Leaving Camp Early

Procedures in the event that you decide to leave Camp early.

What do I do if I want to leave Camp early?

If you are considering leaving Camp early, whether it be that you are struggling to adjust to Camp or have a family emergency, you should:

Start by speaking to your Camp leadership. If there is anything they can do to help you stay, they will be able to discuss this with you.
If you do decide to leave Camp you should contact our US team as soon as possible. They are available for non-emergencies from 9AM - 5PM Eastern Time, Monday - Friday during the summer.
Then plan your travel. It is your responsibility to book all travel including flights and potentially transport to the airport if it cannot be provided by Camp.

Can I switch Camps?

On rare occasions, we may be able to re-place applicants at alternate Camps if they experience issues at their original Camp placement. This is not guaranteed and can only be granted if an alternate placement is available.

Will I still be paid if I elect to leave Camp early?

Yes, if you elect to leave Camp early you will still be paid for the period you worked, but not the entire minimum salary of $2250.

What are some reasons why I may be dismissed from Camp?

If you are found to have broken Camp rules, or aren’t performing as expected, Camps are able to terminate your placement with no notice. Employers in the US are often classified as ‘At Will’, meaning your employment can be ended at any time.

Some of the reasons why you could be dismissed from Camp include:

Inappropriate behaviour or offensive language in front of campers.
Drinking alcohol or smoking/vaping at Camp, or returning to Camp intoxicated.
Poor work ethic or breaking Camp rules.
Breaking the law.

What do I do if I am dismissed from Camp?

If you are dismissed from Camp, you will be required to leave within 30 minutes of dismissal and will be taken to the closest town or city. From there it is your responsibility to plan transport or hotels.

You must contact the US emergency line immediately on +1-888-433-5594 to confirm your next steps. The US Government will then be notified and your J-1 Visa will be cancelled. Your 30-day grace period will then be activated and you must leave the country within this period.

Will I still be paid if I am dismissed from Camp?

Yes, if you are dismissed from Camp you will still be paid for the period you worked, but not the entire minimum salary of $2250.

Can I leave Camp temporarily and come back?

On rare occasions and in the case of emergency, you can temporarily leave Camp if authorised by your Camps leadership. You would need to contact AmeriCamp once in country to issue a travel validation on your Visa. We cannot guarantee this will be granted.