Summer Camp Agency Comparison - 2023
Choosing which summer camp agency to apply with can be a daunting prospect!
There are so many different options on the market, which makes it difficult to decide which summer camp agency to choose.
That’s why we have created this summer camp agency comparison - so first-time summer camp counselor applicants can get the low-down on each company and help you decide which agency to use.
We begin the article by providing a basic overview of each agency before narrowing the search down to some of our favourites.
We highlight some of the best summer camp agencies based on overall reputation, which agency is the most personable and which agency offers the cheapest route to get to the USA.
So, let’s dive into: Summer Camp Agency Comparison
Disclaimer - this blog post contains affiliate links where we can earn a commission if you make a purchase through them (at no extra cost to you).
*Fees in the chart exclude any 3rd party costs that need to be paid - we go through these 3rd party costs in detail below
*Salary is based on the minimum amount stated on the agency’s website - this can vary greatly depending on your age, skill, role, camp etc.
Summer Camp Agency Overview
We are going to begin the article by outlining what exactly a summer camp agency does and why you need them in order to apply to work as an international summer camp counselor.
Important note: the figures and information in this article are only relevant for 1st time, international summer camp applicants. If you live in the USA, have a US passport or have already worked at a summer camp and intend to return, then your process is going to look somewhat different.
Summer camp agencies essentially act as a middle-man between you, as the applicant, and the summer camps in America, the employers. The agencies require you to upload an application and/or CV, outlining your skills and why you intend to work at a summer camp.
The summer camp agency will then interview you in order to get a better sense of whether you’re a suitable applicant for working as a summer camp counselor. Once the summer camp agency has finished this process, it will decide whether to accept you into their summer camp counselor program.
If accepted, the summer camp agency will provide your application to many camps across the US in the hope they want to interview and, eventually, hire you. Once you are hired as a summer camp counselor and have signed your contract, the summer camp agency then assists you with the J-1 visa process.
Summer Camp Counselors during Color War - one of the highlights of the summer
What is a J-1 Visa and why do I need one?
A J-1 visa is a specific type of visa that allows you to work as a summer camp counselor, or support staff, in the USA for the summer. The same visa allows international students to study abroad in America, though the application process is slightly different.
To secure a J-1 Visa, you have to be ‘sponsored’ by an agency - essentially, it is the agency that is your guarantor and secures you a visa. A large proportion of the fees you pay to a summer camp agency goes towards them sponsoring your visa.
This is why it still costs money to return to camp for a second or third summer, even though you don’t have to use the summer camp agencies to find a camp as you have already worked there.
Important note: the J-1 Visa allows you to be in America up to 30 days before your camp contract begins and up to 30 days after your camp contract has ended. This gives you plenty of time to explore all the best places to travel to after camp.
What is a typical salary for summer camp counselors?
Unfortunately, this question does not have one true answer, it depends on a myriad of different factors.
Your summer camp wage depends on your role, your experience, your camp, your age and a number of other factors.
As a baseline, however, the minimum wage we can find throughout all the summer camp agency websites is around minimum $850 and this can go up all the way to $2000+.
Remember: being a summer camp counselor is all about the experience and memories created, not about how much money you earn.
What are the 3rd Party Costs involved?
3rd Party Costs are the costs incurred on top of your summer camp agency fees - these are really important to know in advance because you may only have a budget for £350 and assume that is enough to become a summer camp counselor, when in reality, it is going to cost more than the initial fee that the summer camp agencies quote you.
Typical 3rd party costs to be aware of when using summer camp agencies:
Police Background Check = £25-75
US Embassy appointment = $160 USD
Medical Check = Free - £50 (some GPs charge for this service)
Flight = £350+ return from UK
Summer Camp Counselors having fun on the lake
Booking your own flights vs. Summer Camp Agency flights
Some of the bigger summer camp agencies (Camp America; CCUSA etc.) provide an optional flight package alongside your application. This means that when you’re hired, they can also arrange your flights and one-night accommodation for you in the US.
On the face of it, this can be very appealing - take CCUSA for example:
CCUSA fees without flights = £375
CCUSA fees with flights included = £699
This means that you are essentially paying an extra £224 for return flights to the US - we have flown to the US numerous times and have never found a fare that cheap!
Here’s the catch: to recoup the money from you, summer camp agencies that provide flights will take a significant portion of your wage from you at the end of the summer.
CCUSA base salary (21+) without flights = $2000
CCUSA base salary (21+) with flights provided by CCUSA = $1200
As you can see, a significant portion of your salary is taken from you if you choose to have the summer camp agencies book your flight for you and don’t forget, you still have to pay that initial fee on top at the beginning when you choose your flights package.
