights to and from New York, the provision of group medical and accident coverage, staffing, provision of orientations and the work incurred in searching for and securing a placement on summer camp.