Returning to Camp

A guide to the returner application process including required documentation and fees.

When do returner applications open?

Returner applications open slightly later than First Timer applications, usually in the early autumn, but it changes year to year. You can check the Returners Page of our website to see if we are currently accepting applications.

Do I apply as a returner if I want to go back to the same Camp I have been to previously?

Yes, you will apply on our Returners Page under one of the following categories:

Returner: You are going back to Camp for the second time
Returner 3 Year +: You are going back to Camp for the third year or more

Do I apply as a returner if I want to go back to a different Camp?

No, if you want to go to a different Camp and you need our help finding a position, you will apply again as a First Timer on our Apply page.

If you have found your own placement at a new Camp, you can apply as a Direct Placement on our Returner page.

How much does the AmeriCamp program cost for returners?

The AmeriCamp program costs for returners are:

Paid in full: £395
Paid in stages: £410 with only a £99 deposit to secure your spot!

What do my AmeriCamp fees cover as a returner?

Your application fee, i.e. the cost to ensure your documentation is submitted to and processed by our US office
Your Visa sponsorship, which allows you to work and earn money legally in the USA
Your DS-2019, which is the certificate of eligibility for your J-1 Visa
Your SEVIS fee
Medical insurance for the entire duration of your time in the USA
The full Camp experience including all accommodation and food whilst at Camp

Will I be paid more as a returner?

It is possible for you to be paid more as a returner as you can negotiate your salary with Camp, however we still only guarantee a minimum salary of $2250 (before tax) for returners.

What parts of the application will I need to complete as a returner?

If you have been through AmeriCamp previously, all sections of your application will transfer to your new profile through Matchio. You will however, need to complete a new Background Check and Medical Evaluation Form.

Your references and interview from your first year of participation will carry over for 3 summers, but must be updated on the fourth summer. This means if you are attending for a fourth time through AmeriCamp, you will be required to re-interview to confirm your Visa sponsorship.

If you have not been through AmeriCamp before, you will need to complete a full application (except the Application Video) and an AmeriCamp interview in order for us to confirm we are able to sponsor your Visa.

Can I use my Camps Medical Form?

Yes, if you have been through AmeriCamp before and you are going back to Camp as a returner, you can use your Camps medical form instead of our Medical Evaluation Form if this is more cost effective for you.

What do I do if I have forgotten my Social Security Number?

Please contact your Camp directly. They should have your social security number on record and be able to provide you with this. AmeriCamp will never have this information.

Can I do AmeriCamp again if I was fired from a Camp previously?

This is dependent on the reason you were dismissed from your Camp and if you left in good standing with AmeriCamp. To assess your eligibility, you can contact AmeriCamp but we do reserve the right to reject your application.