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Frequently Asked Questions

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If you cannot find your answer here please do not hesitate to contact us here, call 03 9329 3866 or come to one of our FREE  Summer Camp USA Info Sessions!.

Visa & Eligibility

Summer Camp USA Program

Application Process

Travel

Flights

Returning to Camp

Visa & Eligibility

Who is eligible for Summer Camp USA?
Are aged between 18-30 years (18 must show excellent leadership experience and have great skills)

How long is the visa good for?
The J-1 Visa you will receive on Summer Camp USA will allow you to work for the full duration of camp, which is usually 8-10 weeks. The visa cannot be extended. You are allowed 30 days of travel at the end of the visa.

Can I extend my camp visa?
No. You cannot extend a visa.

I can’t commit to the 8-10 week camp placement ? can I still apply?
To be eligible for the program you must be able to commit to working the full summer camp season. If you cannot commit to the 8-10 weeks the summer camps are requesting you will not be hired.

Do I need a criminal record check?
Yes. Since you are working with children you will need to get a criminal record check. IEP will provide you with the documents you will need to fill out and send away.

I have a criminal conviction, am I eligible?
It all comes down to what the conviction was and when it happened. The best thing to do is contact IEP at [email protected] or call 03 9329 3866 and we will let you know whether you are eligible for the program.

Summer Camp USA Program

If I go on the program, what do I get?

Before you go:

Upon Arrival

Why choose Summer Camp USA over other camp organizations?
There are many different camp organizations in Australia, but here is where we set ourselves apart:

Do I have to take insurance through IEP?
Medical insurance is already included in your program fees.

Can I choose my camp?
You can request a certain camp, but we cannot guarantee you will be placed there. What we do is match your skills, activities of interests and personality to one of the 1000’s of camps we work with.

How long is camp?
Summer camp runs between late May and mid August for 8-10 weeks.

When will I leave for camp?
When you leave depends on your contract. Most camps will start late May or early June.

How much will camp cost overall?
Here is a break down of fees and costs associated with camp:

So all up you are looking at spending roughly $3310.

When will I be placed?
That really is a tough question! It depends on what past experience you have working with kids and what leadership roles you’ve held.  We will initially screen after you first apply and if we feel you need to have more experience to be placed we will let you know. It also depends on how fast you can complete the application. The sooner we have it completed and in the US the sooner you will be placed.

Am I guaranteed a camp placement?

Yes. Summer Camp USA guarantees you a camp placement or you get a full program refund.

How much money will I make?
Summer Camp USA offers the HIGHEST salary in Australia! 

How much experience working with children do I need?
For this program you will need to have some experience working with kids. This could include: teaching, day-care, sport coaching, volunteering, leadership roles at school, church groups, clubs etc.

What skills are in high demand at camp?

Lifeguards – Pool or Surf Certified

LAND SPORTS SKILLS

ARTS & CRAFT SKILLS

OUTDOOR SKILLS

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES

MUSIC


What is accommodation like at camp?
Summer camp accommodation varies from camp to camp. You could be living in:

It is usually communal living, so you will most likely be living with campers and another counsellor.

What is food like at camp?
Camp food does vary camp to camp. Food is prepared in bulk, so buffet style is popular. You will find many have salad, breakfast and desert bars. They sometimes have international nights where they cook food from around the world and cookouts/BBQ’s are also popular!

Do I get weekends off?
Generally you will be given one day off at camp a week

If I don’t like my camp can I change?
If you are not enjoying camp it is important to let us know. We will then be able to work on a solution. That could be changing your role or finding you another camp placement.

If I don’t like my department can I change?
Camps hire you for certain roles and that makes it rather difficult to change your placement. If you not enjoying your role, we ask that you speak with the camp director or your manager. When you are initially interviewing for your role it is a good idea to get a job description from the camp director so you know exactly what you will be doing.

Where are Camps located?
There are over 12,000 summer camps in the US. The majority are found long the east coast and mid west of the US.

How old will the campers be?
The summer campers will be between the ages of 6-16 yrs. You can find that many generations of families attend the same camp over the years. Summer camp is pretty much a rite of passage for many Americans.

Will Camps/the Camp Director contact me?
Yes. If the summer camp is interested in hiring you they will most probably contact you via Skype or over the phone for a interview.

