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During your 30 day grace period after Camp, you can travel absolutely anywhere in the US. This does not include US territories but does include states outside of the mainland (Hawaii and Alaska).

Your 30 days starts from the day after your Camp contract ends and you must leave within 30 days of that date. For example, if your Camp ended on August 15th, you would then have 30 days from August 16th - September 14th to travel, but would need to leave within this time. 

You do not need to stay the full 30 days and can leave the US any time within that 30 day travel period. This period cannot be extended and you cannot overstay beyond 30 days on your J-1 Visa.

You have a grace period of up to 30 days to travel after Camp.

On your AmeriCamp Medical Insurance, no, you cannot refill a prescription. If you need to refill a prescription while in the US (if your medication were to get lost or damaged for example) you would need your own additional medical insurance that covers for pre-existing conditions.

You can usually go to your Camps Infirmary or Medical Center whenever you need to take your medication, as long as your children are appropriately supervised. In most cases, you will have campers that take a daily medication, so it may be possible for you to time it so that you take your medication at the same time as them.

Your medication will usually be held at your Camps Infirmary or Medical Center if you are staying overnight with campers, so that they are not able to access it. 

At Day Camps you may be able to keep this in your dorm/lodge, but this is not guaranteed.

Yes, if you are on a prescription medication, we recommend contacting your GP to confirm if you will be able to receive an advance prescription to cover for your entire time out in the US which could be up to 3 months.

Workers' compensation is the insurance that provides medical care to employees who suffer job-related injuries. This means that if you are injured while doing your job on Camp, treatment for this injury will be covered by your Camps insurance. 

For example, if you are a soccer coach and you sprain your ankle while demonstrating kicking, this would be covered by workers compensation and you should consult with your Camp about this.

We cannot support with medical bills received during or after Camp. Please contact the insurance provider using the details on the insurance brochure you receive via email prior to departure. 

If you did not contact them ahead of receiving treatment, it is likely you will receive a bill. You may be able to make a claim for this amount through your insurance but if that treatment is not covered, you will have to pay this bill.

You should contact the insurance provider, using the details on the insurance brochure you receive via email prior to departure, to assess if they can provide additional guidance.

If you are admitted to an urgent care or hospital, where possible call the insurance provider before receiving care to verify your treatment will be covered. The contact details for the insurance provider will be on the insurance brochure you receive via email prior to departure.

You will receive an insurance card once you’ve completed your “Check-In” on Matchio, through Matchio or via email.

Yes, the medical insurance covers you from the day you enter the US to the day you leave. This means that if you were to require medical attention when not at Camp, you would still be covered, as long as you are in the US on your J-1 Visa. 

If you exit the US and re-enter on an ESTA, this insurance would no longer be valid and you would need your own medical insurance for this period of travel.

The medical insurance we provide as part of our program fees does not cover for pre-existing conditions. This means that if you have a pre-existing condition of any kind and you were to need medical attention at any point during your time in the US, the insurance we provide may not be accepted to cover these costs. This is possible even if the claim is not directly related to your pre-existing condition.

For this reason, you will need to seek out additional insurance for your time in the US, if you do have a pre-existing condition, to ensure you will be covered in any and all eventualities.

Please refer to your insurance policy brochure, which will be issued to you via email prior to departure, for details of what is covered.

Although AmeriCamp provides comprehensive medical insurance, we do not provide travel insurance. For this reason, we would recommend seeking travel insurance prior to your departure to cover for any flight cancellations or baggage loss/theft/damage.

AmeriCamp provides comprehensive medical insurance as part of your program fees that will cover you for your entire time in the US including at Camp, on days off and when travelling after Camp.

This medical insurance does not cover for pre-existing conditions.

Most of our Camps are located in quite remote and rural areas, surrounded by nature and the beauty of the outdoors. This can be difficult to adjust to at first, as it may be very different to what you are used to, but will be a perfect escape from everyday life. 

You should expect: 

• Beautiful scenery 
• Limited access to electricity and Wifi 
• Unpredictable weather conditions, including extreme heat and storms
• Coming into contact with bugs and wildlife of the local area 

If you want more details about the specific accommodation and facilities at Camps follow the link here. 

Most Camps will be equipped with an Infirmary or Medical Center, staffed by nurses who will be able to help you with minor injuries. If you are injured, you should speak to your Camp leadership about accommodations and any time off you may need to recover. 

If you need emergency medical attention, someone at Camp will take you to the closest urgent care unit where you can seek help from a doctor. Make sure to call your insurance  provider before receiving care of any kind to check it will be covered by your policy. If the injury occurred while you were doing your job (e.g. you are a soccer coach and you sprain your ankle while demonstrating kicking) then this will be covered by workers compensation (your Camps insurance). 

