Frequently Asked Questions
Applying to Camp Placement Program
About the Direct Placement Program
Applying to Camp Placement Program
Q. Do you recruit from my country?
A. InterExchange works with international cooperators throughout the world. Our focus is on diversity of participants. Some examples of the countries we recruit from are South Africa, Holland, Czech Republic, Spain, United Kingdom, Russia, Switzerland, Mexico, and many more. Please apply for more information to see if we have a cooperator in your country.
Q. How do I apply?
A. Participants interested in our Camp Staff Placement program should fill out the info request form. If there is an international cooperator in your home country, they will contact you with details about the next step in the application process. If you’ve already found a camp job, fill out the online application for the Direct Placement program. Please apply for more information to see if we work with an InterExchange cooperator in your country.
Q. What is an International Cooperator?
A. International cooperators are independent individuals or agencies based in countries outside the USA. InterExchange works with a wide network of cooperators in order to recruit the best candidates for camp jobs. They’re your first point of contact when you apply to the program. Your cooperator will pre-screen your application and may invite you to an interview and orientation session.
Q. Am I allowed to find camp jobs on my own?
A. If you have already applied to the InterExchange Camp Staff Placement program, then you should leave the placement process to us. If you have not applied to that program, you are free to get in touch with a camp director to see if they will hire you independently. After a camp hires you and sends you a contract, you can apply to Camp USA's Direct Placement Program obtain your visa.
Q. How good does my English need to be to apply?
A. If you are applying as a counselor, your English needs to be fluent. You will be working directly with American children and need to be able to understand what they say without much clarification, and respond to them clearly and with minimal hesitation. If you are applying as support staff, your English can be at an intermediate level. However, you must be able to understand instructions that are given to you, and be able to get your ideas across to the person you're speaking to. In either case, remember that you will be surrounded by native English speakers at camp. This is a great opportunity to improve your English skills no matter how well you currently speak the language.
Q. Can my friend and I go to the same camp?
A. InterExchange believes it’s better for you to experience camp on your own. You’ll be able to experience the cultural exchange more fully when you travel alone. For that reason, we don’t usually place friends at the same camp. Don’t worry--you’ll make plenty of friends once you arrive at camp.
Q. How long after I apply will I hear about my placement?
A. We try to find a placement for each participant. Since camp directors have the final say on who they’ll hire, we can’t guarantee a time frame. Some participants are matched a week after they are accepted into the program, while others will have to wait several months. You should be prepared to wait until mid-June for a placement.
Q. What is it like to work at a special needs camp?
A. Special needs campers can include physically and/or emotionally challenged children or adults. Camp directors prefer applicants who have some experience working with special needs populations, though experience is not required. You should be able to deal with campers on a one-to-one basis, as well as in group settings. You should also be comfortable lifting campers, and caring for their personal hygiene. This can be difficult work but is also extremely rewarding.
Q. Can you tell me more about religious camps?
A. There are various types of religious camps in the USA; most are Christian or Jewish. The level of religious involvement for staff varies from camp to camp. Some religious camps may ask counselors to lead religious activities, and participate in devotional services. Others may not require staff members to participate in religious activities at all. All participants applying to the regular program need to be open minded to others religious beliefs.
Q. What is the SEVIS fee?
A. On September 1, 2004, the U.S. Department of State mandated a $35 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee for all camp participants. This fee must be paid before Camp USA is able to print DS-2019 forms. Camp USA will provide applicants with SEVIS receipts, which they must bring to the US Embassy as proof of payment.
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During Camp
Q: How many hours will I work each day?
A: Working schedules may vary depending on your position at camp. Counselors generally have at least one hour off per day and then have some free time at night for a few hours. However, some nights you will be required to stay in with your campers to supervise them. Counselors should also have one 24-hour period off per week. Support staff have very long hours and should be prepared to work 10-14 hours per day. In many cases, you will have to wake up early, before the rest of the camp gets up, to prepare for the day. You will get a few hours off during the day, but you might have to work until 8 or 9 at night.
Q. Can I switch camps if I don't like the one I was placed at?
A. InterExchange will try very hard to place you in a camp that suits your personality and interests. We expect all participants to try their hardest to make their placement work. If you’re unhappy at your camp, don’t be afraid to speak with your supervisor to discuss how you can improve your situation. If this conversation does not help, call InterExchange to discuss the problem. It’s quite rare for us to switch a participant to a new camp. However, in some extraordinary circumstances, we may try to do so. There’s no guarantee that we’ll find you a second placement, and you will have to go home if we can’t find you a new job.
