Summer Camp USA: Application Process

As a first-time UK Applicant

Back in 2018 I applied to spend my first summer at camp in the USA. I'd attended a few presentations from different organisations that offer the program, done some googleing and had already decided it was a no-brainer! Making new friends, working with kids and learning a ton of new skills with the added benefit of lots of sunshine and getting to explore a new country? Sounds pretty awesome to me!

So I started doing some research into which organisation to go through. I'm not going to tell you who that was (if you follow my instagram, which you totally should, you can find out easily😉) because this is not an advert for them, but I will tell you some things to consider and what some of my deciding factors were:

1. What guidance does the organisation offer for Visa Applications? Some companies have direct links to sponsorship, others don't.

2. How much 'pocket money' do they offer? In your first year, the organisation you go through will take a percentage of your pay and you'll get a small amount of pocket money from your camp, obviously every camp is different, but make sure you compare the averages for each organisation.

3. Does the organisation guarantee you a placement if accepted through an interview stage? Some will, other's won't.

Most organisations will then ask you to attend an interview to see whether you're suitable for the programme and then ask you to fill in an online application form which they can forward to camps they think suite your skills. Make sure you include as much detail about your past experience as you can and highlight the fact that you're willing to learn! Of course you'll get asked the classic "why do you want to work at camp" question. Make sure you have an answer that isn't "because I want to travel..." apparently that answer sets off alarm bells to any camp interviewer!

Hiring Fairs

Most of the big organisations in the UK have a Camp Fair. You can do your interview with the organisation and then talk to individual camps and try and get hired on the spot! They're a great way to tick all the boxes in one go, but they can also be really intimidating. It feels like there's a lot of pressure to get hired on the day and it can be very disheartening getting turned down over and over until you potentially get hired. For me, accepting a camp position wasn't an instant decision. I wanted to have done some research into the camp, check out their social medias, websites and programmes before accepting. Even if Camp Directors thought I was right for their camp, I wanted to make sure their camp was right for me. And that's something that's very hard to do at camp fairs where the pressure feels very intense to get hired quickly before all the good jobs get snapped up! This is 100% not the case! I actually turned down a job I was offered at a hiring fair because it just didn't feel right for me. So what I'm saying is, don't panic!

If you know any one that's done camp before (all of you do cause you're reading this blog!) hit them up and see if they can put you in touch with some camp directors. Referrals are a great way to get hired! (That's how I was hired 😊)

So you've been hired, what comes next?

The Medical Form

Before you get your visa stuff done you have to get a basic medical form signed by a doctor. A lot of doctors surgeries will charge you to get the formed signed. You'll hear so many stories about the different amounts people paid to get their forms signed. My first year my GP did it free of charge and just posted it back to me, my second year they charged me £12! Guess it depends who you speak to, so if you're trying to safe money I guess you should shop around.

VISA stuff

Once you've been hired you'll need to apply for a J1 Visa. There's an online application, which is pretty easy to fill in, you just need a reference. Then you have to make an appointment to attend an interview at the embassy. Make sure you don't leave this too late as they keep your passport for a few days before sending it back. I left it very last minute first year and my passport arrived back a day before I had to get on my flight. It was a very scary few days not knowing whether it would be back in time! Do not recommend...

I think a lot of people get nervous before their Visa interview but there's really more waiting than anything else... you have to queue to get into the embassy and go through airport style security. Once you're in you have to queue for the first desk where you get a number. You then have to wait again for your number to be called for the second window where your interview takes place. They call it an interview but no one I know has ever actually been asked any questions. Just make sure you know what to say if they ask when you're coming home or what your post camp travel plans are. Even if you haven't got a flight home booked, or travel plans, have some kind of proof that you will actually be coming home. (I used a letter from my university proving I was matriculated for another year). Then there's more waiting for the final window where you give in all your documents. It's really nothing to worry about, if you've already been placed at camp that means somebody trusts you enough to look after kids, getting a Visa should be easy!

Once you've had your Visa appointment and your documents have been returned you're all set to go!

It's your sponsoring organisation's job to get you placed at camp and guide you through the Visa process. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions and ask for help.

And as always, you can drop me an email travellingwithstyleblog@gmail.com or dm my insta if you need anything 💙

Make sure you don't forget anything! My top tips for packing are coming V soon!

Wondering what to expect? Find out here.