Tug-of-war - a staple activity at summer camp
Our summer camp flight recommendation:
If you’re struggling with the rising costs of all of the fees involved in becoming a camp counselor, then you should take the ‘flights provided’ option from the summer camp agencies.
Yes, you have to pay the extra fee to the summer camp agency initially, but this will always be cheaper than buying your flights directly.
If you have the money to pay for your own flights - do it!
Using handy flight comparison websites like SkyScanner (renowned for having the cheapest trans-Atlantic flight prices) will ensure you get the best deal for your money and means you get paid the full amount you earn at the end of the summer!
Just remember:
As a consequence for paying less initially, you are going to earn significantly less throughout the summer.
You have to pay more initially when buying your own flights, but this cost is covered (and more) when you get your final wage at the end of the summer.
Camp Spirit!
Summer Camp Agency Comparison
Now that we have run you through all the basics about how summer camp agencies operate, it is time to actually compare them.
Here, we give you a breakdown of the fees associated with each of the agencies, as well as a quick overview of their application process and a brief look at the minimum salary you can expect to earn for the summer if you choose that agency.
American Summers
American Summers application process:
Complete your online application form
Have an interview with American Summers either in person (when possible) or via Skype
Following a successful interview, you will be accepted onto the program and your application will be sent to summer camps in the US
Have an interview with camp directors who liked the look of your application
Get hired by the camp and sign your camp contract
Begin the process of securing a J-1 Visa
American Summers fees:
Initial £50 fee to be accepted onto the American Summers program, paid before 1st interview - this is refundable if you don’t make it past this stage
£150 due once you have signed a contract with a summer camp
Total Cost: £200
American Summers base salary (according to their website):
“You will receive a minimum stipend of $2,000 USD and may be eligible to earn more depending on your age, skill set, and experience”
Camp America
Camp America application process:
Submit an online application, including 2 references
Pay the initial deposit and choose your own interviewer (usually in-person if it geographically possible)
Following a successful interview, you will be accepted onto the program and your application will be sent to summer camps in the US
Have an interview with camp directors who liked the look of your application
Get hired by the camp and sign your camp contract
Begin the process of securing a J-1 Visa
Camp America fees:
No flights Camp America option
1st Instalment - Initial £55 to get an interview (refundable if you don’t pass the interview stage)
2nd Instalment - £175 when you pass the interview stage - at this point, Camp America will send your application to summer camps in the US
3rd Instalment - £219 once you have signed your contract and received your J-1 visa documents
Total Cost (without flights): £449
Flights included Camp America option
1st Instalment - Initial £55 to get an interview (refundable if you don’t pass the interview stage)
2nd Instalment - £175 when you pass the interview stage - at this point, Camp America will send your application to summer camps in the US
3rd Instalment - £419 once you have signed your contract and received your J-1 visa documents
Total Cost (with flights): £649
Camp America base salary (according to their website):
“As a first year applicant you can expect to earn between $800-$1350 from your placement” - this is dependent on your age and whether you choose the flights-included options.
Wild Packs
Wild Packs application process:
Complete your online application form
Have an online/phone interview with Wild Packs
Following a successful interview, you will be accepted onto the program and your application will be sent to summer camps in the US
Have an interview with camp directors who liked the look of your application
Get hired by the camp and sign your camp contract
Begin the process of securing a J-1 Visa
Wild Packs fees:
£100 deposit for ‘proof of intent’ - only paid if accepted onto programme after your interview
£260 as the second installment
Total cost: £360
Wild Packs base salary (according to their website):
“At least $2000 salary when working at camp” - again, this can vary depending on which camp you are placed to work at.
Save money: get £25 off your Wild Packs fees when you mention ‘Ticket 4 Two Please’ on your application - find out more here.
BUNAC
BUNAC application process:
Submit an online application and pay the initial deposit
Following a successful video interview you will be accepted onto the ‘camp connect program’
On this program, you can search for camps yourself based on which roles and which type of summer camp you are interested to work at
Once you find a camp/role you like, you can request an interview with the summer camp director
If the interview is successful, you will be hired and sign your contract
Begin the process of securing a J-1 Visa
BUNAC fees:
£49 initial deposit
£166 after successful interview
£135 after being placed at a summer camp
Total Cost: £350
BUNAC base salary (according to their website):
“Irrespective of your age, skills or camp locations, as a first timer you’ll earn USD $2000 spending money at camp” - which they also state is up to $600 more than some other summer camp agencies.