Most Camps will be equipped with an Infirmary or Medical Center, staffed by nurses who will be able to help you if you are unwell. If you are not feeling well, you should speak to your Camp leadership about accommodations and any time off you may need to recover. 

If you need emergency medical attention, someone at Camp will take you to the closest urgent care unit where you can seek help from a doctor. Make sure to call your insurance provider before receiving care of any kind to check it will be covered by your policy. 

In most cases, yes, however it depends on the severity of the condition. Camp is an incredibly physically and emotionally demanding environment where you will be outdoors, potentially working long days, taking part in physical activity, and dealing with hot or unpredictable weather. Due to this, for some people the Camp environment is not conducive with their medical condition and they struggle with heightened symptoms. 

Using our expertise in Camp expectations and conditions and a history of data from previous AmeriCamp participants, we have generated a set of policies regarding physical fitness that must be met. We have a Medical Follow Up process where we will contact all applicants with a pre-existing condition to assess whether they meet these prerequisites on an individual basis. In most cases you will be accepted to the program, but if for any reason we deem your pre-existing condition too severe for participation in the program, you would receive a full refund of program fees. 

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. If this does happen, please contact the US emergency line immediately on +1-888-433-5594. For more information about being dismissed from Camp, please go to our Leaving Camp Early page.

In the unlikely event that this were to happen, you would need to contact our US emergency line ASAP on +1-888-433-5594.

Yes, you can typically drive for a short period in the US on a valid UK or Irish Driving Licence. This does vary by state though, so always check local laws and regulations. Insurance is often tied to the car, rather than the driver, but always make sure you are fully insured to drive the specific vehicle.

• Sexual Misconduct and Consent: This is an extremely important expectation at Camp, and anyone found to violate this will be removed from Camp immediately. Law enforcement may also be involved, and your Visa will be terminated. Criminal convictions of sexual assault could lead to your being barred from entry to the US.
• Curfew: Camps will have curfews in place in the evenings when you are off duty, and expect staff to follow these for their own safety and wellbeing. Usually you will be required to be in your cabin/tent by a certain time and could face disciplinary action if you are not. Remember, Camp does this for your benefit - sleep is incredibly important at Camp, and you should try and get an early night when you can. 
• Safety equipment: Safety equipment is vital at Camp in all areas and departments, and is designed to protect both campers and counselors. You must pay close attention to all training given to you in your staff training period, and if you are unsure of anything, raise this straight away with your supervisor. 
• Phone Use: Phone policies will vary between Camps, but in general phones aren’t allowed to be used whilst you are working and with campers. Camp may provide you with a safe locker to store your phone, and you will be able to use your phone during your time off. 
• Child safeguarding: The safeguarding of children at Camp is of utmost importance, and must be your priority at all times. If you see something that you are not comfortable with, you must report it to a supervisor. Your Camp training will cover this in more detail.
• Drills and fire safety: During your staff training Camp, will run you through important fire and safety procedures. It is really important to understand this thoroughly in the unlikely event something occurs. 

Marijuana is legal in some states, but most Camps have a strict no drugs policy. Make sure to read your Camp’s policy handbook for further information.

Most Camps have strict no smoking or vaping policies on Camp, including during your time off. Read your Camp's policy handbook for further information.

The legal drinking age in all 50 states is 21. It is illegal to drink if you are under 21, and it is illegal to purchase alcohol for anyone under 21. Regardless of age, all Camps will have a strict no alcohol on site policy that must be followed.

If you have concerns about your pay while at Camp, such as you have not been paid when expected or the amount expected, you should first speak with Camp leadership to ensure no errors have been made. 

If issues persist, you can contact our US team and they will help you rectify this with Camp. They are available from 9AM - 5PM Eastern Time, Monday - Friday, over the summer, to field any questions or concerns.

Yes, you will be required to complete a tax return and will likely be charged a fee for State and/or Federal tax. For more information about this please go to our Taxes page here.

Some Camps do pay more than others, especially for more specialised roles or leadership positions, however AmeriCamp can only guarantee a salary of $2,250 (before tax). Any amount over this is up to the discretion of your Camp.

The frequency of payments depends on your Camp, so please ensure that you verify this with your Camp prior to departure. To give you an idea of what to expect, some Camps pay you on a weekly or fortnightly basis, and others will pay you a lump sum at the end of the summer.

How you are paid will vary depending on your Camp, so please ensure that you verify this procedure with your Camp prior to departure. To give you an idea of what to expect, some Camps will set staff up with an American bank account and others will pay in cheques or cash. 

AmeriCamp guarantees all applicants a minimum salary of $2,250 (before tax). Salaries will vary based on your specific Camp and role, so you may make more than this minimum amount.

