If you're looking to experience American culture, working on a summer camp is a great idea. Get a camp job as an activity instructor, counsellor or member of the support team, before setting off on your adventure travelling across the country

What is an American summer camp?

An American summer camp is a place where children aged six to sixteen can experience a fun, safe environment and develop skills outside of a school environment. Held during the summer months, activities include adventure sports as well as a variety of arts.

According to CNN, 26 million children are expected to enrol at summer camps around USA this year. It also found that 14,000 day and resident camps had been set up in total, with many having a particular focus on educational, athletic or cultural development. Nearly half offered specialist programmes for disabled people.

In a breakdown of major programme focuses by summer camps in the USA, the ACA Camp Sites, Facilities, and Programs Report 2020 found that:

  • 56% focused on physical activity/nutrition
  • 55% character/moral development
  • 50% leadership/teamwork
  • 33% social-emotional learning
  • 27% outdoor/wilderness skills
  • 24% STEM
  • 23% arts/drama

What types of camps are there?

While there are many different forms, camps that regularly take on UK students for the summer include:

  • Day camps - like at school, the kids are picked up in the morning and dropped off in the evening. During downtime staff stay in-camp or at host families nearby, and you may explore the shopping malls or beaches at your leisure.
  • Private camps - independently owned and typically sports-orientated, activity specialists are required to teach children of all abilities.
  • Religious camps - for those with strong religious values, these camps are usually affiliated with a faith group such as Jewish or Christian organisations, and camp counsellors typically share these beliefs.
  • Not-for-profit camps - relying on donations and fundraising activities, these camps use more basic facilities but are still set in beautiful surroundings across the USA.
  • Girl Scout camps - with a strong focus on the great outdoors and getting back to basics.
  • Special needs camps - catering to children with special needs such as learning difficulties, or those with physical or mental disabilities.

What summer camp jobs are available?

It takes many people to ensure the safe running of a camp, with cooks, maintenance workers and nurses all forming part of the support staff. Roles for UK gap year students typically fall into three categories:

  • Activity instructor - if you're skilled and experienced in a particular sport or hobby, such as swimming, tennis or rock climbing, you'll get to coach the kids and organise group activities.
  • Camp counsellor/Cabin leader - your job will involve ensuring that camp life is enjoyable for campers, making yourself available from first thing in the morning until bedtime.
  • Support staff - described as the 'unsung heroes' that help make the time enjoyable a seamless for the kids. Unlike the other two positions, you'll need proof that you're in full-time education in order to acquire the visa needed.

Why work at a summer camp?

There are many benefits to embracing such an immersive experience, where you'll get to live and work on the camp site, and be handed responsibility for groups of children typically ranging in age from six to sixteen. This would be ideal if you're thinking of pursuing a teaching career.

Whatever your reasons, you'll make friends from around the world, become increasingly more independent and learn new skills that can be added to your CV, allowing you to really make the most of your summer break.

Where can I find a camp job?

A number of specialist summer camp providers in America offer work-based gap year programmes for UK students, where your visa will be sponsored.

The most well-known of these are:

The organisation can help you to plan the trip and offer full support with the practicalities, including which type of camp and location would be best for you.

Camps usually run for around 10 weeks from June to August, although some start in mid-May - so you'll need to be available for the duration.

Am I eligible?

To apply for BUNAC's Summer Camp USA programme, you'll need to have some experience of working with children. You must also have no criminal record and be 18-30 years old.

However, if you don't meet these requirements there's still time to secure a volunteering opportunity with children through a local organisation, such as a school or youth club.

At Camp America, applicants must be at least 18 years old. For the Campower role, you'll need to be a full-time student - although you won't to apply for its Counsellor programme. You can apply to be an interviewer, but must have completed at least two summers at camp and have recruitment experience.

How does the programme work?

While the exact process will depend on the operator, if you're a first-timer to camp you'll typically be able to select from a non-flight or flight-inclusive programme. If you'd rather organise your own flights you could choose the former, or for around £200 more you could get everything included.

