What Applicants Should Know
Before filling out the InterExchange application, prospective applicants must understand the commitment they are making. Please ensure the applicant understands the program’s expectations. Camp USA is a wonderful experience, but it can be very challenging. It’s an opportunity for personal growth, building grit, and getting outside of their comfort zone.
- Matching with a camp can take a considerable amount of time. It’s not uncommon for the process to take 12 weeks or longer. Apply early and remain patient and open-minded.
- The program is competitive, and getting matched with a camp is not guaranteed. Camps have high expectations for skills and experience with children.
- The hours are long and may require overnight shifts. Counselors will be tired at some point.
- The pay is minimal and taxed. They receive a stipend and room and board. They need to have extra funds to support themselves while they are in the program and have access to emergency funds in case they need to depart camp early.
- Camp Counselors will be living at camp, and opportunities to leave the camp will be limited. Sightseeing and travel will mostly occur during the 30-day travel period following the camp’s completion.
- Counselors must be responsible and mature. They have the most critical job of ensuring the safety and well-being of campers.
- Living conditions may be rustic, with some areas lacking electricity or running water. Climate and temperatures can fluctuate from high to low, depending on the region.
- Camp food is kid-friendly. Expect a lot of processed foods.
- You’ll be expected to speak English.
- Inappropriate touch, comments, or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated at camps and may result in dismissal, as well as an incident report to the Department of State.
- Participants must leave the U.S. upon completion of their program. Participants who do not return home or abscond can seriously jeopardize their health, safety, and the reputation of the program.
The Camp Environment
- The camp environment is a unique setting where every child has the opportunity to explore the outdoors, make new friends, and learn more about themselves. In this setting, the counselor provides structure, safety, and fun. Camp is for campers, and they must always come first!
- Counselors must abide by all camp rules, including curfews. Camp rules and regulations ensure a safe environment for all community members, and although they may be strict, they must be followed.
- Parents expect counselors to treat their children with dignity and respect. Taking care of someone else’s child is a huge responsibility. Counselors must be mature enough to handle stressful situations positively and effectively. Touching, shaming, and punishing children will not be tolerated.
- Being a camp counselor is a 24-hour-a-day job. If a child is sick in the middle of the night, a counselor must attend to the child. However, camps will give counselors at least one 24-hour time off period per week. Time off will vary from camp to camp. A counselor may be entitled to up to two nights off per week. A break may be a few hours off after the campers go to sleep, rather than a whole night off until morning. Many camps will also provide the participant with one period off during the day (approximately 45 minutes to one hour).
- Working at camp is not a vacation. Participants are here as cultural exchange visitors supporting their host camps, and they must ensure that they are fulfilling their work obligations while gaining the full benefits of learning about and living in the U.S.
- Camps offer a variety of sleeping facilities, including cabins, tents, A-frames, and dorms. Facilities range in ruggedness.
- Living facilities will be more rustic than participants may be used to. For example, there are some sleeping facilities with no electricity. Participants should maintain an open mind.
- The bathroom facilities may be within the cabin or in a centralized location. Either way, the participant will have little to no privacy at camp and may be expected to help with cleaning.
- Each camp will have different rules regarding dress codes. Some camps may not have a dress code at all. However, each camp has a specific image that it wants to project to parents. The participant should not be offended if they are asked to modify their appearance while at camp (i.e., removing a piercing or covering up a tattoo). Participants should not drastically alter their appearance once they are hired at camp by dyeing their hair an extreme color, getting tattoos, or getting body piercings.
- Camps may have strict policies regarding alcohol and/or smoking.
- Working at a Special Needs camp can be extra challenging, but it is also very rewarding. Counselors may be responsible for the personal care of adult campers and for caring for individuals with unique physical or mental limitations. Applicants should be sure to ask a lot of questions during their interview with a Special Needs camp and ensure they understand everything that will be expected of them.
- If a counselor quits or is fired, they should expect to leave camp the same day. This may appear abrupt or unfair, but it is the least disruptive to the camp community.
Types of Camps
There are various types of camps across the United States, each catering to different interests, age groups, and activities. The overarching purpose of all camps, however, is to ensure that each child has a safe and fun summer experience. Almost all camps are located in beautiful rural areas, so participants should not expect to have access to big cities or even big towns. We ask applicants to choose at least three camp types they are willing to work at on their application. Selecting camp preferences will not prevent other camps from viewing their application, but it can help with the filtering process. They will choose from the following options: Traditional/Private, Underprivileged, All-Boys, All-Girls, Special Needs, Religious (Christian), Religious (Jewish), and Day Camps.
Below is a brief description of the different camps that fall under those categories. If you have any questions about a particular camp, please don’t hesitate to ask us. We visit many of the camps we work with.
Traditional Overnight Camps: These are residential camps where campers stay overnight and participate in a variety of outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, arts and crafts, and sports. These camps can be co-ed, all-girls, or all-boys.
Day Camps: Local camps that offer daytime activities without overnight stays. Their activities can include sports, arts, science projects, and field trips. The camps must provide on-site or nearby housing.
Specialty Camps: Focus on specific interests or skills such as music, dance, robotics, chess, or drama. These camps provide intensive training in a particular area.
Adventure Camps: Emphasize outdoor experiences like rock climbing, camping, canoeing, and survival skills. They often aim to build confidence and teamwork.
Academic Camps: Designed to combine education with fun, they may focus on STEM subjects, language learning, or educational enrichment.
Sports Camps: Focus on training in specific sports such as soccer, basketball, tennis, or gymnastics, often taught by professional coaches.
Arts and Creative Camps encompass a range of disciplines, including visual arts, theater, dance, writing, and other creative pursuits, fostering artistic development.
Leadership Camps: Aim to develop leadership, teamwork, and social skills through group activities, challenges, and workshops.
Wilderness and Survival Camps: Focus on nature skills, camping, survival techniques, and environmental education.
Special Needs Camps: These camps provide tailored activities and support for children and adults with physical, mental, emotional, or developmental disabilities. They prioritize inclusivity and accessibility, often employing trained staff to meet individual needs.
Religious Camps: Focused on spiritual growth and religious education, these camps incorporate faith-based activities, worship services, and values-based programs, while also offering traditional camp activities and experiences. They aim to nurture faith and community among participants.
Underprivileged camps are explicitly designed to serve children and youth from low-income or marginalized backgrounds. These camps aim to provide equitable access to the benefits of camp experiences, such as outdoor activities, social interactions, skill development, and fun, which might otherwise be unavailable to them due to financial or social barriers. These camps play a crucial role in helping disadvantaged youth develop new skills, build self-esteem, and create positive memories and relationships.