Few opportunities compare to spending a summer working at a camp in America. You get to live outdoors, work with kids, meet people from all over the world, and travel across the USA with your new friends for up to 30 days after your 9 weeks of work is up!
But if you’re starting out from the UK, the process can feel confusing. Visas, applications, interviews... it’s not always obvious where to begin.
This “How to Work at a Summer Camp in the USA on a J-1 Camp Counsellor Visa” guide by Gapforce Camp USA breaks it all down step by step, so you know exactly how to go from “this sounds cool” to actually boarding a flight to camp for the summer of a lifetime!
What does “Working at a Summer Camp” actually mean?
In simple terms, you’ll spend 8-10 weeks working at summer camp somewhere in the United States
Your role will usually fall into one of two categories:
Camp Counsellor - living in cabins with campers, spending mealtimes with them, leading activities, being responsible for their day-to-day experience
Activity Counsellor, Specialist or Instructor - teaching a specific skill to kids, like football, swimming, drama, or arts and crafts.
Being a Camp Counsellor isn’t a typical job. You’re part mentor, part big sibling, part entertainer, and yes, it can be exhausting, but it will also be the most rewarding opportunity of your life.
Who can apply from the UK?
All Summer Camp in America providers have the same requirements, because we all need to abide by the regulations of the J-1 Camp Counsellor visa. You have to be 18 by the time you start work at camp (in May/June time) and you need to be available for 8-10 weeks.
To be eligible for a J-1 visa, you need to fall into one or more of the following categories:
You must be a student, a teacher, a youth worker or an individual with a specialized skill (i.e proficient in football, performing arts, rock climbing, lifeguarding, arts & crafts, or something that can be caught at camp)
To qualify as a youth worker, you don’t need to be a teacher or a childcare expert. Coaching a local sports team, babysitting, or volunteering can often be enough, as long as you can provide a reference to back it up.
Not sure if you’re eligible to work at camp? Contact the Gapforce Camp USA office on (0207 384 3028) or send us an email at campusa@gapforce.org.
Step by Step Guide: How to Get a Summer Camp Job in America on a J-1 Camp Counsellor Visa
1. Choose a Programme Provider (like Gapforce Camp USA)
You don’t apply with camps directly. Instead, you go through a UK-based provider that connects you with camp directors.
Gapforce Camp USA helps you with:
Finding a placement at a summer camp in America
J-1 visa sponsorship and support
Preparing for an interview with a Camp Director
Pre-departure support
Some providers are more hands-on than others, so it’s worth comparing your options. Being a small but mighty summer camp agency, Gapforce Camp USA provides you with a designated application coordinator, helping you land a placement that’s perfect for you.
2. Complete Your Application
This includes:
Personal details
A short, written section about yourself and your skills
Your experience working with children
References from employers, teachers or sports coaches
A short, 3-minute video introduction (this isn't mandatory, but it helps you get hired!)
TIP: Don’t overthink it. Camps are looking for personality, energy, and reliability. Experience working with children is preferred, but not necessary for you to get hired by a camp!
3. Complete your 30-minute video interview with Gapforce
Once your application is complete and submitted, you’ll interview with a Gapforce staff member.
Your interview will be with your assigned coordinator at Gapforce Camp USA and will last approximately 30 minutes. Interviews with us are friendly and laid back.
Common questions include:
Why do you want to work at a camp?
What activities can you lead at camp?
What experience do you have working with children?
4. Get Placed with a Camp
After your interview, if your application is accepted, you’ll then be able to start applying for summer camps. Some providers arrange placements for you, whereas with Gapforce Camp USA, you decide which summer camp to apply for, from a list of the top 300 camps in America.
5. Apply for your J-1 Visa
To legally work in the US, you’ll need a J-1 Camp Counsellor visa.
Gapforce Camp USA will guide you through:
Paperwork (DS-2019 form)
Paying visa fees
Booking a visa appointment at your nearest US embassy. In the UK & Ireland, there are embassies in London, Belfast and Dublin. You can, however, attend a visa appointment at a US embassy in any country.
Applying for your visa isn’t as intimidating as it sounds, and you’ll have great support from your designated expert at Gapforce, should you choose to go with us as your provider.
