How it works

Step 1 – Your first step is to register with BUNAC. This will create your BUNAC Account where you can complete a Summer Camp USA application form, book an interview and download your references to send to your chosen referees.

Step 2 – Attend you interview, taking with you a copy of your completed application form. You can organise your references before or after the interview.

Step 3 – After notification of a job, BUNAC will guide you through the process of paying for insurance, booking your flight and applying for your visa.

If you have any queries please contact the Summer Camp Department by calling 020 7251 3448 or emailing camps@bunac.org.uk. Please read through all of the Summer Camp USA information before applying.

You will find more detailed information about how to complete the application form and the programme terms and conditions in your BUNAC account when you apply online.

Flights

When your contract with a camp is confirmed, BUNAC will select your outbound flight date according to the start date on your contract and the location of the camp. Westbound flights are generally from London to New York. If your camp is situated a long way from New York and in another part of America or Canada, you may possibly fly directly to an airport closer to the camp.

You will probably travel on the same flight as other participants thus giving you the opportunity to meet with fellow counsellors before you arrive in the US

The Summer Camp USA flight package also includes:

• Your first night’s accommodation
• BUNAC support services in the UK and USA
• Informative orientation talk*
• Moneywise Guide to North America, t-shirt and phone card.

*May vary for those not arriving in New York.

Eastbound Flight Partial Refund

Details of the application for a partial refund of your Eastbound BUNAC flight (form 55) can be found here.

Travel to your camp

On arrival in New York, you will be given route and ticket information for getting to camp. There is a brief orientation meeting after breakfast the next morning and then you are finally on the way to camp!

If you are not flying into New York, BUNAC staff in London will give you specific information on how to get to camp before you go.

Guarantors

If you are accepted by BUNAC, you will need to provide a guarantor, normally a parent or guardian. Your guarantor should be a permanent resident in the UK or Ireland and is required to protect the costs which BUNAC has incurred on your behalf before you arrive at camp.

If you don’t complete your contract and leave camp early for whatever reason, your guarantor is liable to pay BUNAC the costs which BUNAC has incurred on your behalf. You would only be paid for the days you have worked at camp. The costs include your airfare and any other costs which BUNAC would no longer be able to collect from camp. You or your guarantor would be liable for the pro-rated portion of this amount.

Summer Camp placements update

We will also consider suitably qualified applicants who specifically wish to work at a Christian or Jewish camp as well as those (aged 20 plus) who wish to be placed at a camp for kids with special needs and applicants who have outstanding activity skills and good child experience including teaching (the activity) with certification.

Please note that even if you fit the criteria listed above, placement cannot be guaranteed, although we will of course try. A limited number of interview dates and venues remain, please call the summer camp team on 020 7251 3448 to discuss your application.

If a placement on Summer Camp USA is unlikely this year remember there may be other BUNAC work or volunteer abroad programmes that could suit you instead.