How can we help?
Find answers to common questions about the AmeriCamp program.
Yes, you can contact AmeriCamp to change your availability dates at any point before being placed.
You can list a general estimation of your availability dates, and contact AmeriCamp to change these later down the line once you know for sure when you will be available. Please note that at a minimum applicants must be available before June 18th and up to August 15th.
Yes, you can contact AmeriCamp to change your preferences at any time before being placed.
We require all applicants to select a minimum of 4 types of Camps they would be interested in to ensure them the best chance of being placed. In the hiring portal, Camp Directors will filter their search for staff by the types of Camps they are interested in. So simply put, if their Camp type does not appear in your application, then you cannot be seen by them. This means the fewer Camp types you are interested in, the fewer hiring opportunities you have.
We work with hundreds of Camps across the US, that are all totally unique! For a full run down of the types of Camps we work with, check out our Camp Types page linked here.
We advise against using AI tools to write your application. The text in your application should be entirely your own original work and help Camps get a sense of you and your personality. The use of generative AI writing assistants to draft your submission will remove the personal touch Camps are looking for and most likely will not fully represent your true experience.
Applications found to contain AI-generated content will be returned to draft for you to update. Your application will not be submitted to Camps until this is updated.
It is important to make a good first impression on Camps, which starts with proper spelling, grammar and punctuation use in the written sections of your application. If you struggle with this, we would advise using a grammar checker such as Grammarly to check the text you have written is ready to submit to Camps.
If your documents are not uploading to any of the upload fields on Matchio, it is likely they are too large or in the wrong format:
- Profile photos should be a PNG, JPEG or WEBP
- All other document uploads should be PDFs
If your file is not in the correct format you can convert it using a free online conversion tool, such as iLove.PDF.com.
The maximum file size across Matchio is 15 MB. If your file is too large you can compress it using an online compressing tool, such as iLove.PDF.com.
In the proudest achievement section of your application you should avoid talking about personal challenges surrounding family, health and relationships, and instead focus on your personal achievements that are relevant to Camp.
For example, you could include:
- Any accolade or award you have won
- A new skill you have gained or qualification you received
- An academic challenge you faced and overcame
- Recognition you received at school, in a club, or at work or volunteering
- A personal quality, skill or attribute you are particularly proud of
In the work experience section of your AmeriCamp application, you should include any and all experience where you have cared for, supported, supervised, taught, entertained, or helped children. You can also include any other volunteering or work experience that could be relevant to Camp, where you have learnt transferable skills such as communication, leadership or teamwork.
Examples of experience working with children you could include:
- Babysitting for friends and family
- Being a coach or leader in your chosen skill
- Volunteering at your local primary school, guides/scouts or youth group
- Working in a hospitality or retail setting where you interact with children
- Tutoring or peer mentoring
When writing about your experience working with children you should include:
- The ages of the children
- How often you looked after them
- What responsibilities you had
- The skills you learnt from this
It’s important to note that you do not need to have worked with children in a professional capacity to work at Camp, but you should be able to show an enthusiasm for working with children and display transferable skills.
Your profile photo is often the first impression Camp directors have of you when hiring on the online portal, so make sure you choose a photo that is clear, smiley and professional.
Your photo should:
- Be a clear image of your smiling face in good lighting
- Include just you and no one else
- Be Camp appropriate - think family-friendly (no visible alcohol or inappropriate dress)
- Have been taken recently - do not post a childhood photo
If you are accessing Matchio from the original invite email, this link can only be used to initially create your account. Once you have made an account, you should use app.matchio.com to retrieve your application. You can reset your password if needed.
This is usually due to an age restriction on Apple devices when trying to access Matchio.
- If the site is restricted and you are currently under 18, we recommend trying to access Matchio from a computer or non-Apple device.
- If the site is restricted and you are over 18, you should be able to verify your age in the settings of your iPhone to access Matchio.
- If you are using a non-Apple device, you may be using an expired link. Try logging in again at app.matchio.com.
- If you are still experiencing issues, please contact AmeriCamp.
You will receive an email from Matchio when there is feedback on your application. Once you login, you will see a red feedback note on a specific section. Once you make the edit and re-submit the section, we will review this section again and let you know if any further changes are required.
If you need further clarity, or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
If a section of your application is in Sponsor review, this means our team over in the US are double checking over everything before your application goes live to Camps on the online hiring portal. If they think it could be improved at all, they will provide some feedback and revert it back to Draft for you to update.
You will automatically be sent a link to activate your Matchio account after you pay your program fees. You should create an account and save your password so you can log back in whenever you need to.
Matchio is the platform where you will complete your application - it is totally user-friendly and it should be clear how to use it once you are signed in. Once you have begun completing your application, we will individually review each section of your application and provide feedback where necessary.
You will also use Matchio to receive interview requests from Camps, download your DS-2019, access your placement information and share your flight details with AmeriCamp.
As per our placement guarantee, as long as you are responsive to Camps and meet any application deadlines set, you would receive a full refund of your program fees if you are not placed at a Camp by June 1st of the year of participation. We do have an incredibly high placement rate though, so this is unlikely to happen.
