Camp and Travel · Requirements
Camp Counselor Requirements 2027
Camp counselor requirements for 2027: age, English level, skills, experience with kids, references and availability. Find out if…
Camp and Travel · Application and Fees
Camp counselor application and fees for summer 2027
From your first call to arriving at camp, your application moves in six steps. Know the steps, the costs and what the camp provides from day one.
- $35 SEVIS fee (Sept 2026)
- $185 visa application fee (Sept 2026)
- Fall the ideal time to apply
On this page
When should you submit your camp counselor application?
Fall is the best time to start your camp counselor application. In a typical season, applications open in September, camp placements happen over the winter and spring, visa interviews take place between March and May, and flights fall between late May and June. Camps finalize their staffing early, so early applicants get to meet more camps, and some sponsors can't guarantee placement for applications received after March.
These months reflect a typical season; exact dates depend on your sponsor and camp. For an overview of the program, visit our Camp and Travel 2027 page.
Your Camp USA application in 6 steps
The road from your first call to your arrival at camp:
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First call and profile preparation
We look at your age, English, skills and availability, and identify the right sponsor option for you.
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Application form, references and video
You complete your application form, submit your references and prepare your criminal record check and health declaration. If your sponsor asks for one, you'll add a short intro video too.
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Sponsor interview
Your sponsor assesses your English and eligibility in an interview. We rehearse it together so you walk in prepared.
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Camp placement and camp director interview
Your profile is shared with camps. An interested camp director invites you to an interview, and then you receive your camp offer (job offer).
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DS-2019, SEVIS and visa
Your sponsor issues your DS-2019. You pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend your visa interview in Ankara or Istanbul.
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Orientation and flight
After your pre-departure orientation, you fly out and join staff training at camp before the campers arrive.
Your profile, references and camp placement
Camp directors decide based on your profile, which makes the first two steps the heart of your application. Describing your skills with concrete examples, getting references from people who have seen you with kids and recording a genuine intro video all make a real difference to your chances of placement. See which documents you need on our camp counselor requirements page, and which roles suit you on our camp types and roles page.
The camp director interview is usually short and friendly: you'll talk about why you want to work at camp, your experience with kids and which activities you can contribute to.
DS-2019, SEVIS and your visa
Once your camp offer is confirmed, your sponsor issues your DS-2019 (the Certificate of Eligibility for your program). You then pay the SEVIS fee online, complete the DS-160 form and book your visa appointment. For camp counselors, the SEVIS fee is lower than for most other J-1 programs. We cover every step in our J-1 visa guide and explain what you might be asked in our J-1 visa interview questions article. The visa decision rests with the consulate; we make sure you walk into your interview fully prepared.
Start your application today
Applicants who start in the fall enter camp placement sooner. Let's confirm your eligibility and personal timeline in a short call.
Camp USA fees: what you'll pay for
Official fees with their current amounts, and what the other costs depend on:
| Item | Paid to | When | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program (sponsor) fee | Sponsor organization and advisory services | At registration and placement stages | Varies by sponsor and package |
| SEVIS I-901 fee | U.S. Department of Homeland Security (online) | After your DS-2019, before your interview | $35 (as of September 2026; subject to change) |
| Visa application fee (MRV) | U.S. visa application system | After the DS-160, when booking your appointment | $185 (as of September 2026; subject to change) |
| Visa reciprocity fee | – | – | None for Turkish citizens on a J visa |
| Health insurance | Provided or approved by your sponsor | Before your program starts | Varies by sponsor and package |
| Flight | Airline (included in some packages) | After your visa is approved | Varies by dates, route and package |
| Criminal record check and medical check | The relevant office and your doctor | During your application | Varies by document |
| Passport | Passport services in Türkiye | Before you apply | Per the current official fee schedule |
| Spending money | Your own budget | Your journey and travel period | Depends on your travel plans |
Official fees are as of September 2026 and may change; we'll confirm the current amounts with you during your application.
Request the current 2027 fee table
We'll send you a quote built around your sponsor options, with every included and excluded item spelled out.
What the camp provides: room, board and pay
What makes Camp and Travel so budget-friendly is that your basic living costs are covered during the camp season:
- Room: at camp, usually in a shared cabin, platform tent or dorm-style room.
- Board: all your meals at camp throughout the season.
- Pay: a seasonal salary equal to that of your American counterparts at camp; the amount depends on the sponsor, camp and position, and it's written into your contract.
With no rent or grocery bills, your spending stays low all season. You'll mostly budget your spending money around the 30-day travel period after camp.
Your personal quote: 6 questions to ask
When you review a Camp USA offer, get clear answers to these questions:
- What's included in the program fee, and what isn't?
- Is the flight included? If not, who arranges it?
- Which dates does my health insurance cover?
- Does my contract state my camp salary and when it's paid?
- Which fees are refunded if I'm not placed at a camp or my visa is refused?
- If I run into a problem in the U.S., who do I contact, and how?
Free consultation
Your personal quote for camp 2027
Leave your details and we'll call you within 1 business day to go through current sponsor options and each cost item with you.
- We help you pick the right program
- We check your eligibility and plan your timeline
- We share every cost item in writing
Prefer to talk right now?
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How much does Camp USA cost?
Your total cost is made up of the program (sponsor) fee, the SEVIS and visa application fees, insurance, your flight and documents. Because the program fee depends on the sponsor and package, and the flight on dates and route, a single number would be misleading. Room and board are usually covered by the camp. We'll prepare a current, itemized quote for you.
How much is the SEVIS fee for camp counselors?
For camp counselors, the SEVIS I-901 fee is $35 as of September 2026 and may change. That's lower than for most other J-1 programs. You pay it online after your sponsor issues your DS-2019 and before your visa interview, then bring the payment confirmation to your interview. We'll complete the payment steps with you.
What is the deadline for Camp USA 2027 applications?
Deadlines vary from sponsor to sponsor. Applications open in the fall, and camp placements continue through winter and spring; some sponsors can't guarantee placement for applications received after March. Since camps plan their staffing early, the safest route is to apply between September and December 2026. We'll map out your personal application timeline in your first consultation.
Is camp placement guaranteed?
No. Placement is decided by the sponsor and camps based on the camps' needs and your profile, and no consultancy can guarantee a camp placement. Applying early, strong references, clear skills and openness to different types of camps all improve your chances. If you aren't placed, the applicable refund terms are set out in your sponsor contract, and we'll go through them with you from the start.
If my visa is refused, will I get my money back?
Official payments such as the SEVIS fee and the visa application fee are non-refundable. However, if you reapply for the same program within 12 months, you won't pay the SEVIS fee again. Refund terms for the program fee depend on your sponsor and contract; we'll show you these terms in writing at the quote stage.
Is tax withheld from my camp salary?
Usually, yes: federal income tax is withheld from your camp pay. On the other hand, J-1 camp staff are exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes when they meet the conditions. At the end of the year, you file a U.S. tax return and can claim a refund if too much was withheld. Since the amount varies from person to person, we don't quote figures, but we explain the process at your orientation.
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