Camp Counselor
Regulations pertaining specifically to the Camp Counselor category are found at [22 CFR 62.30].
Camp Counselors interact directly with groups of American youth by overseeing their activities in a camp setting during the U.S. summer season. Non-counseling chores may be an occasional part of camp life; however, program participants do not serve as "staff" — including (but not limited to) administrative personnel, cooks, or menial laborers such as dishwashers or janitors. Foreign university students, youth workers, and other specially qualified individuals at least 18 years of age and proficient in English may work as counselors in U.S. Summer camps for up to four months. Extensions are not permitted.
All program participants must be placed prior to their arrival in the United States at camping facilities which are either accredited; a member in good standing of the American Camping Association; or affiliated with a nationally recognized nonprofit organization; or inspected, evaluated, and approved by the sponsor.
Participants receive pay and benefits commensurate with those offered to their U.S. counterparts. Sponsors must provide information on the duties, responsibilities and contractual obligations relative to accepting a camp counselor position to their participants prior to departure from the home country. Please refer to the regulations for details.