CAMP USA
SUMMER
2020/21
PICTURE SPENDING A SUMMER OUTDOORS DOING WHAT YOU LOVE. Be it, water-skiing, horseback riding, rock climbing or simply enjoying the great outdoors hiking to beautiful lakes. Every year, thousands of children aged 5-17 attend summer camps at various types of camps across the United States. The specific activities may vary from camp to camp, but an atmosphere of fun, friendship and discovery stays the same. Both campers and counsellors alike have the chance to try endless new activities each day in a stunning location, learn important skills as a group and as an individual, and make friendships that last a lifetime. The Camp Exchange USA program affords you an opportunity to spend up to ten weeks at a summer camp where you get to put your talents to use and teach American campers what you know. As a Camp Exchange counsellor, you will have tremendous opportunity to share your summer with people from all over the world, gain insight that will carry over into all aspects of your life, while also developing skills and experience in an incredibly wide range of areas. Our goal along with our International Program Sponsoris to help you share in this unique experience by matching you to a camp in the United States that fits your interest and skills.
Camps
THERE ARE MORE THAN 12,000 SUMMER CAMPS IN THE U.S, AND EACH IS UNIQUE.
Camps differ from one another in philosophy, structure, facility’s, clientele, programs and duration. Each camp caters its program to the campers age, gender or area of specialization. Camps are located in secluded wilderness settings and serves as an escape from city life. Camps have facilities to accommodate various activates. Below is a list of different types of Camps we work with. Remember camps types can overlap, so one camp may be all boys as well as religious.
TRADITIONAL / PRIVATE:
Owned and operated by individuals and families. Facilities are well maintained and campers come from higher income families. Can be co-ed or serve only female or male campers, where many different activities are offered from arts and crafts to archery. ALL BOYS / GIRLS:
Boys-or girls-only camps provide a variety of traditional camp activities to build character and skills. These camps can be run privately or by a non-profit agency. Some camps may have a brother or sister camp located nearby.
SPECIALTY :
These camps focus on specific sports or activities like horse riding, sailing, or theatre. Specialty camps can also serve specific populations such as campers who have ADHD or have suffered a loss. Disadvantaged or Underprivileged: These camps run or sponsored by outside community groups and often serve low income children from inner cities or extremely rural backgrounds. These camps are often rustic in nature as they are dependent on philanthropic organizations or other groups. GIRL SCOUTS:
RELIGIOUS:
Operated by Christian or Jewish organizations religious camps emphasize the value of their respective faiths through traditional camp activities. The level of religious involvement will differ from camp to camp. Counsellors should be prepared to lead religious activities. SPECIAL NEEDS:
Campers may include children and adults with physical or mental, behaviour and or / learning disabilities. Campers participate in many different traditional camp activities. Counsellors should have general experience with special needs children or a willingness to learn to work in such a demanding but rewarding environment.
These camps only serve female campers and are often run in one to two weeks sessions throughout the summer. Girls scouts are generally focused on building wilderness skills and participation in “outdoorsy” activities. AGENCIES / NON-PROFIT CAMPS:
These camps are run by bodies like YMCA and Salvation Army. Campers come from all parts of the community. These camps can range from very rustic to traditional in their cabins and buildings. Many agency camps appear to be similar to private camps, but often follow a mission affiliated with the agency
Skills WANTED
AND ACTIVITIES
ARTS & CRAFTS:
MEDIA:
OUTDOOR SKILLS:
LAND SPORTS:
Batik/Printing, Candle Making, Ceramics (Wheel/ Kiln), Fine Arts, Glass Blowing, Handicrafts Jewellery, Leathercraft, Metalwork, Model Making, Nature craft, Painting, Puppetry, Sculpture, Silversmithing, Stained Glass, Textile Tie Dye, Weaving (Loom), Woodworking.
Computer (Programming/ Graphics), Creative Writing, Newspaper Production, Photography (Digital/Darkroom) Radio Broadcast (Equipment), Recording and Sound Editing Video, Bass (Guitar), Brass Bugle, DJ, Drums, Guitar, Keyboard, Piano (Accompany), Rock Band, Singing/Vocals, Song Writing, Strings, Ukulele, Wind Instruments.
