How can we help?
Find answers to common questions about the AmeriCamp program.
The majority of Camps will run for about 8 - 10 weeks, traditionally between early to mid-June through to mid-August, however some start as early as May. The earlier you are available, the better, as the longer your period of availability, the more Camps you will be eligible for.
After this, you have a 30 day grace period during which you can travel anywhere you would like in the US, so overall you could be in the US for up to 3 months.
How long it takes to apply will depend on you and how quickly you are able to complete each part of the application. Generally, the written application itself will only take about an hour or so, but the full application, hiring and Visa process could take several weeks or months.
As a general guideline of the timeframes and application journey, see our Application Timeline here.
Our peak hiring season runs from September to January, so applying during this window is advised. However, our Camps are usually hiring right up until the summer starts, so applying later is also possible.
In general, it is best to apply as early as possible, as the longer you wait, the fewer opportunities become available. Applying early also allows you more time to complete your Documentation and Visa application, which can have lengthy processing times.
The deadline to apply will vary year to year depending on when roles at our Camps are filled. We typically take on new applicants up until March of the year of the program, but it is best to apply as early as possible, as the longer you wait, the fewer opportunities become available.
Applications will open at different times year to year, but we typically take on new applicants from March of the year before. This allows applicants as much time as possible to complete their application, accounting for long processing times for Visas and other documentation.
Yes, we accept neurodivergent people to our program, unless they have another severe condition that would prohibit participation. However, some neurodiverse people may struggle with the emotional, physical and sensory demands of Camp, so should consider this when applying.
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. Working at Camp also requires a high level of independence. Due to this, for some neurodiverse people, the Camp environment is not conducive with their needs 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.
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.
Current rules and restrictions outline that travellers from the UK do not need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter the US. However many of the Camps we work with will still state this as a requirement to work on their premises.
In addition to this, travel regulations are changeable, so it is possible the requirement for COVID vaccinations could be reinstated at any time. In this event, we would not be able to provide refunds for those who are unvaccinated and unable to travel.
The following vaccinations are required for the AmeriCamp program (but are not requirements for a J-1 Visa):
- MMR - Measles Mumps Rubella
- DPT - Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis
- Polio (SABIN)
Please note, mandatory vaccines may vary Camp to Camp and additional vaccines could be required.
Experience working with children is always valuable for AmeriCamp, as this will be at the centre of your role on Camp - but you don’t necessarily need extensive experience teaching or working with children in order to apply.
In your application you must be able to show a desire to work with children and enthusiasm for making sure they have the best summer ever! If you apply earlier in the season, we would recommend using this time to gain some experience working with children before you head out to Camp, such as volunteering at your local primary school/guides/scouts or babysitting for friends and family.
You do not need any specific qualifications to do AmeriCamp as all experience is valuable. Qualifications in certain areas are always desirable, such as lifeguarding, boat driving, climbing and archery, but they are not essential. We find that a bubbly personality and positive ‘can do’ attitude make for a great Camp Counsellor.
On top of this, you may be surprised by how qualified you really are - even having a hobby can be a great starting point for running activities at Camp. When you complete your application, do your best to explain your skills and experiences in detail - you don’t necessarily need extensive teaching/coaching experience in order to help run an activity at Camp.
Our program agreement that can be accessed at this link is a set of terms and conditions you will agree to upon signing up for the AmeriCamp program that outline the policies, expectations and legalities of the program.
The purpose of the program agreement is to clearly detail our expectations of you as an AmeriCamp participant, as well as to explain what you can expect from AmeriCamp as your cultural exchange facilitator. In this document, you can find an outline of our refund policy and the rules and regulations of the program.
Yes, the majority of Camps will allow you to have visible piercings and tattoos with some exceptions:
- Tattoos must be Camp appropriate, i.e. not offensive, disturbing, graphic or inappropriate.
- Piercings must be removable or coverable for safety reasons.
Some Camps may not allow either, but you will be required to share any tattoos and piercings you do have on your profile, so will not receive contact from those few Camps that cannot allow it.