Q. What happens if I quit or get fired?
A. Call us immediately! We must speak with you and the director before you leave the camp. All participants must come to our New York office right away so we can assess the situation and determine a reasonable solution. Participants who quit or are fired will have to pay a non-completion fee between $300-$800, and will have to cover any fees related to changing their tickets to return home immediately.
Q. How can I switch my flight home?
A. In most cases, you will need to call your airline directly to change the date of your flight. Depending on which cooperator you came through, you can call one of the travel agencies used by your cooperator to change your ticket. If you are planning on changing your ticket home, you should do so towards the end of July. Do not change your ticket when you first get to camp! You will probably end up changing your travel plans within the first few weeks of camp. Remember that prices will quickly increase as the date of your flight gets closer, so be sure to call as far in advance as possible.
Q. What if I am sick or injured at camp?
A. Your camp's infirmary will be able to help you with most of your problems, but if you need to see a doctor or go to a hospital, remember to bring your insurance card that you received from InterExchange. (Do not go to the emergency room unless it is a serious emergency.) If possible, you should call the insurance company to confirm that the hospital or doctor you are going to see accepts this insurance. Afterwards, make sure you fill out a claim form (you can download this and a copy of the insurance card here) and send it in with the original bills you get from the doctor or hospital. Make sure you make copies of anything you send to the insurance company. Do not go to the emergency room unless it is a serious emergency.
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After Camp
Q. How long can I stay in the USA?
A. You can stay in the USA for 30 days after the end date on your DS-2019 or until October 15th, whichever comes first. All participants must leave the USA by October 15th.
Q. Can I extend my visa?
A. Unfortunately, no. Extensions are not allowed for participants of the InterExchange Camp USA program. When you sign the back of your application, you agree to to return home within 30 days of the end of your program. There are no exceptions. If you do not return home at the end of the program, you will be in violation of your status and subject to arrest and deportation.
Q. How long can I work in the USA?
A. Participants are legally allowed to work at a camp until the end date on their DS-2019 form. After that date, participants CANNOT legally work in the USA.
Q. Can I find another job after camp ends?
A. You are not allowed to work anywhere other than the camp you were placed at. If you would like us to help you find post-camp work at another camp, please call us about 2 weeks before your camp placement ends. We will let you know what camps are looking for post-camp help and help you get in touch with them. You’ll be responsible for arranging this job and your stipend. Be sure to inform us where you will be working after your placement. Remember that you cannot work at any camp past the end date on your DS-2019 form.
Q. Do I need a visa to travel to Canada or Mexico?
A. Some participants may need a visa to travel to these countries, and it will depend on what country they are from. If you are going to travel outside the US during your J-1 Visa period, you will need to get your DS-2019 form signed by an InterExchange representative. Contact us for more information.
Q. My camp took Medicare and Social Security tax out of my paycheck. How do I get my money back?
A. Tell your camp about the mistake on your paycheck and explain you are not supposed to have Social Security and Medicare taken from your pay. Ask your employer to refund the money to you. If you are not able to get a refund from your camp, you can file a claim for a refund with the Internal Revenue Service. Use form 843 Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement. Contact us for more information.
Q. How do I get my taxes back?
A. To get your taxes back, you will need a wage and tax statement (W-2) from your camp and form 1040NR-EZ from the Internal Revenue Service. You should receive your W-2 from your camp by February 15th. You can get the 1040NR-EZ and instructions on the Internal Revenue web site www.irs.gov. Use the information on your W-2 to fill out your 1040NR-EZ and send it to the Internal Revenue Service by April 15th. If you are not sure about filing to get your tax money back, there are companies that will file for you for a small fee. InterExchange recommends that you use a registered tax preparation service such as RT Tax (www.rttax.com) or Taxback (www.taxback.com), among others.
Q. What do I do if I lost my passport/I-94/DS-2019?
A. To obtain a new passport, you will need to contact your embassy or consulate in the USA. You can find a current listing of embassies/consulates at the back of your Inside the USA Guide. To find embassy locations online, visit www.embassyworld.com. To apply for a new I-94 card, you need to visit a USCIS (Immigration and Naturalization Service [INS]) office and file form I-102. To obtain a replacement DS-2019, email the Camp USA office or call 1-800-597-1722.
Q. What if I want to work at my camp again next summer?
A. You should speak with your camp director about this before you leave camp! If they would like to rehire you, you can apply to our Direct Placement / J-1 Visa Sponsorship Program for the following summer. If possible, they should give you a written performance evaluation for the past summer for you to include in your Direct Placement application. You may also want to get a contract or signed agreement from the camp to include in your application. If you want to try another camp, you may return as a second year participant.
