Camp in USA: work at children's camps in the USA
Camp in the USA
The set is open
Spend the summer in the USA working at summer camps. Help create fun days for kids, improve your English, and enjoy the outdoors. Choose a role: counselor or support staff!
from $535
Summer at an American camp is a unique experience!
Working at children’s summer camps is IEC’s oldest program — the first participants went to the USA back in 1989! In fact, this program is how the International Exchange Center got started. There are about 10,000 summer camps in the U.S., with more than 7 million children attending every year, so the United States is a clear leader in the global camp movement. Most camps are located outside towns in picturesque settings — forests, riversides, lakeshores, or even by the ocean. Participants work in American children’s summer camps as counselors or as support staff. Counselors look after the kids, teach them various sports, and make sure every day is fun and full of activities. Support staff take care of the camp’s everyday operations — kitchen roles (dishwashing, kitchen help, serving breakfasts, lunches, and dinners), light maintenance, groundskeeping, and more.
Why join this program?
Experience working at summer camps in the USA;
Work, earn, and travel this summer.
A unique opportunity to learn or brush up on your English every day;
Invaluable experience working with children and teens at camps in the USA;
New connections with Americans and people from all over the world;
International exchange and learning about American culture.
program fee
$535
Initial payment — $300
+ SEVIS fee — $35
+ SEVIS fee — $35
What’s included
- Search for 1 job placement (camp);
- Providing the DS-2019 form;
- Room and board at the camp;
- Medical insurance for the duration of your work at the camp;
- Sponsor support upon arrival in the USA.
Not included
- Visa application fee ($185);
- SEVIS fee ($35 );
- Flight (~$400, depending on arrival/departure city and date);
- Transfer to/from the airport;
- Costs for courier services and reissuing the DS-2019 form (~ $100-200);
- Getting to your employer.
Program materials
Get detailed program materials for Camp in the USA
- Program brochure
- Sample participation agreement
- Country & placements guide (manual)
- Program cost calculator
Requirements
- Ages 18 to 25 (Support Staff) and 18 to 28 (Camp Counselors);
- For Support Staff, you must be a student with an Intermediate level of English;
- For the Camp Counselor option, being a student isn’t required, but you must have experience working with children and an Upper-Intermediate level of English;
- No criminal record;
- No harmful habits (e.g., smoking);
- A bonus for Camp Counselors is teaching experience, a degree in education, and creative or athletic skills;
- Willingness to commit to at least a 9-week period;
- At least $900 in available funds upon arrival in the country.
The program runs during summer break. Start dates usually fall between May and August or mid-September. Program duration ranges from 9 weeks up to 12-15 weeks. Applications: the earlier the better, but no later than the end of February or March 1. If you apply on time, you’ll have a better chance of finding a more interesting job offer.
The program takes place during the summer period — usually from May to August / mid-September. Confirm the start date of your chosen program with your IEC coordinator. Program duration ranges from 1 week to 3 years, depending on the program you choose. Submit your documents 4–6 months before the program start date.
Related programs
Education
Educational Career Training in the USA
9-12 month
from $4200
Tourism
American Travels in the USA
1-14 month
Travel across America! Vibrant cities, breathtaking sights, and unforgettable experiences are waiting for you. Complete the pro…
from $990
Internship
Internship in Mexico
3-6 month
Explore Mexico — intern in tourism or teach English. Warm hospitality and southern charm await you!
from $960
Volunteering
Volunteer in Costa Rica
1-3 month
Help save turtles and take part in other environmental projects in Costa Rica while immersing yourself in the local culture.
from € 645
Working with children
Au Pair in the USA
12-24 month
Live in the USA with an American host family, gain valuable experience, and receive a stipend. The Au Pair exchange program is…
from $600
Children’s camps
Summer Camps in the USA
3 month
FLS summer programs offer a unique blend of English lessons, sports, arts, and travel across the USA. Enjoy an action-packed su…
from $3750
Study and work
Study and Work in Canada
6-12 month
Study, work, and live in Canada — a land of opportunity and success.
from CAD 7760
Work
Work and Travel USA
2-5 month
The most popular summer student program that lets you work and travel across the USA during your summer break.
