Create your own American experience! Spend 9-12 weeks at a summer camp across the U.S., where you’ll work with kids, make an impact, and enjoy a full 30 days of travel afterward.
J-1 Camp Counselors is a cultural exchange program that provides an opportunity for students, youth workers, teachers, and individuals with specialized skills from other countries to travel to the UnitedStates and work as summer camp counselors.
Ready for 9 weeks of incredible fun at a youth camp in the USA? Enjoy a fulfilling job, look after kids, join camp activities, and create amazing memories.
Working at J-1 Camp counselors is a highly affordable way to travel. It offers low program fees, a high starting salary (minimum $2,300 USD), and free food and accommodation. Plus, you’ll gain leadership and teamwork skills to boost your CV for future job or university applications.
Live and breathe English 24/7 while developing essential global soft skills.
Immerse yourself in American culture and enjoy a 30-days grace period to travel the US.
You must be between 18 and 30 years old, and you must have turned 18 by June 1st of the year you are traveling.
Able to fly to the United States before June 20th Able to attend the entire camp season, which typically lasts 9-12 weeks
You must have no criminal record.
A passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining from the date of your end of stay in the United States
You must be a fluent English speaker.
Some prior experience working with children or youth
You must have Proof of flight departure from the United States (return flight or connecting flight to another country)
- A 9-12 week summer camp
- A minimum stipend of $2,300 USD
- Food and accommodation at the camp
- Health insurance covering 4 months
- Recruitment activities Available in both in-person and virtual formats.
- Sponsorship for obtaining a work permit in the United States.
- Detailed visa application guidance for every step.
- Preparation for the visa interview at the U.S. Embassy.
- U.S. government SEVIS fees.
- Pre-departure call to receive all important information.
- Discord group for getting to know and chatting with fellow program participants.
- One-on-one support and consultation before you depart.
- 24/7 assistance upon arrival at your destination (in the United States).
- Police check: This a condition of your visa sponsorship, and is typically done online in your home country for free or a small fee.
- US Embassy fee: This is paid directly to the US Embassy and currently costs USD $185 (+ an additional $215 for Australia passport holders)
- I-94 arrival fee: Paid directly to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and currently costs USD $24
- Support funds: You may be required to show proof that you can access USD $800
- Travel insurance for camp: Medical cover is included, but you must also purchase travel insurance
- Flights: We don’t recommend booking flights until your J-1 visa is approved
- Travel after camp: Get 10% off worldwide Contiki trips before you go! Friends = benefits
GActs as a mentor and group leader.
Responsible for supervising
children’s daily routines and well-being in their cabins.
Moves with the group to participate in various recreational activities according to the schedule.
Provides close supervision to ensure the safety of the children at all times.
Acts as an assistant instructor or coach for specialized activities.
If you possess skills such as swimming, kayaking, sports, archery, horseback riding, music, or teaching arts and crafts, this role allows you to oversee and share these skills with the camp children.
Responsible for supervising camp children who require extra attention and support.
Provides love, understanding, and mentorship to ensure their well-being is closely monitored.
This role is considered challenging but offers an invaluable and profoundly rewarding life experience.
in America?
Like Vegas, our Summer Camp USA program doesn’t close – so you can book year-round with a deposit and get a head start on your application. However, applications for each summer will typically close in Mar/Apr – so if you book after that, it will be for the following summer. Camp start dates vary, but you’ll typically need to travel by 20 June.
Timelines From submitting your application to getting hired and securing your J1 visa can take between 30 days to 3-6 months. Camp Directors start hiring as early as September the year before, so to save you having to hustle – apply early to give yourself plenty of time to get through the process.
1. Apply + book your camp consultation
Duration : 1 day
Duration : 1 day
Check the visa eligibility on this page, hit ‘Apply Now’ and create your profile. You can then access your online account anytime from the top of this page. Once you’ve paid your deposit, you’ll need to book a non-scary camp consultation with the BUNAC team. This is a visa requirement and is to check your eligibility and make sure that the camp program is right for you. You can then move onto your sponsorship application – ready for your camp consultation.