For example, at Camp America, the amount you can earn and the total cost will be determined by whether you're a first-timer to camp and your choice of either the no-flights (£429) or flights-included (£629) packages. For the former, your earnings as a first-timer will be up to $1,950 (£1,593) while those booking return flights with the organisation will receive up to $1,350 (£1,103). Returners can negotiate their own camp pay.

On the other hand, BUNAC's American summer camp package includes:

  • a pre-arranged job placement
  • assistance with sorting your J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Visa
  • one-on-one support with arranging your interviews
  • SEVIS fees paid (US government)
  • medical insurance
  • inclusive food and accommodation
  • support while you're in the USA
  • a final summer salary of $2,000 (£1,634).

You'll also get the opportunity to attend a pre-departure orientation day in the UK.

Other costs to consider include:

  • US Embassy J-1 Visa - $160 (£131)
  • a mandatory ACRO police background check - £55 for the UK
  • proof of support funds - $800 (£654)
  • return flights and additional travel insurance - costs vary
  • some camps will require a medical examination - costs vary.

How do I apply?

You'll need to register your details online and pay a deposit - at BUNAC this is currently £49. On successful completion of an interview, you'll then pay £166 followed by £135 once you've secured a camp placement. For the flight-inclusive option, the final payment on landing a placement will be greater (£329).

Summer Camp USA interviews for the following summer usually take place between October and December at various regional locations throughout the UK, including London, Manchester, Newcastle, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Cardiff. For these you'll want to dress and appear impressionable, and importantly, make sure there's nothing inappropriate on your social media accounts.

Many summer camp providers attend information sessions at various university campuses throughout the year, as well as holding virtual fairs, while you can contact them directly to ask any specific questions.

How do I get a working visa?

As mentioned, J-1 visas are required for American summer camp programmes. Your operator will be able to advise you on securing this permit, but you can read more about them by visiting the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in the United Kingdom.

To find out more about summer jobs and working in this country, see work in the USA.

What do former campers say?

Rough Guides editor Siobhan Warwicker describes how the summer spent working as a camp counsellor in the USA felt like a definitive moment in her career to date. 'As well as fulfilling a craving for adventure, you'll find that you return a little braver, more mature, and ready to take on new challenges,' she says.

'University summers are long, and I wanted to use my final one to create memories, without breaking the bank. Working at a summer camp in America appealed to me because it allows you to spend time outdoors and lead activities in an exciting new environment.'

Rusja Foster, blogger at Summer Camp Secrets and regular BUNAC Summer Camp USA participant, agrees that, 'Working at a summer camp in the USA is a great way for students to enjoy a standalone, four-month mini experience during their summer break, or it can be part of a full gap year'.

However, as applying for a working visa in the USA is tricky, Siobhan feels it's worth choosing a structured programme from an operator because it makes the process much easier. Attending the programme orientation day is important, as this prepares you for the role while ensuring solidarity with other camp workers from the moment you get on the plane.

Siobhan also found that coaching children through the highs and lows of camp life was a surprisingly satisfying part of the experience, while on your nights off you can let your hair down and get to know other young people from all over the world.

'There's no getting around the fact that it's hard work but resilience, the ability to 'wing it,' and a sense of fun, are all skills that you'll call on throughout your career.'

How can I travel around America on a budget?

One of the great things about these programmes is that once the camp season is over, you'll typically have around 30 days to explore the country before your visa runs out. This means that if you've always wanted to go on an American road trip, you now can - and you'll hopefully have some friends staying on after camp to share this time with.

Siobhan explained how she made the most of this opportunity. 'We were all paid a lump sum at the end of camp, and used this to backpack around the United States - creating some of my most memorable travel experiences.'

It'll be easier to get around at the end of summer than during the colder months, and there are many different ways to save money when it comes to travel, food and accommodation.

For a start, you'll see much more of America if you choose to view it from an open highway, with the cheapest means of doing this being via bus travel, hiring a car with friends (and sharing the cost of petrol) or by renting a campervan.

There are plenty of online resources for guidance. For example, Rough Guides has published an article providing tips on the best routes for a road trip in California and its USA travel essentials.

Finally, there's accommodation to suit every budget thanks to Airbnb, Couchsurfing and the availability of cheap hotels and hostels.

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