from $1300
Internship
Internship in the USA
1-12 month
Internships in the USA open doors to the world of American business and cutting-edge industry practices. Sharpen your skills, g…
from $2945
Internship
Virtual Internships
1-4 month
Take an online internship in one of 70 countries — work in business, IT, finance, and other fields. Convenient format, a flexib…
from $1895
Trip reviews
These months of living and working in the United States have impressed me deeply. I live in a beautiful little house, and I can always go out to interact with the deer and squirrels on the road, an experience I have never had. The natural environment of the town I work is beautiful, there is no pollution, the weather is very blue, the air is too fresh!
read more
Before I arrived in the United States, I was very worried about my oral English, but when I came to the United States, I found that I didn’t have to worry. Everyone is very friendly and kind to me, when I am in trouble, they will help me, teach me English pronunciation, teach me English spelling, English is not a problem. I hope more students can participate in this program..
read more
I saw the most beautiful fireworks on Independence Day, my idol at Universal Studios, the Statue of Liberty in New York, and trips to different countries made me a better person.
read more
I made a lot of good friends from different countries, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Turkey, Thailand… We have different culture and language, we communicate culture together every day, learn from each other, my vision got a lot of promotion. The world is diverse.
read more
As a student, in the school always clothes, food, do not know the hard money. Now I realize the hard work of my parents, and I am very grateful to my parents. In addition, I have improved my perseverance and willing to pay efforts to do everything. I think it will be great help to my future study and life. My personality has become better. Thanks to everyone who supports me！
read more
My English has been greatly improved! In addition, my colleagues are Spaniards, they taught me how to practice Spanish every day, and I taught them Chinese. We learn from each other to promote cultural exchange.
read more
I used to only seen pictures of Niagara Falls in Chinese textbooks, but now Niagara Falls was right in front of me! Majestic, magnificent and magnificent, I was excited to take 1000 + photos! I am very lucky to be involved in this program.
read more
One day I was cleaning a customer’s room and a customer with a lovely dog was doing an check out, then she gave me $50 tips! For $50, I can eat delicious ice cream for one week!
read more
These months of living and working in the United States have impressed me deeply. I live in a beautiful little house, and I can always go out to interact with the deer and squirrels on the road, an experience I have never had. The natural environment of the town I work is beautiful, there is no pollution, the weather is very blue, the air is too fresh!
read more
Before I arrived in the United States, I was very worried about my oral English, but when I came to the United States, I found that I didn’t have to worry. Everyone is very friendly and kind to me, when I am in trouble, they will help me, teach me English pronunciation, teach me English spelling, English is not a problem. I hope more students can participate in this program..
read more
I saw the most beautiful fireworks on Independence Day, my idol at Universal Studios, the Statue of Liberty in New York, and trips to different countries made me a better person.
read more
I made a lot of good friends from different countries, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Turkey, Thailand… We have different culture and language, we communicate culture together every day, learn from each other, my vision got a lot of promotion. The world is diverse.
read more
As a student, in the school always clothes, food, do not know the hard money. Now I realize the hard work of my parents, and I am very grateful to my parents. In addition, I have improved my perseverance and willing to pay efforts to do everything. I think it will be great help to my future study and life. My personality has become better. Thanks to everyone who supports me！
read more
My English has been greatly improved! In addition, my colleagues are Spaniards, they taught me how to practice Spanish every day, and I taught them Chinese. We learn from each other to promote cultural exchange.
read more
I used to only seen pictures of Niagara Falls in Chinese textbooks, but now Niagara Falls was right in front of me! Majestic, magnificent and magnificent, I was excited to take 1000 + photos! I am very lucky to be involved in this program.
read more
One day I was cleaning a customer’s room and a customer with a lovely dog was doing an check out, then she gave me $50 tips! For $50, I can eat delicious ice cream for one week!
read more
Still have questions?
We’d be happy to answer them!
Feel free to stop by our office. We’ve taken part in exchange programs ourselves several times, so we can share our personal experiences and impressions, help you choose the right program, and assist with finding temporary summer work in the USA and other countries around the world.