If you suspect a camper is experiencing abuse, either at Camp or at home, a typical safeguarding response would be: 

• Report suspected abuse to your safeguarding lead (usually the Camp Director or Unit Leader) immediately. 
• Stay calm and listen when campers report abuse to you. Do not ask leading questions and just let them speak. 
• Avoid making promises you cannot keep, such as promising to keep reports of abuse a secret, as they do need to be reported. 
• Keep note of changes in behaviour or repeated signs of abuse and report this to your safeguarding lead. 
• Do not confront any people you suspect may be involved or spread information of the suspected abuse to your peers. 

The Rule of Three is a common child safeguarding policy at Camps, that prevents staff from being alone with a Camper on a 1-on-1 basis. The rule states that a minimum of 3 people should be present: usually two staff members and one Camper, or one staff member and two campers. 

This is a policy that the majority of Camps will train staff on during the staff training period. The purpose is not only to protect campers from abuse, but also to protect counsellors from false accusations of abuse, by making sure interactions are fully witnessed and appropriate. 

In situations where you need a private moment with a camper to comfort them when distressed, for example, you should still be remaining completely visible and within earshot of other staff. 

Safeguarding at Camp is the proactive policies, procedures, and practices implemented to protect campers from harm, abuse and neglect. Maintaining a Camps safeguarding policies is the responsibility of all staff and involves protecting children from harm and creating an environment where they are safe. It's one of the most important parts of being a counselor, and you'll receive training on your Camps safeguarding procedures before campers arrive.

Safeguarding involves the following: 

• Keeping children physically safe - by supervising activities appropriately and maintaining health and safety regulations. 
• Protecting children's wellbeing - by treating campers with kindness and respect and recognising the signs of bullying and discrimination. 
• Recognizing signs of abuse - by noticing changes in behaviour, unexplained injuries, or concerning information campers share with you, that could indicate abuse at Camp or at home. You are not expected to investigate these situations yourself, but to report any and all concerns to Camp leadership. Your role is to listen appropriately and always avoid making promises you can't keep, such as promising to keep reports of abuse a secret. 
• Maintaining professional boundaries - by being a counsellor and not a friend. You should not touch campers inappropriately, use inappropriate language or connect with your campers on social media. You should respect the privacy of your campers and avoid being alone with them by using the Rule of Three. 

CIT (Counsellor in training) and LIT (Leader in training) are leadership programs at Camp for older campers usually 15 - 17 years old. These are usually longtime campers who are preparing to become counsellors in the near future. During the program they will learn leadership skills, teamwork, and how to work with younger campers by supporting in Cabins or during activities. 

If you're assigned a CIT or LIT with your activity or cabin group, you should act as a role model to them on how to work well with campers. They are still campers so you should maintain the professional boundary you would with campers of any age, while giving them the respect and responsibility of a fellow counsellor. 

In most roles at overnight Camps, you will be expected to live with your campers. The only exceptions to this are if you are at a Day Camp where the children do not stay overnight or if you are in a specialised or leadership position where you may be in staff-only housing. 

Don’t let this put you off, as living with your campers is part of the fun of Camp. This is how you form incredible bonds with the children in your care. 

You can usually express a preference, but there's no guarantee you'll get your first choice, as Camp leadership will put you with the age range they feel you will be most suited to. 

During your staff training period you should receive some information on the different age groups and what to expect from them, and then will usually be given a chance to express a preference. Following this, it is up to your Camps leadership where you are needed, and this could change during the summer in accordance with your Camps staffing needs. 

In your cabin group there could be anywhere between 5 - 15 campers that are under your care. At most residential Camps, you will have a group of campers that are your responsibility during Camp routines such as meal times and bedtime, however you will come into contact with hundreds of campers each summer through teaching and coaching activities, or during Camp-wide events.

Most campers are from the US, but exactly where depends on the Camp. Some Camps mainly attract children from the nearby states, while others have campers from all over the US and around the world. 

Based on Camp Type you should expect campers to be from the following communities: 

• At most traditional Camps: campers will be from middle to upper class backgrounds, where their families are paying partial or full Camp fees.
• At Non-Profit or Underprivileged Camps: campers will be from lower socio-economic backgrounds or in foster care.
• At Religious Camps: campers will be from religious communities.
• At Special Needs Camps: campers will have a range of special needs or disabilities. 

In regards to their personalities and needs:

• Younger campers (6–11): Have lots of energy and are less independent. They need help with routines, like getting ready for bed, and more attentive supervision.
• Older campers (12–16): Are more independent and may have been to Camp for several years. They will be more accustomed to routines but may struggle more with relationship conflict, emotional difficulties and bullying. 

At the majority of Camps the children will be between 6 - 15 years old. 

The exceptions to this are:

• At Day Camps there may be children younger than 6, getting their first taste of Camp but not staying away from home overnight.
• At Special Needs Camps there may be vulnerable young adults over the age of 15.
• Your Camp may have CIT’s or LIT’s (counsellors/leaders in training) who are campers ages 15 - 17 years old, learning to be counsellors of the future.