Eligibility

All participants in the InterExchange Camp USA program must be:

•    Students, teachers, bona fide youth workers, or individuals with specialized skills.
•    At least 18 years of age by June 1st of the year of participation. Not older than 28. 
•    Strong English speakers.
•    Highly dedicated individuals who are committed to participating in the program for 9 to 15 weeks.
•    Available to work from early to mid-June through late August (Possible dates are between May 15-  September 15).
•    Genuinely interested in working with children in an outdoor setting.

Programme Option

The Camp Placement Program

•   Supervising another person’s child is an enormous responsibility. Therefore, working as a summer camp counselor is an extremely important job. Counselors must be patient, mature and responsible individuals.
•   The ability to speak English proficiently is another critical skill for a prospective counselor. Strong English skills are a must when teaching an activity and in communication for all other aspects of camp. If a counselor does not understand or speak English well, he or she will be difficult to place and will likely be denied a visa.
•   Camp is an ever-changing environment, so the counselor needs to be open-minded, flexible and have a positive attitude. The ability to handle stressful situations in a constructive manner is essential for a counselor. He or she must be prepared to spend all day with the campers and always act in a mature and responsible manner when around them and their fellow teammates.
•   Most importantly, an individual who wishes to be a camp counselor in the United States should genuinely care about the welfare of children and be interested in learning about life in the U.S. They should not view this experience as an inexpensive option for visiting the U.S.

The Camp Environment

•   Counselors must abide by all camp rules, including curfews. Camp rules and regulations are designed to provide a safe environment for all members of the community, and although they can be strict, they must be followed.
•   Parents expect counselors to treat their children with dignity and respect. Taking care of someone else’s child is a huge responsibility. Counselors must be mature enough to handle stressful situations in a positive manner.
•   Being a camp counselor is a 24-hour a day job. If a child is sick in the middle of the night, a counselor must take care of the child. However, camps will give counselors at least one 24-hour time off period per week. Time off will vary from camp to camp. A counselor may get up to two nights off a week. This usually means a few hours off after the campers go to sleep, and not necessarily a full night off until morning. Many camps will also provide the participant with one period off during the day (approximately 45 minutes to one hour).
•   Camp assignments can involve hard work, and shouldn’t be treated like a vacation! Participants are here as cultural exchange visitors who are supporting their host camps, and need to make sure they’re fulfilling their work obligations while gaining the full benefits of learning about and living in the U.S.
•   Camps may have strict policies regarding alcohol and/or smoking. Participants who are not willing or not capable of following these rules should not apply. Failure to follow these policies often results in the participant being fired. 
•   Please be aware you will have very limited access to your mobile phone and internet.

Employment Related Conditions

•  The Programme allows eligible participants to enter the United States as non-resident exchange visitors to work in Camp and travel for up to one month after, during their summer vacation.  An intended outcome of the Programme is the promotion of international goodwill and mutual respect between the United States and countries throughout the world.  
•   By participating in the Camp USA 2024 programme, all participants are bound by all new programme regulations and eligibility criteria that may be introduced at any time and without notice. SAYIT Camp, The US Sponsor and the US Embassy reserve the right to cancel participation on this programme (without refund) if any applicants do not meet the eligibility criteria or fail to abide by the terms and conditions of the programme including SEVIS compliance, monthly monitoring surveys and employment vetting etc.
•    Participants should not accept a position if they cannot commit to the specified period requirements of the Camp Host.
•    It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure they check the details of the contract of employment. SAYIT Camp/  US Sponsor are not liable for any issues that may arise on matters deemed to be the responsibility of the participant.
•    Participants are expected to report to the site of activity listed on their DS-2019 form. Failure to report to your approved Camp Host and make a good faith effort to work at the position and honour your work commitment may result in programme termination.
•    If the participant does not arrive as previously scheduled with the Camp Host and the dates printed on the DS-2019 form, the job offer may be revoked by the Camp Host.
•    If a participant leaves their employment without notifying the US Sponsor or begins employment without the prior approval of the US Sponsor, the US Sponsor reserves the right to revoke their legal sponsorship, which will result in the termination of their programme and their legal right to remain in the US.
•    Participants on the Camp USA Program are required to maintain continuous communication with their Camp Host before arrival, notify them in advance of their arrival and departure dates, and advise them of any changes to their travel itinerary due to visa delays or any unforeseen circumstances.
•    The US Sponsor/SAYIT Camp are not responsible for the participant’s expenses incurred if for any reason the participant has not started work by the agreed date due to delays in obtaining a Social Security number.
•    Participants are considered legal adults and are solely responsible for their conduct and well-being both on and off the job.  Participants have agreed to the Terms and Conditions of participation on the programme, in addition, they must follow all federal, state, and local laws and regulations of the United States while participating in the Camp USA programme. Participants are subject to fines, arrest, and possible deportation for breaking laws.
•    Please be aware that SAYIT Camp or the US Sponsor are not responsible for the contract of employment between the participant and any Camp Host regardless of whether the position was sourced by the participant directly or through assistance provided. This also extends to any issues between the Camp Host and participant that may develop. Participants are advised to contact the US Sponsor should they require any assistance with resolving an employment issue.
•    In the case of premature termination of employment, or if the employment is terminated before the end of the programme for any reason, or if the participant decides to return home early, no fees will be refunded.
•    If the participant’s employment ends before the legal working dates listed on the DS-2019 for any reason, it is the participant’s responsibility to inform the US Sponsor’s US office.

