Ön Kayıt Formu / Pre Registration Form / para aceder ao formulário de pré-inscrição.

Ön Kayıt Formu ! / Pre Registration Form !

What is Camp USA

The InterExchange Camp USA program allows selected students, teachers, bona fide youth workers and individuals with specialized skills to gain a greater understanding of the United States via an 9-15 week program at an American summer camp*

The program allows participants to serve as a counselor, get paid a stipend, develop lifelong friendships, experience the culture of the United States while sharing their own, and improve their English language abilities.
It also provides participants with the opportunity to work alongside American peers and travel to other parts of the country after completing their camp placements.

The Camp Counselor

Camp Counselors are part of a team that help create a fun, safe and rewarding experience for the campers. Their main duty is to coordinate, conduct, and lead all activities for children and young teenagers during their stay at the camp. Camp counselors also have responsibilities within the cabin. A camp counselor typically shares a cabin with a group of campers. They must ensure their safety and act as a role model during this time.

From the U.S. Department of State CFR 62.30: In order to promote diverse opportunities for participation in educational and cultural exchange programs, the Department of State designates exchange sponsors to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals to serve as counselors in U.S. summer camps. These programs promote international understanding by improving American knowledge of foreign cultures while enabling foreign participants to increase their knowledge of American culture. The foreign participants are best able to carry out this objective by serving as counselors per se, that is, having direct responsibility for supervision of groups of American youth and of activities that bring them into interaction with their charges. While it is recognized that some non-counseling chores are an essential part of camp life for all counselors, this program is not intended to assist American camps in bringing in foreign nationals to serve as administrative personnel, cooks, or menial laborers, such as dishwashers or janitors.

⭐ Your Role as a Camp Counselor

Camp counselors are the heart of American summer camps. You guide, support, and inspire campers while enjoying an unforgettable cultural exchange experience.

## 🎒 General Counselor Duties

* **Supervise and Mentor:** Supervise and mentor a cabin group.

* **Daily Support:** Live with campers and support their daily routines.

* **Health and Safety:** Ensure health, safety, and wellbeing.

* **Activity Leadership:** Lead group activities and games.

* **Transitions:** Assist during meals, clean-up, and daily transitions.

* **Inclusion and Problem Solving:** Help campers adjust, solve problems, and feel included.

* **Special Events:** Participate in evening programs, campfires, and special events.

## 🎨 Activity Specialist Roles

Use your skills to lead exciting camp activities!

### **Sports**

Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Gymnastics, Archery, Horseback riding, Swimming / Lifeguarding

### **Outdoor Adventure**

Hiking & nature walks, Camping skills, High ropes / low ropes course, Climbing wall, Canoeing / Kayaking, Survival skills

### **Arts & Creativity**

Arts & crafts, Drawing / painting, Pottery & ceramics, Dance, Drama & theater, Music, Photography / videography

### **STEM & Discovery**

Science workshops, Nature & ecology, Coding / robotics (varies by camp), Environmental education

### **Waterfront Activities**

Lifeguard, Swimming instructor, Paddleboard / kayak / canoe instructor, Sailing (where available)

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.

What will participants earn during the summer?

All counselors earn a minimum of $2300 USD up to 3200 USD Pre-tax.
Some camps offer more than the minimum stipend.

These stipends are all based on a nine-week (63-day) schedule. If the placement lasts longer, they’ll be paid an additional $35 for each additional day worked. And remember, the camp will also provide them with free housing and meals!

The camp may pay more than the minimum and will specify in the job offer.

Accident and sickness insurance for the entire duration of the program is provided.

What do participants receive for the fees they pay?

J1 visa sponsorship and DS2019 Form
Support and assistance throughout visa application process.
Travel insurance for your contract dates.
Free room and board while working
24 hour support and emergency assistance while in the U.S.
A job offer.
30 day travel period after camp.
Access to cultural events and discounts
The experience of a lifetime!

💰 Program Fees

DotAltai aims to make international exchange accessible to everyone through affordable and transparent pricing:

Application & Interview Fee : €75

Covers the 30-60 minute interview, evaluation, and profile recommendation service and sending candidate profile to the New York office for first evaluation.

Program Fee : €125

Paid when the participant’s profile is accepted in the portal and becomes ready to be shown to camps approved by the New York office.

Placement & Support Fee: €200

Paid when the candidate receives a job offer and is placed in a camp. Covers camp placement, visa assistance, and continuous support services.

