New Fee Structure for Support Staff

In certain states, Department of Labor regulations require that many for-profit camps pay their support staff hourly minimum wage and overtime - there is no exemption in these states for seasonal workers.

InterExchange Camp USA is leading the industry by initiating a revised support staff fee structure in 2012 which will help you comply with Department of Labor regulations. Our new fee structure allows you to  comply with your state minimum wage laws, while still being able to afford the added benefits of hiring international staff. Please refer to the U.S. Department of Labor to read the regulations for your area. 

Our fee structure for counselors and direct placement participants has not changed.

New for 2012 - Stipend Paid to Support Staff

Camps will no longer pay InterExchange Camp USA any agency fees for regular support staff. Camps will pay each support staff a minimum stipend of hourly minimum wage (or $2,650, pre-tax, whichever is higher).  If support staff work overtime, state minimum wage laws apply.

Support staff will be responsible for paying the InterExchange program fees. They will have two payment options to choose from:

Option One

Support staff pay all fees upfront in their home country, including their own airfare. During the InterExchange Camp USA program in the U.S., they keep all their wages to cover the cost of the initial program fees and airfare.

Option Two

In order to better serve our participants, we have developed a second payment option that will allow greater flexibility for our participants to manage their budgets. Support staff may choose to have InterExchange program fees and airfare deducted from their earnings in the U.S. once they start earning money at camp. By allowing participants to pay these fees in small increments throughout the summer instead of in a single lump sum, participants will be better able to manage their expenses and still save money while living in the U.S.

  • Before support staff begin working at your camp, InterExchange Camp USA will assist each of them with setting up a bank account. 
  • Camps will then pay wages directly into the support staff’s bank account through a series of Direct Deposits over the course of the summer. 
  • With the permission of the support staff, InterExchange Camp USA will incrementally collect our program fee ($600) and airfare ($650, unless participant is self-travel) from each bank account through a series of direct debits over the course of the summer.

While this process is different from previous years, everyone benefits. Support staff will earn a higher wage than in previous years. Camps are better prepared to be compliant with Department of Labor laws and regulations.

We understand there might be questions. Please don’t hesitate to contact Camp USA for any guidance or more details in preparing for the upcoming season.

We are excited that our new fee structure provides the most fair and legal solution for everyone, and we look forward to working with you for a very successful year in 2012!