For Participants

BridgeUSA J-1 Camp Counselor Program

Summer camp, an American tradition

An experience in American culture you will cherish

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Instead of just visiting the U.S. as a tourist, why not fully immerse yourself in American life through an American tradition, the camp experience? The Camp Counselor program gives you the opportunity to spend up to 4 months working and traveling in the U.S. during your summer break.

As a J-1 Camp Counselor participant, you will have the opportunity to share your language, culture, and customs with the Americans you meet in your camps, local communities, and travel destinations over the course of your summer break. As you meet new people, make new friends, and experience new personal and professional challenges, you will learn about the United States, its values, and its people.

You'll earn money to cover your expenses, receive housing, meet new friends, and improve your English skills. Most camps run for an eight-week session, and after your job is complete, you can spend the last months of the program traveling throughout the U.S.
Why AmeriCamp

Program highlights

Cultural Exchange
Our program provides an opportunity to explore other cultures, traditions, customs, beliefs, societies, languages and much more. Such opportunities will allow you to view the world through a different lens.
Personal Growth
By experiencing different cultures, you will gain a better understanding of your own culture and traditions that have influenced the way you view the world.  Such self-awareness will allow you to grow personally and professionally.
Independence
Your experience will allow you to be more self-reliant and independent.  As you deal with the challenges of being away from home, in many cases for the first time, you will also learn how to function independently from your family and how to navigate basic life skills on your own.
Housing and Stipend
You will earn a stipend, called pocket money, from the camp which will help to offset program costs and give you spending money for after camp.  The after-camp travel experience is just as important in gaining valuable cultural exchange experience.
Practicing English
The camp counselor program will immerse you in an English-speaking setting.  You will be able to enhance your English-speaking ability (if not a native speaker) while also teaching others words and phrases from your own language.
Gain Work Experience
You will also gain valuable work experience that you can use when you return home. You will improve your skills in areas such as public speaking, teamwork, problem-solving, supervision, leading teams, and organization.
What skills are needed

Camp activities

Team Sports
Water Sports
Arts & Crafts
Theater & Music
Outdoors
Camp Sports
Wellness
Education

Types of activities

Camps offer a variety of different sports, activities and experiences.

  • Soccer
  • Frisbee Golf
  • Tetherball
  • Basketball
  • Ultimate Frisbee
  • Gaga Ball
  • Volleyball
  • Football
  • Relay Races
  • Cricket
  • Four Square
  • Obstacle Course
  • Swimming
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Sailing
  • Windsurfing
  • Water Trampoline
  • Pontoon Jumping
  • Lifeguard
  • Water Aerobics
  • Fishing
  • Snorkeling
  • Drawing
  • Ceramics
  • Tie-dye
  • Totem Poles
  • Paint Wars
  • Sculptures
  • Jewelry Making
  • Costume Design
  • Murals
  • Cabin Flags
  • Sewing
  • Green Screen
  • Performing
  • Acting
  • Improv
  • Film
  • Guitar
  • Piano
  • Drums
  • Vocal
  • Music
  • Dance
  • Choreography
  • Climbing
  • Ropes Course
  • Rock Throwing
  • Zip Line
  • Fort Building
  • Fire Building
  • Outdoor Cooking
  • Hiking
  • Animal Tracking
  • Scavenger Hunts
  • Archery
  • Horseback Riding
  • Meditation
  • Yoga
  • Martial Arts
  • Team Building Games
  • Stargazing
  • Farming
  • Animal Care
  • Computers
  • Graphic Design

Types of camps

Camps are located all over the United States in both rural and city settings.  Camps run as either overnight programs or day programs and offer a variety of different experiences.

  • Private Camps
    Privately owned and run by individuals or families.
  • Non-Profit Camps
    Owned and run by non-profit organizations and their oversight board.
  • Special Needs Camps
    Dedicated to children and adults with disabilities.
  • Themed Camps
    Specialized in a particular sport or activity.
  • Religious Camps
    With a religious philosophy or specific focus on one particular religion.
  • Day Camps
    Open only during daytime hours and campers go home at night.

What's Included

  • An incredible camp

    A placement at one of the amazing camps that we work with in the USA
  • Salary

    One of the best salaries in the industry with a minimum of $2000 to be earned, for anyone 18+
  • Insurance

    Comprehensive medical insurance for the full duration of your camp contract
  • Accommodation

    All meals and accommodation for the duration of your camp placement

Plus

Guidance throughout your full application from pre-interview to during your time in the USA
The sponsorship of your J-1 visa
24-hour emergency helpline in the USA if you ever have any problems
Exclusive access to our New York After Party!

What's not Included

Flights
US Embassy Fee for J-1 Visa Processing
Medical Background Check
Criminal Background Check
How it works

A simple process

  • 1
    Apply for program
    Contact us or an AmeriCamp partner for program information and a screening interview. After the interview, and all required documents are submitted, your application will be circulated amongst our host camp network for consideration.
  • 2
    Match with a camp
    Once a camp has selected your application for review, you may be contacted directly by the camp for an interview with the camp director. Once selected, you will receive a detailed placement letter along with all of the particular requirements for your position with the camp.
  • 3
    Prepare for your adventure
    We provide you with support and pre-departure orientation before you leave for the U.S.
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"I chose AmeriCamp and I would have no hesitations in encouraging others to do so; they give you a simple and cheap way to achieve the Camp dream and make sure you’re paid fairly for your hard work! After speaking with friends who used alternative Camp companies, they all wished they had used AmeriCamp!"
Danielle
Pequot Sherwood Day Camp
“I have created memories that will last a lifetime. This experience has certainly changed my perspective and I have learned that it doesn't take years to build a friendship with good people.”
Vickky
Camp Jaycee
"Last Summer, I had such an incredible time; thank you AmeriCamp for supporting me the whole way, being super-organised and responding quickly to any questions I had. Speaking to others at Camp, AmeriCamp is by far the best-paidway to go, too."
Hannah
Summit Camp
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