2. Work on your sponsorship application
In the resources section of your online account, you’ll find everything you need to fill out your sponsorship application. Ultimately, this application needs to be approved by our US sponsor and is what allows you to work in America – so it’s time to make it shine! You’ll need to provide your education history, childcare experience, a personal statement and two references from a teacher, employer or non-relative adult. Getting the fear? Don’t worry – we’ll provide you with all the intel on creating a winning application.
3. Attend your camp consultation
Duration : 1 - 14 days
Duration : 1 - 14 days
Time to dial in for your camp consultation. This is a one-on-one 30-minute call with the BUNAC team or one of our camp alumni and is designed to check your eligibility, discuss your skills and motivation for working at camp, and go over your application to make sure it’s hitting the right notes. It’s also a chance to ask questions. While this is a strictly non-interview dress scenario, you need to show up – physically and mentally – to get the most out of the call and to set yourself up for the next step.
4. Start the camp hiring process
Duration : 7 - 30+ days
Duration : 7 - 30+ days
Once you’ve paid your second payment, your application will go into the camp hiring pool. Here, Camp Directors will approach you to set up an interview and likewise, you can express interest in camps. While we love a pool hang, we’d advise being flexible here versus holding out for a specific camp and loitering too long in the hiring pool. Whichever camp you end up at, you’ll swear it’s the best. It’s more important to get hired than it is to hold out and risk staying home! Throughout the year, we also have in-person and virtual hiring days where you can meet and interview with Camp Directors.
5. Interview with your summer camp
Duration : 1 day
Duration : 1 day
You’ll then have a video interview with your camp. This is a job interview, so make sure you’ve geeked up on all the prep in your online account. Act professionally but also show your personality – as this goes a long way at summer camp! If you get offered a summer camp job, we advise taking it as we can’t guarantee you’ll be offered more than one interview. Plus, be open-minded – Camp Directors are experts at recruiting, so trust that you’re a great fit for that camp. If you’re struggling to get hired, our Camp Crew will step in, help you to improve your application and try to match you to a position.
6. Receive your sponsorship paperwork
Duration : 1 day
Duration : 1 day
To work in the USA, you need a US sponsor. Along with IENA, our US partner, we’ll then secure your DS-2019 paperwork which will be sent to you electronically. This document allows you to apply for your J-1 visa. This involves an online application and in-person interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in your home country. We recommend booking your embassy appointment the day you receive your DS-2019, as it isn’t unusual for embassy appointments to get booked up or run out of appointments in the lead up to camp.
7. Attend your US Embassy interview
Duration : 7 - 10+ days
Duration : 7 - 10+ days
In your online account, you’ll find step-by-step guidance on filling out your online J-1 application and prepping for your US Embassy interview. The embassy will keep your passport for 7-10 days, returning it by post along with your visa stamp. So if you have any trips booked in the lead up to camp or need a new passport, make sure you factor this into your timelines! Unfortunately, camp providers don’t have any control over the availability of visa appointments or the outcome of your appointment.
8. Book flights + have your camp orientation
Duration : 1 - 7 days
Duration : 1 - 7 days
Once you have your J-1 visa, it’s safe to book your flights and travel insurance. Make sure you book a return ticket – as you’ll need this to get through US immigration. In Apr/May, the BUNAC team run camp orientations via group video calls to get you all set up for life at camp. As well as being mandatory for your visa, it’s also a great way to connect and get all your camp questions answered.
9. Arrive at camp for your arrival orientation
While many summer camps offer transport, camps are scattered all over the USA and our travellers fly in from all over the world, so you’re responsible for getting from the airport to your camp. Typically, you’ll arrive a week before your campers. This is to connect with your USA summer camp family and complete your training. Going from your home life to camp life can feel like a shock to the system. But go with it. Guaranteed, once you settle in, you won’t be able to imagine spending a summer anywhere else!
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