Total Cost: €400

Only €75 is paid during the application stage. The €125 program fee is due after profile acceptance in the portal, and the remaining €225 is paid after receiving a job offer and placement confirmation.

Extra Personal Expenses (Not related with our service)

Visa Fee: 185 USD
Round-Trip Flight Ticket (estimated): 350 – 600 USD

🔁 Refund Policy

Refunds are applicable under specific conditions related to visa denial or participant cancellation:

1st Payment (€75 – Application & Interview Fee): Non-refundable.
2nd Payment (€125 – Program Fee): 50% refundable in case of visa denial or participant cancellation.
3rd Payment (€200 – Placement & Support Fee): 75% refundable in case of visa denial or participant cancellation.

Refunds are processed within 30 days after receiving official visa denial proof or a written cancellation request from the participant.

Our Program Model

Our CampUSA Program operates on a four-step model that ensures transparent, reliable, and comprehensive support throughout the exchange process.

1. Selection and Interview Process
Applicants first participate in a 30–60 minute interview conducted by our CampUSA interviewer or consultant, either online or face-to-face. This interview aims to evaluate English proficiency, communication skills, motivation, and overall suitability for a U.S. summer camp environment. Once the interview is completed, the service is considered fulfilled.

Immediately after the interview, the consultant prepares a detailed recommendation letter about the candidate and submits their profile to the InterExchange New York Office via the official online portal. If the New York Office approves the profile, the applicant becomes visible to U.S. camps and ready for matching.

From this stage onward, we guide and advise each candidate according to their interests, availability, and camp preferences to ensure the best possible placement. A successful camp match and the resulting employment agreement mark the final step before the participant begins J-1 visa preparations.

2. Visa and Travel Support
We provide one-on-one guidance throughout the J-1 visa process, including:

DS-2019 form preparation and document review
Scheduling embassy appointments
Advising on required documentation
Pre-departure travel and insurance guidance

Our Ankara-based office enables us to handle all bureaucratic processes quickly and efficiently, including government documentation and special passport procedures.

3. Pre-Departure Orientation
Before traveling to the U.S., participants attend an online or in-person orientation where they receive information about:

Camp life and expectations
Cultural adaptation and communication
Health, safety, and emergency procedures
U.S. customs and travel tips

These sessions are designed to ensure participants feel confident, informed, and prepared for their experience abroad.

4. Ongoing Support During the Program
Once participants arrive in the U.S., our team remains available 24/7 for support in case of emergencies, communication issues, or logistical needs. After completing the camp program, we also provide guidance for post-camp travel within the U.S. and support for the return process to Türkiye.

Eligibility for Camp Counselors

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 March 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

Camp USA Program Overview for Participants

Camp-USA-brochure.pdf

CC Sample Camp Booklet.pdf

Pax Trifold (1).pdf

Participant-Info-Sheet.pdf

Our Experience

Interexchange CampUSA Türkiye - Cooperator Bora Agbulut

Our Experience Experience with Exchange Programs and the J-1 Visa Our experience with the J-1 program began in 2018, when we collaborated with CCUSA for our first experience as camp counselor. Through that process, we established ongoing connections with several U.S. summer camps, including those affiliated with CampGroup.

We have maintained professional relationships with key camp directors and staff, including:

• Drew Bitterman, Director at Camp Watitoh

• Max Grossman, Director at Point O’Pines Camp for Girls

• Owner/Camp Director at Camp Mah-Kee-Nac

• Long-term contacts with staff from Camp Greylock since 2018

We have also supported participants from Azerbaijan, who successfully obtained their J 1 visas directly through CampGroup, providing us with firsthand experience in managing the J-1 application and placement process.

Location and Operational Advantages

Our office is based in Ankara, Türkiye, providing us with direct access to key governmental institutions for quick resolution of bureaucratic procedures. One of our founding members, a former Head of the Information Department at the Ankara Police Department, continues to support us in cases requiring official documentation, passport renewals, and verification from government offices. This connection also facilitates smoother processes for Green Passport holders in Türkiye, minimizing potential complications during J-1 visa applications.

Experience with European Programs

Between 2019–2025, our organization focused on EU funded programs, particularly under the European Solidarity Corps and Erasmus+. During this period, we successfully sent over 40 young people from Türkiye to Portugal for volunteer and training programs. This work has given us solid expertise in mobility logistics, visa preparation, document verification, and intercultural training—all directly applicable to J-1 administration.