Thinking about Camp America? We've got the full details here; who, why, how much and more.
Last updated: 17th March, 2026 - Article updated to include information on the J1, nonimmigrant visa integrity fee.
Working at a summer camp in the USA can be one of the easiest ways for travellers to stay in America legally, earn money, and travel afterwards without spending thousands of pounds upfront.
Working at summer camps in America or elsewhere for summer season, offering accommodation, meals, a wage or stipend, and a social experience built around cultural exchange.
This guide explains how Camp America works, what jobs are available, how much you can earn, visa requirements, and which companies travellers use to get placed.
Camp America Summer 2026
Camp America is a cultural exchange programme that places international travellers into US summer camps for around 9–12 weeks, usually between June and August.
Camps range from:
Traditional overnight camps with cabins and outdoor activities
Sports-focused camps
Arts, music and performance camps
Special needs camps
Day camps near major cities
You live on site, work full-time, and become part of a close-knit international staff community.
While requirements vary slightly by provider, most programmes require that you:
Are aged 18–30
Hold a passport from an eligible country (UK, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand and others)
Speak conversational English
Are available for the full summer season
Pass medical and background checks
You do not need to be a student for most placements.
These are the most common positions and involve:
Supervising a cabin group
Leading daily activities
Supporting camper wellbeing
Useful skills include:
Sports coaching
Swimming or lifeguarding
Arts, music or drama
Outdoor leadership
Teaching or childcare experience
Support roles suit travellers who prefer less direct childcare/higher wage/more time off.
Examples include:
Kitchen assistant
Maintenance
Housekeeping
Office or admin roles
Support staff often:
Earn hourly wages
Have clearer work boundaries
Get more personal free time
Yes, in order to participate in Camp America you will need to have a J-1 Cultural Exchange Visa.
With this visa you can legally work at a summer camp, and travel within the US after camp for up to 30 days.
Depending on the company you choose, they will sponsor the visa and handle the paperwork. You can check each of the major companies below.
Not yet. The fee was scheduled to come into place around October 2025 for all those applying for nonimmigrant visas (most visa types except ESTA visa waivers) however to date, it has still not come into effect. It is proposed it will be by October, 2026 however could be sooner. It will cost $250 and providing you meet the terms of the visa, i.e. no unauthorised employment and do not overstay the visa, you will receive it back after the visa expires. This is in addition to the normal visa fee. For J1 Visas, this is currently $185. You will pay the fee only when your visa is issued; if it is denied you will not pay.
There have been proposals by the authorities regarding this, however, until otherwise announced; giving social media information as part of an ESTA application at this time, remains optional. You can read more about the details in our Visiting the US? Social Media Please article.
How much you can earn varies by the role and the company you choose to go through.
Camp counsellors can earn approx. between $1,200–$2,000.
Support staff can earn roughly $10–$15 per hour
Food and accommodation are included, so most of your earnings can be saved or used for travel after camp.
Most programmes charge a one-off participation fee covering:
Placement services
Visa sponsorship
Training and orientation
Basic insurance
US-based support
Typical fees range from £300–£800, depending on:
Costs are outlined below for each company, with salary depending on if you choose own flights/flights included.
These are the main companies for Camp America aimed at UK and EU travellers and date of upcoming recruitment fairs:
Has the lowest programme fee of only £189.
Initial deposit is £49.
Minimum camp salary of $2200.
US Embassy Fee not included approx $185.
Flights not included
Travel insurance not included
Police Check £21.50
Popular with European applicants
Lower-cost options available
Suitable for returnees
Start application for free - pay in full on placement: £399
Start with £49 deposit, pay over 3 instalments, total cost: £419
Flights not included
Additional Fees:
Health History Form: £0-100
Background Check: £85
J-1 Visa Processing Fee - $185 USD payable to US Embassy for Visa Appointment
Ameri Camp Job Fairs on Website:
14th January 2026 - Edinburgh, UK
17th January 2026 - Manchester, UK
18th January 2026 - London, UK
Largest placement network
Ideal for first-time applicants
Strong support systems
Higher upfront fee, high reliability
£489 - Book own flight required - Up to $2250 salary depending on role
£695 - Return flights included - Up to $1650 salary depending on role
28th, February 2026 - London, UK
25th, January 2026 - Glasgow & Manchester, UK
24th, January 2026 - London, UK
Well-established
Wide range of camp types
Competitive pricing options for Do it Yourself (no-flight)
From £375 - Book own flight required
Pay: Own Flight:
CCUSA Flight: $2300
Camp Counselors: $1250
Support Staff: $1200
No CCUSA Job Fairs Listed on Website
UK-focused support
Camp and seasonal placements
Flexible entry points
Pay: Minimum of $2300 if choose own flights.
£349 - Book own flight required
£549 - Return flights included
USA Summer Camp Job Fairs
7th, March 2026 - London, UK
24th, January 2026 - London, UK
22nd, January 2026 - Dublin, Ireland
You can also search for roles and contact Camp Directors directly on Camp Channel's website, providing you can obtain a J1 visa:
Yes. This is one of the biggest advantages of working at a summer camp.
Many travellers enjoy the rest of their summer in the US before heading back to the UK/Europe and others continue on to Central/South America.
Apply early for better camp options
Make a video application, this will help you stand out and show off your personality to camps more suited
Be honest about your skills
Budget for flights and post-camp travel
Treat it as a cultural exchange, not just a job
Plan your US travel route in advance