This will vary based on when and why you cancel your application. Please refer to our refund policy or program agreement for further detail.
AmeriCamp guarantees all applicants a minimum salary of $2,250 (before tax). Salaries will vary based on your specific Camp and role, so may make more than this minimum amount.
No, you will never be charged automatically as AmeriCamp fees do not work on a subscription basis. Payments can only be made and authorised by you when you pay directly on the payment portal.
- Flights to and from Camp (Price Varies)
- Medical Evaluation form signed by GP or Medical Professional (approx. free - £60)
- Background Check - £85
- US Embassy Fee - $185 USD (approx. £140 or €160)
- Travel to and from the US Embassy (Price Varies)
- Any additional travel or medical insurance you require (Price Varies)
- Your application fee, i.e. the cost of us working with you to complete your application, and ensure it is submitted to and processed by our US office.
- Full access to our pool of Camps so you can get placed.
- 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
The AmeriCamp program costs:
- Paid in full: £399
- Paid in stages: £419 with only a £49 deposit to secure your spot!
For a full breakdown of costs and how to pay today, check out the What You Pay page on our website.
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.
The majority of Camps will organise a bus or taxi service to collect you at the airport they instruct you to arrive at. You will most likely be travelling with a group of staff from your Camp, often from around the world, who have arrived at the airport on the same date as yourself. If you are asked to travel to Camp by public transport, they will provide detailed instructions on how to do this.
The weather at Camp will vary based on where you are located in the US, but generally summers are warm and sunny with daytime temperatures ranging between 20–35°C. You may find the summer starts on the chillier side of that scale in May or June, but things will heat up by August.
Weather is also unpredictable and rain and lightning storms are common, especially in areas with high humidity and pressure.
Since you will be spending a lot of time outdoors, it is important to be prepared, so check out our Packing advice for more information on this.
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 from 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.
Wherever you are, Camp and the surrounding area will have something unique and special to offer. You may be in a rural location in the woods by a lakeside at an overnight residential Camp or you may be closer to a city at one of our Day Camps - it totally depends on where you get placed. However, in general our Camps will allow you to live in nature and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.
Since we work with hundreds of Camps across the US you could get hired just about anywhere. Because of this we always recommend not getting too hung up on one particular city or state. One of the special parts of the Camp Counsellor program is being able to immerse yourself in the culture of an area you may have never had the chance to experience otherwise.
If there is somewhere in particular you want to visit, you can travel just about anywhere in the US during your 30 day Post-Camp travel grace period!
We work with hundreds of Camps across the US in almost every state so you could get hired just about anywhere. In general, the majority of summer Camps tend to be in the north east of the country, in states like Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. However, we also have several Camps in the south, midwest and west coast.
Your required level of experience will depend on the Camp, as some are looking to hire more highly qualified specialists than others. In general, you should have been doing your particular skill for at least a year on a relatively regular basis, and ideally would have some experience in teaching or coaching it, whether in a formal or informal setting.
This will also depend on the particular skill - some examples include:
- For activities like gymnastics, horse riding or woodworking - these are higher risk and require more safety precautions, so more experience will be required.
- For activities like high ropes, archery and lifeguarding - these skills are trainable and can be developed through a course during your Camps staff training period, but you should have some experience that you can build upon.
- For activities like arts and crafts, dance and theatre - these are low risk, so having done these at school or in your spare time might be sufficient.
- For activities like photography, videography and digital media - and other skilled creative activities, you may need to be able to provide a portfolio of your work.
You will also most likely still be living in a cabin with children as an activity leader, but may not stay with them the entire day. This means you could get the chance to live with one age group, but then teach a lot of other age groups throughout the day.
Activity leaders are responsible for running activities on Camp, usually in a particular skill or set of skills, such as a sport, performing art, or watersport. As an activity leader, you will plan activities and run sessions with the children to teach them your skill throughout the day.
This type of role tends to be the most sought after by applicants to the Camp Counsellor program, so these positions can get filled up earlier in the season. We recommend making sure you have experience working with children to stand out as a candidate for a general counsellor position and showing your interest in a wide range of activities in your application.
The Camp types most likely to hire for this role are YMCA’s, Girl Scouts and other Non-Profit organizations, so look out for these Camps hiring at our Camp Fairs if you think a general counselor role is right for you.
You don't need to be skilled in any particular activity to be a general counsellor, but you should have experience working with children. Camps are looking for people who are bubbly, friendly, great communicators and jacks of all trades, so you are ready to get stuck in with a little bit of everything. If you enjoy working with children and getting involved in all aspects of Camp, a general counselor role is a great fit.
General counsellors will usually be living in cabins with the children, looking after them at meals and downtime and taking them from activity to activity. As a general counsellor, you might get to take part in the activities yourself or try your hand at teaching/running a range of activities throughout the day.
There are a variety of roles on Camp that you might be hired for through AmeriCamp. Every Camp runs slightly differently, so they will be able to provide a full breakdown of the roles during the interview process.
