Could you work at a summer camp in America? Here’s what camps actually look for
You’ve seen the photos. Someone you half know spent last summer on a lake somewhere in Maine and came back tanned, a bit changed, and full of stories they’re still telling. Next summer, that’s you.
American summer camps hire thousands of international staff every year, and there’s no single “type” they’re after. Whatever you’re into, whatever you’re good at, there’s a role with your name on it.
The roles: all-rounder or specialist
Broadly, there are two ways in.
General counsellor. You’re the day-to-day glue. You live in the cabins, run the schedule, and you’re the person your campers remember years later. It’s the biggest group of roles and a brilliant fit if you love the idea of camp and want to throw yourself into all of it.
Activity specialist. You lead something specific. At Camp Connect USA that includes sports coaching (soccer, tennis, gymnastics), waterfront roles like lifeguarding and water ski, the arts side, and outdoor adventure such as high ropes, rock climbing and horse riding. If you can teach it, coach it, or keep people safe doing it, there’s a role for you.
You don’t need formal qualifications for most of these, and camps will often train you once you arrive. But if you’ve coached a kids’ team, lifeguarded, or spent every summer on a horse, lead with it.
What kind of camps are we talking about?
Every camp is different, and that’s the best part. American camps range from traditional residential camps by the lake to sports-specialist camps and camps that support children with additional needs. Some are huge. Some are small and tucked into the forest.
Where you end up depends on your skills, your preferences, and what camps are looking for that year. It means every summer looks a little different, and yours is yours.
What you actually get out of it
The money is real. You’ll earn at least $2,250 for the summer, with food and a place to live sorted, so most of that stays in your pocket.
And once camp finishes, you’ve got up to 30 days to travel. Road trip, cities, coast, whatever you fancy. That’s the part people talk about for years.
Then there’s the stuff that’s harder to put on a CV but impossible to miss in person. You come back more capable. You’ve managed people, solved problems at 6am with no phone signal, and looked after other humans for a whole summer. Employers notice that. So will you.
What’s included
This is where Camp Connect USA does the heavy lifting for you:
- J-1 visa sponsorship (the legal bit that lets you work)
- Food and accommodation for the summer
- Medical insurance
- 24/7 support while you’re out there
- 30 days travel travel time
You apply with a £49 deposit, then the £200 balance once you’ve secured a camp job. That’s £249 in total, and there’s nothing more to pay if you’re not placed.
Ready for your American summer?
Camp is for people who want to do something with their summer, and you’re clearly one of them. Pick your role, get your application in, and start the summer everyone else will be asking you about.
Your American summer, done differently. Start your application.