Programme Related Conditions

•   The US Sponsor and SAYIT Camp reserve the right to refuse sponsorship to any applicant who does not meet the Programme eligibility requirements or any applicant that the US Sponsor/ SAYIT Camp does not deem appropriate to accept in the general interests of the Programme. In the event that the US Sponsor/ SAYIT Camp  refuses to accept an applicant on the Programme, full cancellation fees may apply. Applicants are responsible for and obliged to check eligibility on the SAYIT Camp website www.j1.ie or in your local SAYIT Camp branch before submitting an application form.
•    Participation on the Programme begins when the participant legally enters the US and, subject to this contract, terminates on the day of departure from the US (within the legal Programme dates). Participants can remain in the US up to 30 days beyond their DS programme ‘end dates’ for travel purposes only.
•     The US Sponsor may issue a DS-2019 form if a participant meets the Camp USA programme requirements, but they and SAYIT Camp cannot guarantee that the US Embassy or Consulate in a participant’s country of residence will issue a J1 visa. The US Sponsor/ SAYIT Camp is not responsible in the event that US Embassy refuses to issue a visa and full cancellation fees apply.
•    Please note that if you choose Exam Failure Insurance it must be issued BEFORE you sit any exams that have an impact on your final mark. Otherwise, the exam failure cover will be null and void (full details are outlined in your policy document).
•    SAYIT Camp/ US Sponsor reserves the right to utilize publicly available information, including social media that has not been directly provided to SAYIT Camp/ US Sponsor by the participant. Information obtained through these means can be used as a basis for withdrawal, denial of a job offer, and/or any decisions made by SAYIT Camp/ US Sponsor affecting the participant’s programme.
•    Prices and fares quoted in our publicity material are valid at the time of printing. Because of uncertainty in fuel prices and currency fluctuations, changes or additions by any US Government Agency to programme regulations or fees, it is possible that increases may be advised before the date of travel. Except where otherwise guaranteed, we reserve the right to impose currency or fuel surcharges as necessary. - Fares advertised are subject to availability at the time of booking.
•    Please note that you have a 48 hours cooling off period.

US Embassy Appointment

All students MUST attend a mandatory interview at the US Embassy for a J1 visa to be issued. Embassy interviews must be arranged by the applicant. 

The US Embassy will hold an applicant’s passport for a minimum of 5 working days for processing of the Visa after the Interview. If extra processing is required, passports may be held longer than 5 working days. SAYIT J1/ US Sponsor/ US Embassy is not to be held responsible for any delays, and subsequent fees incurred due to delays/ extra processing at the US Embassy Interview stage. Under no circumstances can a passport be requested back from the US Embassy quicker than the standard processing times laid out above.

Payment of Programme Costs

  First Payment

   A deposit of €39.00 will secure your place on the Camp USA Program. 

  Second Payment

   A second instalment of €150.00 is due once we have done our face-to-face interview with each applicant. We can then submit your application to the US Sponsor. 

  Final Payment 

   The remaining balance is due once you have been hired by a Camp Host. 

Cancellation

•     First instalment payment is refundable if your application has been rejected minus €20.00 administration fee. 
•     Unmatched applicant, full payment made and cancels before 1st of May, cancellation fee is €100.00
•     If you cancel after your are matched and have accepted a job offer & before arriving in the US, cancellation fee is €200.00.
•     If your visa is denied by the U.S Embassy, cancellation fee is 50% of overall program. 
•    SEVIS Fees in all circumstances are non-refundable