Interexchange CampUSA
**Currently we provide service only for Portuguese residents**
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.
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.
Fees
Application Fee: 540 Eur
Service Fee for DotAltai’s Support:
The total service fee for DotAltai’s support is 540 Euros, payable to our NGO in two installments:
First Installment: Due after the successful completion of your interview and the review of your profile. This includes ensuring your profile is fully prepared and ready on the DotAltai portal, so it can be submitted to Interexchange for camp recruiters to review and begin the placement process.
Second Installment: Due after you are successfully placed in a camp in the USA.
What’s Included in the Service Fee?
As an official partner of DotAltai for Portugal under Interexchange, we are here to guide you through the entire camp placement process. The service fee covers the following:
Interview and Profile Review: We conduct a one-on-one interview to better understand your interests, skills, and goals. We then thoroughly review and refine your profile to ensure it meets the program requirements.
Profile Preparation and Submission: Once your profile is complete and polished, we upload it to the DotAltai portal, where it will be submitted to Interexchange. This allows camp recruiters to view your profile and start the process of identifying the best camp placements for you.
Ongoing Communication with Interexchange: We maintain direct communication with Interexchange to ensure your profile is being actively considered and to assist with any additional information or documentation required.
Camp Placement Support: We work with you to find the ideal summer camp placement in the USA that aligns with your interests and skills. This includes guidance on interviews with camps and helping you navigate the offer and placement process.
Continuous Support Throughout the Process: From start to finish, we are here to answer your questions, offer advice, and ensure everything runs smoothly, from profile submission to placement confirmation.
Referral Program:
As part of our referral program, you’ll receive a 100 Euro discount for each friend you refer who successfully joins the program.
And recently we’ve launched a new referral campaign! For every 2 people you successfully refer to our program, you’ll completely waive the application fee—meaning you can join without paying anything at all!
https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/UWKAA8JHBY99J
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!
What will participants earn during the summer?
All counselors earn a minimum of $2000 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!
Federal, State and local taxes WILL be deducted from these stipends!!
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.
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
APPLICATION pROCESS
The CampUSA program is a 9–15 week summer experience at American camps, allowing participants to work as camp counselors, earn stipends (minimum $2,000), and share cultures while exploring the U.S. Here's a detailed breakdown of what to expect and how we’ll assist you:
Step 1: Your Interview
We’ll schedule a brief interview to understand your skills, motivations, and availability. Could you share your availability in Portuguese time? Afterward, we’ll guide you in completing a detailed profile on our portal to highlight your suitability for camp placement. Alternatively we can provide you with an official invitation from Interexchange so you can decide whenever you want to proceed. When you complete your registration and when you choose your nationality, they will forward your application to us. You can see in the screenshot here and in the attachment the portal looks at applicants. Then we can schedule a video interview!
Step 2: Profile Submission and Placement
Once your profile is polished, we’ll send it to InterExchange for review. Upon approval, camp recruiters will assess it, aiming to match you with the most suitable camp based on your strengths.
Step 3: Program Fees and Support
Our total service fee is 540 Euros, paid in two parts:
First installment: After completing your profile.
Second installment: After confirming your camp placement.
As part of our referral program, you’ll receive a 100 Euro discount for each friend you refer who successfully joins the program.
And recently we’ve launched a new referral campaign! For every 3 people you successfully refer to our program, you’ll completely waive the application fee—meaning you can join without paying anything at all!
The service fee includes:
Interview preparation and profile creation.
Communication with InterExchange and camp recruiters.
Placement guidance, job offer assistance, and interview support.
Continuous help through visa processes and other preparations.
If your J1 Visa application is denied, we’ll refund 75% of your paid fees to date. However, with our support, we aim for a smooth application process.
Step 4: Post-Placement Support
Once placed, we’ll assist in:
Scheduling your J1 Visa appointment.
Preparing necessary documentation.
Ensuring your travel, insurance, and pre-arrival needs are met.
What’s Next?
After the camp season, you’ll have a 30-day travel period to explore the U.S., making it a truly enriching experience!
Please review the attached details and let us know if you have questions. We’re eager to assist you through this exciting journey!
If you decide to apply just fill this form and we will provide you with an official invitation from Interexchange for you to proceed your application!
Presentation for Camp Applicants
Camp-USA-brochure.pdfCC Sample Camp Booklet.pdfPax Trifold (1).pdfParticipant-Info-Sheet.pdf