No, due to safeguarding regulations, Camps will not employ staff with criminal records. If you are unsure as to whether your past infringement will appear on a DBS or affect your ability to participate, then please contact the AmeriCamp team.
No, you cannot apply for the AmeriCamp program as a US citizen as you do not require Visa sponsorship to work legally in the US. This means that you would be paying for a service you do not use, as you will not need to pay or apply for a J-1 Visa. If you are an American citizen and want to work as a Camp Counsellor, you can contact Camps independently and secure a job with them, without sponsorship.
Yes, you can apply with a non-UK or Irish Passport, however applying for a US Visa with a passport that does not match the country in which you are attending the US Embassy can lead to an increased risk of Visa denial. Some passports have stronger restrictions for travel to the US than others so please do your own independent research regarding this before applying on a non-UK or Irish passport.
No, AmeriCamp currently only accepts applicants from within the UK and Ireland, whether a citizen, permanent resident or temporary resident.
We do, however, have partners globally hiring in countries such as Australia, South Africa, France, Germany, Mexico, Colombia and so on. If you are from outside the UK or Ireland and want to participate in the Camp Counsellor program, contact us and we will point you in the right direction for an agency in your country.
At a minimum, applicants must be available before June 18th and up to August 15th - we cannot accept applications from those unavailable between these dates as this is the minimum period for the Camps we work with.
The majority of Camps will run for about 8 - 10 weeks, traditionally between early to mid-June through to mid-August, however, some start as early as May. The earlier you are available, the better, as the longer your period of availability, the more Camps you will be eligible for.
You must be 18 by June 1st of the year of travel in order to apply for AmeriCamp. This is non-negotiable, and we cannot accept applicants turning 18 during Camp. If you are currently 17 years of age, you can only apply for AmeriCamp if you turn 18 before June 1st.
We tend to only accept First Timer applicants under the age of 28 unless they are highly skilled or have extensive previous Camp experience. We do not have an upper age limit for Returners and Direct Placements.
You are eligible to apply for the AmeriCamp program if you are:
- 18+ years old (must be 18 or older by June 1st of the program year)
- A citizen or resident of the UK or Ireland
- Available for a minimum of June 18th to August 15th
- Experienced or interested in working with children
- Proficient in spoken English
- In good health
- Have a clean criminal background
- And you’re not afraid of a challenge!
You can use AmeriCamp as your sponsor as a Returner or Direct Placement if the Camp you have been hired with works directly with AmeriCamp. You can find this out by contacting AmeriCamp, we will let you know if the Camp has an account with us.
If you want to apply through AmeriCamp but the Camp you are hired with does not currently work with AmeriCamp, our US team will be able to onboard them. You can contact AmeriCamp to begin this process.
Direct Placements are applicants going to a Camp for the first time who have an existing job offer prior to applying, so do not need the help of AmeriCamp to find a job. Direct Placements will apply on the RETURNER page of our website, under the Direct Placement Category.
You must be able to provide a contract from Camp confirming you secured your role prior to applying for AmeriCamp in order to qualify as a Direct Placement.
Returners are only applicants returning to the same Camp they have previously worked at. They do not need to have been with AmeriCamp before. Returners will apply on the RETURNER page of our website.
We have two Returner categories, that are:
- 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
To learn more about returning to Camp click this link.
As a First Timer, you will receive full support from AmeriCamp to secure a placement at one of our partner Camps and will not have an existing job offer prior to applying. Most of our applicants are categorised as First Timers, applying on the APPLY NOW page of our website.
A First Timer is an applicant that has either:
- Never been to Camp before and is going for the first time
- Or has been to Camp before but will be applying through AmeriCamp to go to a different Camp, and has not secured a job offer independently.
Yes! Inclusion isn't just a policy at AmeriCamp, it's a fundamental part of who we are. We work closely with our Camps to ensure they are safe spaces for all of our applicants and take any reports of discrimination or homophobia incredibly seriously. We have had several participants from the LGBTQ+ community report feeling incredibly accepted, loved and protected at Camp, which is generally a very inclusive and diverse environment.