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About the Direct Placement Program
Q: Since I’m already hired, do you really need information about my past work experience and what my job at camp will be?
A: Yes. Please fill out the entire application so that we may process it. Participants who applied to the Direct Placement program in previous years must also fill out the application again. We will not accept copies of your old application.
Q: When can I submit my Direct Placement application?
A: As early as possible. We encourage participants to send in their applications as soon as they are complete. We print DS-2019 forms in the order that the applications were received. The earlier you send it in, the earlier you will get your paperwork. However, we recommend that you send in your application at least 2 months before you are supposed to be at camp to ensure that you have enough time to receive the paperwork, get a visa appointment, and find a flight to get you to camp on time.
Q: How long will it take to process my application?
A: Once we receive your completed application, all fees, and confirm your placement with your camp, you will get your DS-2019 and SEVIS receipt within 3 weeks. Often, applications are held up because something is missing from the application, we are missing payment, or we are unable to confirm the placement with your camp. Be sure to send in a complete application with full payment and remind your camp director to fill out the Direct Placement Camp Director’s Form as soon as he or she receives it. Our 3-week guarantee does not apply to applications we receive after the deadline.
Q: When should I apply for my police background check?
A: Immediately. Even if you are just thinking of coming to camp this summer, you should go ahead and apply for your police background check. In many countries, these can take over a month to process, so be sure to apply for it early.
Q: I applied for my police background check but I’m still waiting for it to arrive. Can I send in my application with a receipt for the police background check so you can begin processing it? Can I just send my police background check from last year?
A: Unfortunately, no. We cannot accept a receipt from the police station as a valid police background check. Please wait to send in your application until you have the actual police background check. Do not send in your application without it to try to make the deadline. If the application arrives on time but the police background check comes in after the deadline, the application is still considered late. Your police background check must be dated within the last 6 months, so even if you have one from last summer, you must apply for a new one. Also, be sure to include a translation of your police background check if it is not in English.
Q. Can I fax you my Direct Placement application or the parts of it that are currently missing? A. Please do not fax any part of your application, as faxes are too difficult to read. If you have to, you can send those documents of which we only need a photocopy or printout (passport copy or police background check) as attachments in an email to campusa@interexchange.org.
Q: What is the SEVIS fee and why is it non-refundable?
A: SEVIS (the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) was created by the US Department of State to track student and exchange visitors entering and exiting the country. All J-1 Visa applicants must pay this fee. It is non-refundable, because InterExchange Camp USA must pay the $35 to the U.S. State Department before the SEVIS receipt is issued. Therefore, this fee must be paid before any of your paperwork can be printed, and we cannot return SEVIS receipts to the government for a refund if you are unable to come on the program.
Q: Can I send in my application after the April 30th deadline?
A: Yes, but InterExchange Camp USA cannot guarantee that we will process it. Also, if the application is going to arrive after the April 30th deadline, you must include the appropriate late fee. We are allotted a certain number of DS-2019 forms to distribute each season, and we may run out after the initial deadline. Be sure to apply early to avoid this problem. Our 3-week guarantee does not apply to applications we receive after the deadline. Applications received May 1 to May 7 will incur a $100 late fee. Applications received May 8 to May 21 will incur a $125 late fee. We will not accept any applications after May 21.
Q: I mailed in my application this week and I have my embassy appointment next week. Can you send me my DS-2019 form as soon as you receive my application?
A: No, for two reasons. First, as stated above, we process applications in the order we receive them. Second, aside from our processing time, we are communicating with the US Government to obtain your paperwork, which is a lengthy process. You must schedule your visa appointment within a realistic timeframe. We will process applications as quickly as possible, we will send your paperwork out within 3 weeks of receiving your complete application and confirmation of placement from your camp.
Q: When should I make my visa appointment?
A: You will receive an email from us when all of your paperwork has been processed and sent out to you. You should plan to have your interview about 2 weeks after you receive this email. However, you should do some research into how long it will take to get an interview at the embassy as wait times for interviews vary from country to country. You should check visa wait times at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/wait_4638.html You may also want to try calling the embassy to see how long it will take for you to get an interview. This is especially important during May and June, as embassies are very busy during this time of year. Don’t wait until the last minute to make an appointment. There have been many participants in the past who have waited until late May to try to schedule an interview and were not able to get an appointment in time for them to get to camp.
Q: When should I book my flight?
A: You should wait to book your flight until after the consulate has returned your passport to you with a valid J-1 Visa stamp. Do not book your flight until you are holding your visa in your hand. While we know that it becomes more expensive to buy a ticket at the last minute, you don’t want to lose money on a flight that you can’t make because of a visa denial, or a delay in getting an appointment at the embassy.
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