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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Unsure? Got some doubts? Don't worry we've been
there and done it all before!
Q: I’ve
never travelled before - is Summer Camp USA for me?
A: IEP’s Summer Camp USA
is perfect for first-time travellers, because it is a fully supportive
working holiday. IEP will help you and provide you with support
all the way - from preparing your application and all the pre-departure
support you need, as well as full support for the duration of
your stay at camp. We will even give you a 24-hour emergency number
for BUNAC, our partner in the USA - they can help you out during
your time at camp and even during your travels in the USA after
camp. So from start to finish, IEP and BUNAC are there to help
you have the best possible working holiday!
Q: I don’t
hold an Australian passport. Am I still eligible?
A: Passport holders from countries other than Australia
may still be eligible for Summer Camp USA - contact IEP for more
information.
Q: Is there
an age restriction for summer camp?
A: Summer camp participants must be aged over 18 by June
1 and are generally aged under 35. IEP will assess applications
from people over 35 on a case-by-case basis so please contact
IEP if you are aged over 35.
Q: When do
I leave Australia and how long will I be away for?
A: Your departure date will depend on your camp start date. Most
camps start some time between late May and mid June and will run
for approximately 8 weeks. Many camps will also have an orientation
week at the start and a pack-up week at the end, so you need to
be available for 8-10 weeks between May/June and August. If you’re
unsure of your availability during this time, please contact IEP.
Q: Can I
go to the same summer camp as my friend/sibling/partner?
A: Maybe! You can
request to be sent to the same camp as someone else, however due
to our personalised placement service IEP cannot guarantee that
you will be placed together. We’ll do our best, but it’s
important for you to be flexible and independent - often you get
more from the experience as an independent traveller anyway!
Q: Do I need
a work visa for the USA?
A: Yes- you will be working and travelling on a J1 Summer Camp
counsellor visa, which allows you to work at a summer camp and
also do some travelling afterwards. You will be required to attend
a personal interview at a US consulate in order to obtain this
visa. Consulates are located in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth so
for some applicants this will involve interstate travel. Don’t
worry - IEP will help you the whole way through the visa application
process!
Q: Can I
choose where I go?
A: You can certainly indicate a preference as to where in the
USA you’d like to go. However, ultimately it will depend
on the type of camps that have jobs available that suit your skills
and experience. Most camps are located in the eastern states of
America however with over 15,000 camps across the USA, you never
know where you will end up! Rest assured IEP and BUNAC have been
working with these camps for over 40 years and we will only send
you to approved camps that have received excellent reports from
past participants who have worked there year after year. It’s
important to be flexible about the areas of the USA that are willing
to work in.
Q: What will
I do at camp?
A: That depends on what your skills are! Most of our participants
are hired as general counsellors, which means you’ll be
helping out supervising the kids in a range of activities- you’ll
find yourself using skills you didn’t even know you had!
If you have a specific skill-set or you have a lot of experience
in one particular area - for example you’ve been playing
a certain sport for many years and perhaps have also done some
coaching - then you may be placed as a specialist counsellor.
Specialist counsellors will spend most of their time teaching
a particular activity however will probably also help out in other
areas. Again it’s best to be flexible about your role at
camp - you will get the most out of the experience if you’re
open to all possibilities.
Q: Can I
travel the USA and the world after camp has finished?
A: Yes! IEP encourages summer camp counsellors to get out there
and see as much of the USA as they possibly can. You will have
plenty of time to travel the USA after your camp finishes - most
camp counsellors are able to spend about 2 months travelling after
camp with their new-found friends from camp… So don’t
worry about not having any travelling buddies, because you’ll
have them soon enough! How would you like to do a road trip across
the States? Or maybe a trip down to Mexico or up to Canada? Many
counsellors use the opportunity to head around the world on other
working holidays, perhaps to Canada,
the UK or Ireland. IEP runs support programs to all these
countries, as well as volunteering opportunities in other parts
of the world. So give us a call on 1800 SUMMER CAMP to chat about
your options for working and travelling after camp.
Q: Why should
I choose IEP?
A: IEP’s placement process is specialised and personalised,
which means that we don’t just find you any camp job - we
place you in the BEST position that suits your skills, experience
and preferences. At IEP we’re dedicated to giving you the
best possible working holiday experience. IEP works closely with
its US partner, BUNAC, to ensure you’re fully supported
from the moment you join the program, throughout your stay in
the USA, until you touch down home in Australia. To find out more
about why IEP is your best Summer Camp option, click
here.
Q: How do I get started?
A: The best time to start planning your Summer Camp USA adventure
is NOW! The earlier you apply the better. Click
here to apply online or call 1800 SUMMER CAMP to ask any questions
or to request a brochure be sent to you.
Q: What
happens when my friend refers me to their camp?
If you have arranged your own contract with a camp, or if you
have a referral to a particular camp through a friend or relative,
you must still have an interview with Summer Camp USA and complete
the online application process. If you have questions regarding
referrals or completing the online forms please contact
IEP.
Q: What
prepartion will I have before I start work?
To ensure that you are fully prepared for the summer, the US Government
requires you to attend an orientation. This sounds very formal,
but orientations are generally fun, informative and a great way
to connect with others on the program! These Summer Camp USA pre-departure
sessions are generally held in April or May. Please note that
whether or not you have a camp contract at the time, these sessions
are compulsory and you must attend.
The camp's own orientation is part
of your contract and can last from one day to one week or more.
It gives you the chance to get to know the camp, its ways and
its staff, before the children arrive. Some orientations involve
physical preparation of the camp (e.g. painting, cleaning) while
others concentrate on the camp's structure and your duties. It
is possible that the director may not assign your duties until
after the orientation when he or she has assessed all of the staff
and their abilities as well as the needs of the camp.
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