CCUSA
CCUSA application process:
Complete your online application form
Have an interview with CCUSA
Following a successful interview, you will be accepted onto the program and your application will be sent to summer camps in the US
Have an interview with camp directors who liked the look of your application
Get hired by the camp and sign your camp contract
Begin the process of securing a J-1 Visa
CCUSA fees:
Own flights CCUSA option:
£40 application fee
£190 acceptance fee
£145 final deposit
Total Cost (without flights): £375
CCUSA flights option
£40 application fee
£190 acceptance fee
£469 final deposit
Total Cost (with flights): £699
CCUSA base salary (according to their website):
Below are the wages/pocket money you will earn depending on the CCUSA flight option you choose.
CCUSA Flight Option = $1200
Own Flight Option = $2000
AmeriCamp
AmeriCamp application process:
Start by choosing your payment option, before filling out an online application and selecting an interview date
Have an interview with one of the AmeriCamp team
Following a successful interview, you will be accepted onto the program and your application will be sent to summer camps in the US
Get interviewed, and hopefully hired, by a summer camp director
Sign your contract and begin the process of securing a J-1 Visa
AmeriCamp fees:
Payment option 1 - £379 - paid in full upon signing up to the program
Payment option 2 - £396 - across 3 instalments with a £49 deposit
Payment option 3 - £396 - across 6 monthly instalments with a £49 deposit
Total Cost: £379 or £396
AmeriCamp base salary (according to their website):
As quoted on the AmeriCamp website - “All Counsellors and Support Staff will earn a minimum of $2000”.
Camp Leaders
Camp Leaders application process:
Begin your online application and pay your initial deposit
Have an interview with a Camp Leaders team member
Finish your application and wait for an interview with a summer camp director
Get hired and sign your contract
begin the process of securing a J-1 Visa
Camp Leaders fees:
£49 deposit after applying to secure place on program and interview
1st instalment = £100
2nd instalment = £100
3rd instalment = £130
Total Cost: £379
Camp Leaders base salary (according to their website):
Salary (or “pocket money’) quoted on the Camp Leaders website:
Aged 18-20: $1650
Aged 21+: $1750
Certified specialist or special needs counselor: +$100 extra
Summer Camp Counselors hanging out together during orientation
Our choice for the Most Reputable Summer Camp Agency
Camp America
There can be little doubt when it comes to determining the most reputable summer camp agency - Camp America.
They are the industry leaders and have been placing applicants at summer camps since the summer of 1969. They are a credited J-1 visa sponsor agency, meaning you don’t they can sponsor your visa directly without having to get a company like IENA to sponsor it for them.
They also offer the ‘flights included’ option when applying, which can be very useful for younger applicants, particularly if it is the first time they will have ever travelled abroad by themselves.
Of course though, this reputation and global branding does come at a cost - Camp America has the most expensive fees and often your camp wage will be significantly lower than other summer camp agencies.
The pay-off for this is that Camp America arguably has the largest pool of summer camp contacts and also provides second-to-none service when it comes to peace and mind and assurances when you are in the US.
Fancy-dress at Timber Lake West
Our choice for the Most Personable Summer Camp Agency
Wild Packs
The benefit of going with one of the more medium-sized summer camp agencies is that you get the extra personable service that can sometimes be lacking from the bigger companies, simply because of the volume of applicants they have to process.
If you are nervous about applying, or feel as though you may have lots of questions, then we would recommend Wild Packs.
I (Ben) went through Wild Packs for my first summer in 2015 and they were excellent. On top of that, we also know a number of people that work in the office and know for sure they are incredibly friendly and willing to help you out at every stage.
Remember: quote ‘Ticket 4 Two Please’ to Wild Packs and get £25 off your application fees once you are successfully placed at a summer camp
Our choice for the Best-Value-For-Money Summer Camp Agency
American Summers
The majority of the summer camp agencies we have reviewed in this article charge somewhere in the region of £350 for the entire process of applying to work at an American summer camp (excluding 3rd party costs).
The one major outlier to this is American Summers - who unbelievably only charge £200 for the entire process (again, excluding 3rd party costs)
When you factor in that American Summers also offers guaranteed salaries of $2000, it is easy to see why they are our choice for the best-value-for-money summer camp agency, and by some distance.
There we have it folks, our conclusive summer camp agency comparison.
It can be daunting at first when deciding which summer camp agency to apply with, but rest assured that whichever agency you choose, you will have the best summer of your life.
Now that you know which summer camp agency to apply with, perhaps you will need these tips for nailing your summer camp interview!
*Full disclosure - we may earn a small referral fee with Wild Packs if you apply and quote ‘Ticket 4 Two Please’ on your application
