Travel Talk / Summer Camp
How working at summer camp can help your career
Victoria Whitehouse
Sep 10
Giving you a bunk load of transferrable skills, here’s why working as a Camp Counsellor is a total bootcamp for your CV
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Saving summers since 1972
Summer camps + working holidays
Spend the summer getting paid to do what you love with the Summer Camp USA experts. Earn money, explore America and make a difference. Here's our pitch...
Hello, sunshine! Welcome to the new home for BUNAC + JENZA camp
Why Bunac
Camp legends
We’ve been running our summer camp program since 1972.
Hype squad
All our dedicated Camp Crew have worked at summer camp.
Giving back
5% of all profits go to our Youth Access Scholarship Fund.
As seen on
Bunac Camp
Why go to summer camp?
Welcome to our happy place. Founded by students in the 60’s, BUNAC launched its first Summer Camp USA program in 1972! From coaching sports to teaching arts – it's the chance to turn your passion into a paid summer job. You’ll get to live in incredible locations, make friends from all over the world, and help to shape the lives of children and young people. All while getting a bunkload of new skills that future you will time-travel high-five you for. Plus, BUNAC has one of the highest first-time salaries and lowest program costs. Good job.
Jenza Work + Intern
What if I don't like summer?
Or kids? Or grass? Head over to our JENZA site – the new home for BUNAC working holidays and international internships. Same team, same experiences – different name. The ‘less-likely-to-live-in-the-woods' sibling to BUNAC camp, earn as you explore in Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and UK. Whether you’re looking to bankroll your gap year with a working holiday, fund your winter with a ski season or get ahead with a professional internship – JENZA does the works. Setting you up with the visa help, job support and arrival assistance you need to work the world.
What's new
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News that will send you packing
Dollar bills, yo
USD $250 extra salary for 2025!
We're always thinking about your wallet (not in a theft-y way). Our first-timer camp pocket money has increased to a minimum USD $2,250 for the summer. Plus, meals and accommodation are included at camp! We'll wait for your call...
We're always thinking about your wallet (not in a theft-y way). Our first-timer camp pocket money has increased to a minimum USD $2,250 for the summer. Plus, meals and accommodation are included at camp! We'll wait for your call...FIND OUT MORE
Carry on camping
We know what you did last summer...
We really need to learn to be less creepy. If you've already been to summer camp with BUNAC or either of our sibling brands (JENZA or USIT) and you're returning to the same camp, book now for summer '25 with our loyalty returner rate!
We really need to learn to be less creepy. If you've already been to summer camp with BUNAC or either of our sibling brands (JENZA or USIT) and you're returning to the same camp, book now for summer '25 with our loyalty returner rate! FIND OUT MORE
Making travel work
Our Youth Access Scholarship fund is open
We donate 5% of profits to our scholarship fund to help support young people from lower-income and under-served backgrounds to have the career and confidence shaping experience of working overseas.
We donate 5% of profits to our scholarship fund to help support young people from lower-income and under-served backgrounds to have the career and confidence shaping experience of working overseas. FIND OUT MORE
Meet the fam
JENZA is the new name for BUNAC working holidays
Although we’re the same team behind the scenes, the JENZA Travel Group is made up of three travel brands – including BUNAC and JENZA. Going back to our 1972 roots, BUNAC is now everything Summer Camp USA, and JENZA is all things work and intern.
Although we’re the same team behind the scenes, the JENZA Travel Group is made up of three travel brands – including BUNAC and JENZA. Going back to our 1972 roots, BUNAC is now everything Summer Camp USA, and JENZA is all things work and intern. FIND OUT MORE
More ways to work the world
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With our Jenza crew
Meet the BUNAC Camp Crew
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The team who've been
Roisin
Sales Team Leader
Camp: Camp Pondicherry, Maine
Summers at camp: 3
Job: Assistant Camp Director
This one time, at camp... in my first summer, I was teaching archery (I'd never done archery before FYI, so it was something cool to learn). Anyway, I was coaching a group of seven-year olds and one of them shot their arrow a bit too far and hit a water pipe. Ooops.
Niall
Camp Co-ordinator
Camp: Island Lake Camp, Pennsylvania
Summers at camp: 6
Job: Group Leader
This one time, at camp... there was a skunk outside our bunk that got scared and sprayed. The whole bunk had to be evacuated, everyone's clothes had to be washed five or six times, and it took two days before we were able to sleep in there again.
Amy
Camp Sales Specialist
Camp: Camp Alleghany for Girls, West Virginia
Summers at camp: 4
Job: Head of Junior Camp
This one time, at camp... I came back to the hut and there was a snake under my bed! It was harmless, but definitely gave me a fright. When you do come face-to-face with 'less cute and cuddly' wildlife at camp, I always think it's a fair price to pay for getting to live amongst such awesome nature!
Kish
The Social Squad
Camp: Camp Pontiac, New York
Summers at camp: 3
Job: Videographer
This one time, at camp... during orientation all the staff went to the turf to star gaze. We blasted HSM and Coldplay songs, it was so wholesome and that was the first time I saw a shooting star!
Victoria
The Social Squad
Camp: Tyler Hill Camp, Pennsylvania
Summers at camp: 5
Job: Girls Head Counsellor
This one time, at camp... I decided to put together an end of summer slideshow for my campers. We all took blankets and pillows down to the lake and had a projector and screen set up, it was easily one of my fave nights in my whole camp career and a memory that will stay with me forever.
The BUNAC blog
All the summer camp inspo and intel
We're in your camp
Travel happy with our Extra Mile Promise
Our company's values are all about the four A's. Authenticity, Accessibility, Accountability and not being an A-hole. So when it comes to what we do, we own it. If you're not happy with part of your BUNAC experience, we'll put a human on it to sort it - or refund it. T&Cs apply.
Upcoming events
Get hired or get the intel
In-person camp hiring days | UK + Ireland
28 Jan Dublin | 01 Feb London
Meet Camp Directors face-to-face, connect with others heading to camp, and (fingers crossed) get hired on the day. To register your interest, apply for Summer Camp USA and let us know which city you'd like to attend. We can't wait to see your face, but don't worry if you can't make an in-person event - the quickest way to get hired is in our hiring pool.
Summer Camp USA | Application do's and don'ts
Virtual info session | 13 Jan @ 18:00 GMT
The team who've been - join our BUNAC Camp Crew as they take you through how to create a top notch summer camp application. This group info video session will last for around 30 mins, sign up now using the link.
View all events
Friends = benefits
Unlock 10% off Contiki when you book with BUNAC
Looking for a little pre or post trip action? We've teamed up with Contiki to bring you the ultimate work and travel dream team. Check your online account to access your 10% off code to use before you head to camp.
JENZA Travel International Ltd, trading as BUNAC, is a company registered in Dublin, Ireland with Registered Company No. 707281 and registered address at 29-31 South William St, Dublin, Ireland, D02 EY96.