AmeriCamp carefully selects the Camps we partner with through a thorough onboarding and review process. Before a Camp is approved, our US team gets to know the organisation through meetings with Camp leadership, reviews their programs and staffing needs, and ensures they can provide a safe, supportive, and rewarding experience for international staff.
We also verify that each Camp meets the requirements of the US Department of State's J-1 Exchange Visitor Program and is able to fulfill the responsibilities associated with hosting international participants. In addition, we conduct background research on every Camp, including reviewing its reputation, operational history, and any publicly available information that could indicate concerns.
Throughout our partnership, we maintain regular communication with our Camps and gather feedback from participants each summer to help ensure they continue to meet the high standards we expect. Our goal is to work with Camps that provide a positive cultural exchange experience where participants can grow personally and professionally while enjoying a safe and memorable summer.
- We offer the highest salary in the industry at $2250 (before tax).
- We have low fees of only £399 (paid in full)!
- AmeriCamp is a designated Visa Sponsor - meaning you can apply, get hired and get your Visa through AmeriCamp and no third party sponsors are needed.
- We work closely with our team out in the US year round, to give you the best hiring experience and provide a 24/7 emergency line while you’re at Camp.
- Our AmeriCamp Camp Fairs are a unique opportunity to get placed that not every agency can offer.
- We have outstanding customer service - every member of the AmeriCamp team has been to Camp and is an expert in a specific area of the application process, so you are getting the most accurate advice from real lived experiences.
- AmeriCamp has a passion for Camp and we want to welcome you to our community of Camp-lovers!
AmeriCamp guarantees all applicants a minimum salary of $2,250 (before tax) which is one of the highest in the industry. Beyond this, salaries will vary based on your specific Camp and role, so you may make more than this minimum amount.
Yes, absolutely! Being a Summer Camp Counsellor will help you develop an incredible range of skills that are applicable across industries - not just working with children, but in any roles you may apply for in the future.
Skills you can develop include:
- Communication, giving instructions and adapting communication styles
- Leadership, responsibility and public speaking skills
- Problem solving, decision making and adaptability
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Cultural awareness
- Safeguarding and working with children
AmeriCamp is a UK-based Visa Sponsor that helps young people from the UK and Ireland find work at a Summer Camp in the USA as a Camp Counsellor. You will spend the summer at one of the amazing Camps we work with to help the children in your care have an incredible Camp experience.
Summer Camps are an American tradition. Children, usually between the ages of 6 - 16, attend Camp settings over the summer months to develop and grow, while taking part in a range of activities such as outdoor adventure, sports, watersports, arts and crafts, performing arts and digital media. Camps hire local and international staff to create a diverse cultural experience for their campers, in a fun and nurturing environment.
As your Visa Sponsor, we are not the employer, but rather the agency that connects you with one of the hundreds of Camps that hire staff across the US.
As part of your Visa Sponsorship, we will:
- Facilitate the hiring process by matching you up with one of the Camps we work with
- Sponsor your Visa and support you through the Visa application process
- Be your point of contact and support throughout your Camp experience
- Provide a pre-Camp Orientation with all information you need to know about the Camp program
- Provide you with medical insurance for the duration of your summer in the US
- Support you with Background Checks and Tax returns through our partner services
You will pay fees to AmeriCamp to support you with the full application process. Following initial payment, the AmeriCamp program can be broken down into the following steps:
- Complete your application
- Interview with the AmeriCamp team
- Get placed at a Camp that fits your skills, preferences and experience, through our online hiring portal or at an in-person Camp Fair
- Attend an AmeriCamp Orientation
- Complete your Visa application and book your flights
- Spend the summer of a lifetime working at Camp
- Travel America for up to 30 days after Camp
Please note, your accommodation and meals are provided at Camp, and you will earn a minimum salary of $2250 for your work there.