6. Prepare for Departure
Before you go, you’ll sort out:
Your flights
Travel insurance (accident + sickness insurance is already provided)
Packing (more on that later)
Pre-departure briefings
Most people arrive in the US a day or two before camp starts. Technically, you can enter up to 30 days before your contract start date, but we don’t recommend entering more than 14 days prior to camp.
How much does it cost to work at a Summer Camp?
No surprise, there are up-front costs involved in applying to work at a summer camp in the USA! You will pay Gapforce a competitive price of between £339 - £389 (£339 if you apply before January 1st) to find you a camp placement, J-1 visa sponsorship and your health insurance for the summer.
Typical costs include:
Programme fees (for a list of Gapforce Camp USA's fees, head here)
A background check (if applying through Gapforce, get this)
Visa fees (a visa appointment costs $185)
Flights (typically £600 - £1,000 return)
Travel Insurance (varies, but it usually doesn’t cost a lot. Use a comparison website)
In total, you’re usually looking at £1,100 - £1,500 up front, but it’s not all paid in one go. You can pay your application fees in installments, and your flights will be the last thing you pay for once your visa is issued.
Important:
Camps provide accommodation and food
You’ll receive a salary/stipend (an industry-leading $2,250 - $3,000)
You can travel for up to 30 days after your placement
The experience outweighs the cost, and it’s definitely worth the investment!
Do you get paid?
Yes, but don’t expect a big payday!
At camp, through Gapforce Camp USA, you’ll earn an industry-leading salary of $2,250 - $3,000 for 9 weeks of work. If you work over 9 weeks, the total you earn will be higher.
Camp isn’t about making money, but it’s a nice benefit to have to help cover the upfront costs. Camp should be seen as a paid cultural experience, not a money-making job, and believe us - it’s worth it.
What is it actually like day-to-day?
A typical day might look like:
Morning activities (sports, crafts, swimming etc )
Cabin time and meal times with campers
Afternoon sessions
Evening events (campfires, games, shows)
You will be busy, and you will be tired. You will probably have moments where you question your life choices.
And then you’ll have moments, watching one of your campers gain confidence, laughing until you cry with your co-counsellor, sitting under a huge American night sky seeing stars like you’ve never seen before - and that’s where it all clicks, and you realise that you’ve made the right choice in going to camp.
What do I need to bring with me?
We’ll list a comprehensive packing guide here soon.
Once you’re hired, ask your camp director for a full list of what you need to bring with you! Most camps will ask for a similar packing list, but you may be required to bring something specific for your role at camp.
What happens after Camp?
One of the best parts: with Gapforce Camp USA, you can travel in the US for up to 30 days after your contract ends, in what’s called the J-1 Visa 30-day grace travel period.
You can go ANYWHERE you want to in the US! Popular routes include:
East Coast trips (New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Niagara Falls and more)
West Coast trips (California road trips - LA, San Diego, San Francisco and more)
National Parks (Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone, Zion, and more!)
Gapforce strongly recommends making use of your 30 days to travel post-camp. There’s no better way to top off the best summer of your life.
TIP: Look into Gapforce’s other programmes that take place after camp! Participating in Gapforce Camp USA gives you exclusive access to discounts across the Gapforce catalogue.
Is it worth it?
For most people, yes! But it depends on what you want.
It’s a great fit if you:
Want to travel and try something different
Enjoy working with kids
Don’t mind long days and being outdoors
Gain invaluable employment experience to put on your CV
Want to make a LOT of new friends!
It might not be for you if you’re:
Only interested in earning money
Not comfortable being “on” all the time
Looking for a relaxed summer
Apply with Gapforce Camp USA today
Working at a summer camp in America isn’t just a job; it’s an experience that pushes you out of your comfort zone in the best way.
You’ll learn a lot about yourself through having real responsibility for a summer and come home with stories you’ll be telling for years to come.
If you’re even slightly considering it, it’s worth exploring further. And for many people, it ends up being one of the best decisions they ever make. If you want to speak with a staff member, email our Programme Manager, Ben, on bchappel-harney@gapforce.org
Create your Gapforce Camp USA application now, or get in touch if you’d like to speak with a member of the team.
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