Can I go to Canada after camp?
Absolutely. It is quite common for summer campers to head to Canada afterwards on IEP’s Work Canada program. This is a great way to extend your adventure and add a Canadian working holiday to the end. Our participants tend to travel through the US for the 30 days after camp and then head to our offices in Canada where they often find work at ski resorts for the coming winter season.

How do I find out more info?
The best place to find out more is here on the website! We also host information sessions throughout the country and this is a great way to learn more. If you cannot make it to an info session you can give us a call at 03 9329 3866, email [email protected] or find us on Facebook.

Application Process

How do I apply?
We offer a simple and stress free application process- no need to worry about creating a video! We want to get to know the real you over the phone or face to face!

You will start by filling out our online application. We will then be in touch to start to organize and interview with our camp placement team as well as start our online camp application which will outline your skills, activities of interest, experience working with kids as well as a couple references.

We will then review all of your application to ensure it looks great and then send it off to some camps in the US. How fast this happens, really depends on how fast you work on your application. Apply now!

What is the difference between a general camp counsellor and an activity camp counsellor?
There are two types of counsellors at camp and which one you will be placed at depends on your past experience and skills.

I don’t have a particular skill or activity I could teach. Can I still apply?
It is not a program requirement that you have a specialist skill in a particular activity, though it is preferable. If you are more of an ‘all-rounder’ where you have a little experience in a variety of activities you maybe placed as a general counsellor.

Can I work with a friend/partner?
It is possible, but we just cannot guarantee it. It is important that if you want to attend camp with a friend to apply early as that will increase your chances.

You should know:

If you are placed at a camp with your friend you won’t necessarily get the same days off. It is best if you plan to do your travels together after camp in that 30 day grace period

Like we said earlier, we’ve placed friends before but we really do not encourage it. If you still keen to apply early make sure you:

Can I apply if I have a medical condition?
It really depends on the medical condition. Some medical conditions may exclude you from the program. The best thing to do if you have a medical condition is contact IEP at 03 9329 3866 or [email protected]  to discuss the condition as we review them on a case by case basis.

When is the latest I can apply for Summer Camp USA?
Applications usually stay open until April 2016. The earlier you apply the better chance of being placed at a summer camp. Ideally we want to have your application in the US before the end of 2015 early 2016. This means your application will be in the camp director’s hands first! As well there will be more summer camp positions available.

Do I need a passport to apply?
No & yes. You can apply for the program without a passport and we can start on your getting your application sorted, but before we send it to the camp directors we will need a copy of your passport.

When should I apply?
The earlier you apply the better! We have an no application fee until Dec 31 2015 and you will also go in to WIN a 7 day Trek America tour.

Start your application here.

Travel

Can I travel anywhere in the US after camp?
After summer camp you can travel anywhere in the US for up to 30 days.

Can I travel before camp?
We do not recommend that you travel before you camp, but it is possible for special circumstances. If you wish to travel before camp please contact us with your plans and we will be able to let you know whether it is possible.

Can I travel with my friend/partner?
Absolutely. After camp is finished you can travel with whomever you like!

Will I have the opportunity to meet other people on the program before I leave?
Yes. Once you apply you will be able to meet other participants through our Facebook page.

Can I drive in the US on my license?
Yes you can, if you have the appropriate licence and have checked the regulations in the state you will be residing.

Flights

Do I have to book with STA Travel?
Yes. We have an in-house STA Travel agent that books all of our summer campers travels.

Can I book a one way ticket?
No. When travelling to the US you must have an onward ticket out of North America.

Returning to Camp

Can I go back to the same camp?
Yes and what’s even more exciting is that you get to negotiate your own salary!

Can I go back to a different camp?
No. If you are not returning back to the same camp you will not be eligible to go as a returner.

Can I go through Summer Camp USA even though I went through another camp program last year?
Absolutely. Each year we have many campers who initially went through other organizations travel with IEP back to camp. What we will need from you is your camp contract and that you fill out our returner camp application form here.

How do I apply as a Returner?
To apply as a returner just follow these 5 easy steps!

  1. Apply online for returning to summer camp  
  2. Get a contract from Camp  
  3. Get two references on our reference form  
  4. Complete the application form (much shorter than your first year!)  
  5. Send us a photocopy your previous J1 visa and passport, a reference and copy of your contract…. then leave the rest to us!