Staff Training
It is the responsibility of your Camp to organise your transport from the airport to Camp and they should communicate the plans for this to you ahead of your departure.
Upon arrival at Camp you will be assigned a bed, that is usually temporary until you get assigned to your specific age group. You will be given time to settle in and get to know the other staff you are staying with, usually at a dinner, social event or campfire.
You should expect to get stuck in with Camp training and activities as soon as you arrive. Don’t be shy, get involved and try to get to know as many people as possible, soon enough you will feel settled!
Upon arrival you will be required to “Check-In” on your Matchio portal to validate your Visa. This lets AmeriCamp, as your Visa Sponsor, know that you have arrived at Camp safely and confirm that you are not missing. If you do not Check-in upon arrival we will be prompted to contact your Camp and the appropriate authorities about your whereabouts.
Checking-in also activates your Medical Insurance and allows us to generate your insurance card. This can then be issued to you within a couple days of check-in so that you have it if needed in a medical emergency.
Every Camp will provide training to their staff upon arrival to help you feel fully equipped for the summer. The contents of the training will vary Camp to Camp but will most likely include a First Aid course, information about the Camps rules, regulations and safety measures, and you may even have the opportunity to learn a new skill such as lifeguarding or high ropes.
During your 1 - 2 week staff training period, you will be expected to fully engage with the training and will potentially be required to do some Camp beautification or manual labour such as moving beds, cleaning up Camp facilities or setting up your activity area. It can be physically demanding but this will also be a great opportunity to bond with the other staff you are working with.
During this time, you will also be assigned to the age group you will be living with, as well as to co-counsellors you are living with. Co-counsellors are the other members of staff that also live in the same cabin/tent as you, and who you will work in a team with to care for your campers.
A Social Security number (or SSN) is a nine-digit identification number issued by the US government to all citizens, permanent residents, and temporary working residents to track their earnings and tax - much like a National Insurance Number in the UK.
It is mandatory that all participants are issued a SSN in order to be paid legally in the US, as your Camp employers will use your SSN to report your earnings to the IRS for tax purposes. You will not be able to be paid, pay tax or apply for additional Visas for employment or study in the US without a SSN.
Camp will usually plan a specific time during the staff training period for new international staff to attend a Social Security office to be issued Social Security Numbers (SSN), but it is ultimately your responsibility to make sure this is completed.
At the Social Security office you will need to bring any documentation required at the US Border including your passport and DS-2019. You will be issued a SSN that will remain the same for life. It is essential that you keep this number safe, as it may be difficult to retrieve and is required for tax purposes or to apply for additional US Visas in the future.
If you are a returning applicant who has forgotten their SSN please refer to our Returner Section.