To summarise what you might expect from your role as a Camp Counsellor, we tend to categorise it under 2 umbrellas - General Counsellor and Activity Leader. These are not the only options though, as every Camp runs completely differently and your role may involve an overlap of these roles or be something slightly different, like a lifeguard.
The best thing to do is to be open minded - Camps know who suits which roles best and you might be surprised by the offers that come your way!
We work with hundreds of Camps across the US, that are all totally unique! To help you understand what type of Camp you may work at, we break these down into several Camp Type categories:
Traditional Camps
Most of our Camps come under this bracket. They will have a huge variety of activities and will typically be nestled by a beautiful lakeside. Campers live in cabins or tents by age group with their counsellors. Most Traditional Camps run overnight with children who stay for several weeks at a time. Blended Camp types are common, so traditional Camps can also be:
- Religious
- Single gender
- Speciality etc.
Specialty Camps
A Speciality Camp is built around one main passion. As well as offering a little bit of everything like a traditional Camp, specialty Camps will have a specific focus that they offer at a higher level such as Performing Arts, Sports, Equestrian etc. Speciality Camps will also have traditional activities such as swimming, Campfires and sports, the campers just spend more time training in their chosen discipline.
Underprivileged and Non-Profit Camps
Camps run by non-profit organisations or the YMCA focus less on luxury facilities and more on inclusion, personal growth, and positive role models for children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Activities are often very similar to traditional Camps, with swimming in the pool or lake, Campfires, outdoor adventure, and team sports. Underprivileged Camps are often more diverse, and may support children facing challenges at home or in foster care.
Day Camps
At Day Camps, campers arrive in the morning and head home in the afternoon, rather than staying overnight. During the day, you will still support campers through a range of Camp activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, sports, and more. These Camps are often based nearer major cities, meaning great access to attractions on your days off. You will live with your fellow counsellors in shared staff housing or accommodation arranged by the Camp.
Single Gender Camps
Single Gender Camps are for either all boys or all girls, but can fall into any of the other categories. Many single gender Camps have a brother or sister Camp across the lake or down the road, and they often do Camp-wide events together. These Camps may only hire people of the same gender, but some hire both male and female staff to support their programs.
Girl Scout Camps
Girl Scout Camps are rooted in the values of the Girl Scouts of America. They focus on leadership, confidence, outdoor skills, and empowering girls to discover who they are and what they’re capable of. They may be more rural, with activities including watersports, mountaineering and outdoor adventure.
Religious Camps
The majority of faith-based Camps are for campers from Christian or Jewish backgrounds. They will provide the Traditional Camp experience with an emphasis on religious principles or traditions. Religious Camps are also not all the same - some may focus more on faith, while others may have very minimal religious traditions.
Do I need to be religious to work at a religious Camp?
You do not necessarily need to be religious to work at a faith Camp. Your role is to support campers and respect their faith.
Special Needs Camps
Special Needs Camps cater to campers with a range of additional needs and disabilities. Their goal is to provide the same fun and adventure as a traditional summer Camp, but with the support and specific care campers need to take part safely.
Do I need specific experience to work at a Special Needs Camp?
No, you don’t need specific experience for these roles, just a willingness to learn, patience and compassion.
Will I be provided additional training at a Special Needs Camp?
The majority of Special Needs Camps will provide full and comprehensive training to their staff, so you will be equipped to take on this role.
What will my role involve at a Special Needs Camp?
Special Needs Camps will vary in the levels of care required, but will clearly outline the level of support you will be expected to provide before you accept a role.
At some Special Needs Camps, campers with disabilities will need a certain level of personal care that goes beyond what is expected of counsellors at a more traditional Camp. However, we also work with Camps for neurodiverse campers, where the main expectation is helping manage behaviour and supporting campers with emotional and sensory needs.
Overall, your role is to assist with daily routines, help create an inclusive environment, and ensure camper safety, just like at any other Camp.
How do I know if I am a good fit for a Special Needs Camp?
Special Needs Camps can be physically and emotionally demanding, but many counsellors who choose this type of Camp describe it as one of the most rewarding experiences they've had.
If you are considering this Camp type but you are not sure, you may be a good fit if you:
- Enjoy helping others achieve their goals
- Are patient and compassionate
- Have a positive attitude and strong resilience
- Have a willingness to learn and take on new challenges
You can find a description of each Camp Type below to assess if you think it might be a good fit for you!
We think the best way to know whether a Camp might be for you is to hear about other people's experiences. A great resource for this is our podcast Around the Camp Fire with AmeriCamp where we have spoken to alumni of the program from every different Camp Type represented in our pool of Camps.
You can access the podcast:
In your Program Preferences you will choose at least 4 types of Camps you would be interested in working at, but we always recommend selecting as many as possible as this will broaden your hiring opportunities.
On a J-1 Visa, you can stay in the US for up to 30 days after your Camp program ends to travel wherever you would like in the US. For more information on what you can do during this time and the regulations of your Visa, please see our Post-Camp Travel page linked here.