Animal Farm, Fishing, Gardening, Geocaching Hiking, Orienteering, Outdoor Cooking, Primitive Camping, Rock Climbing, Ropes (High/ Low) Shelter Building, Trip Leader /Driver 21+ Trip Leader 21+ Whitewater Kayaking, Zip-Lining.
Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Fencing, Field Hockey, Figure Skating, Golf, Gymnastics, Hockey (Ice/Street), Lacrosse, Martial Arts, Soccer, Softball, Tennis Track & Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball.
BIKING & EXTREME SPORTS:
SWIM:
PERFORMING ARTS:
DANCE & FITNESS:
Swim Instruction (Certified), Diving Lifeguard (Certified), Synchronized Swimming.
Circus, Costuming, Lights/ Sound, Magic, Set Design/ Construction, Theatre Theatrical Make-Up.
Aerobics, Ballet/Tap, Choreography, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, Kickboxing, Weights & Fitness, Yoga, Zumba.
ATV, BMX, Cycling (Trip 21+), Go-Karts, Moto-Cross, Mountain Bike, Mountain Boarding, Skate Park.
A
HORSEBACK RIDING:
L T R A V E
Dressage English Riding, Horse Care, Vaulting, Western Riding.
Astronomy, Culinary Arts (Teach), Electronics, Environmental Education, Model Rocketry, Wildlife, Ecology.
1 S T A
SCIENCE:
2 3
VI SA S
Food AND ACCOMMODATION
ACCOMMODATION: All counsellors will have free accommodation at camp for the duration of their program. the 30-day grace travel time after camp is not included.
FOOD: All counsellors will receive breakfast, Lunch and dinner for the full duration of your Camp Exchange program. excluding days spent off Camp premises.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE Camp Exchange USA seeks applicants who are skilled, hardworking, energetic, fun-loving and happy in a high active environment. Eligible candidates must meet the following requirements. •
Enjoy children and have experience with them e.g. coaches, teachers, youth workers, scouts, youth leaders or individuals with specialized skills.
•
Be between the age of 19 - 27 years of age by May 1st. (18 year olds will be considered on a case by case basis)
•
Have demonstrated leadership experience.
•
Be a strong English speaker.
•
Highly dedicated individuals are respectful of others
•
Be available to arrive in the U.S no later than June 20th and stay for at least 9 weeks
Camp Exchange USA falls under the J1 visa class. This visa is valid for the duration of your camp and up to a maximum of 3.5 months. In addition you get a 30-day grace period for travels after your last day at Camp. When applying for a J1 visa you have to go through a US sponsor approved organization. That is where STA Travel steps in, along with our Summer Camp and US partner. Once camp placements are secured your visa paperwork is issued and sent to South Africa, you can then apply for your US visa. The US government requires all applicants to attend an interview with the US consulate. In order for your US visa to be successful you need to provide sufficient proof of your return to South Africa for either studies or employment. You will be assisted with every step of your application process for this visa, including arranging your visa appointment with the US consulate in either Johannesburg, Durban, or Cape town. Obtaining your visa paperwork from the US program Sponsor, assisting with your interview with the consulate official and checking all of your documents along the way. The final decision regarding this visa is always at the discretion of the US consulate.
FLIGHTS It is a program condition that all the flights are booked through the Summer Camp Partner & STA Travel. We are responsible for the flight arrangements of all participants with our international partner, it is therefore imperative that we have access to all applicant’s flight details. We will make all efforts to offer the best suited return ticket to all candidates.
INSURANCE All participants are insured for the duration of their camp program. Your insurance is included in your program fee. U.S Government regulations require appropriate medical and travel insurance for all participants on the program. The policy offered through our program sponsor CIEE is designed to meet the US Government requirements and is therefore, compulsory to take the insurance plan offered by the program. Please note that this is travel insurance and not a “medical aid”, It will cover you for hospitalization, emergencies and flying you home in the event of an unforeseen crises.
SPENDING MONEY When arriving in the U.S. participants are required to have a Minimum of $200 which may need to be produced for the U.S Immigration Officer upon arrival in the USA. This spending money is necessary to cover expenses you will have before you receive your first pay check.
A P P L I CATI O N F E E Your application fee secures your spot on the camp program and includes application assistance, visa assistance, visa fee, insurance, orientation in New York or Boston and return flights.
SUMMER CAMP APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN.