Summer '27 applications are open
The team behind the scenes
Summer Camp USA Support Staff
Not looking for a childcare or activity facing role?
From kitchen staff to maintenance crew, our Camp Support program is for full-time students who want the experience of working at a summer camp – but without the responsibility of looking after campers.
About
What is the Camp Support Staff program?
At a glance
From USD $XXX
18-30 + full-time uni student
9-12 week job (Jun-Aug)
No childcare experience required
Manual, practical + physical roles
Minimum USD $2,400 salary
Meals + accommodation included
The need to know
Who can go?
What jobs can I do?
What about pay and perks?
Visa + cost
Check your eligibility
Deposit
USD $35
Next payment
USD $175
Final payment
USD $289
Total
USD $499
Police check
This a condition of your visa sponsorship, and is typically done online in your home country for free or a small fee.
US Embassy fee
This is paid directly to the US Embassy and currently costs USD $185 (+ an additional $215 for Australia passport holders)
I-94 arrival fee
Paid directly to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and currently costs USD $24
Visa integrity fee
We're anticipating the US will bring in a refundable USD $250 visa integrity fee for future departures. More info to follow
Support funds
You may be required to show proof that you can access USD $800
Travel insurance for camp
Medical cover is included, but you must also purchase travel insurance
Flights
We don’t recommend booking flights until your J-1 visa is approved
Travel after camp
Get 10% off worldwide Contiki trips before you go! Friends = benefits
About our Youth Access Scholarship Fund
Balancing profit with purpose, summer camp only works for us if it works for others too. BUNAC donates 5% of profits to our Youth Access Scholarship Fund so that young people from under-served and lower-income backgrounds can experience working at camp. Find out more on our JENZA Travel Group scholarship page.
How it works
How do I apply and get hired?
BUNAC Support Staff applications are typically open from Sep-Mar. Due to the availability of roles and embassy appointments, we recommend starting your application as early as possible.
Your countdown to camp
- Check the visa eligibility on this page, hit ‘apply now’ and create your profile. You can then access your online account anytime from the top of this page. Once you’ve paid your deposit, you’ll need to book a camp consultation with the BUNAC team. This is a visa requirement and is to check your eligibility and make sure that the camp program is right for you. You can then move onto your sponsorship application – ready for your camp consultation.
1-2 days
- Before your camp consultation, you’ll need to start filling out your sponsorship application. This includes starting to upload your documents – including your CV, passport copy and proof of student status. Your camp call will last around 20 minutes and is a good time to get all your questions answered. It’s also a chance to ask questions. While this is a strictly non-interview dress scenario, you need to show up – physically and mentally – to get the most out of the call and to set yourself up for the next step. After the call, you’ll need to make your second payment.
1-2 days
- Once you’ve paid your second payment, your application will go into the camp hiring pool which typically opens in September. Based on your skills and role preferences, Camp Directors will approach you to set up a video interview and likewise, you can express interest in camps.You can apply for this program with a friend, just be aware that each applicant will be hired on their own merit, so there is no guarantee that you will be hired together.
7-30+ days
- You’ll then have a video interview with your camp. This is a job interview, so make sure you're prepared and are professional. If you get offered a role, we advise taking it as we can’t guarantee you’ll be offered more than one interview. Plus, be open-minded – Camp Directors are experts at recruiting, so trust that you’re a great fit for that camp. If you’re struggling to get hired, our Camp Crew will step in, help you to improve your application and try to match you to a position.
1-2 days
- To work in the USA, you need a US sponsor. Our IENA team will secure your DS-2019 paperwork which will be sent to you electronically. This document allows you to apply for your J1 visa. This involves an online application and in-person interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in your home country. We recommend booking your embassy appointment the day you receive your DS-2019, as it isn't unusual for embassy appointments to get booked up or run out of appointments in the lead up to camp.
1-2 days
- In your online account, you’ll find step-by-step guidance on filling out your online J1 application and prepping for your US Embassy interview. The embassy will keep your passport for 7-10 days, returning it by post along with your visa stamp. So if you have any trips booked in the lead up to camp or need a new passport, make sure you factor this into your timelines. Unfortunately, camp providers don’t have any control over the availability of visa appointments or the outcome of your appointment.
7-10+ days
- Once you have your J1 visa, it’s safe to book your flights and travel insurance. Make sure you book a return ticket – as you’ll need this to get through US immigration. In Apr/May, the IENA team run camp orientations via group video calls to get you all set up for life at camp. As well as being mandatory for your visa, it’s also a great way to connect and get all your camp questions answered.
1-7 days
- While many summer camps offer transport, camps are scattered all over the USA and our travellers fly in from all over the world, so you’re responsible for getting from the airport to your camp. Typically, you’ll arrive a week before your campers to get to know your role and complete any training.
Got questions?
We’ve got answers
Although each camp is different, Camp Counsellors are people-facing roles where you are typically responsible for supervising a group of campers. For General Counsellors, this might look like taking them to their daily acitivities, and for Activity Specialists, leading them in that sport or activity. Often it's a hybrid role where you do a bit of everything – getting involved in every aspect of camp life from supervising bunk clean-ups and mealtimes to planning colour wars! Depending on the camp and accommodation, Camp Counsellors (particularly in their first year) will typically live with their campers. At the heart and spirit of camp life – these roles are hugely rewarding, impactful and will look great on your CV. Find out more about working as a Camp Counsellor here.
Support Staff are non child-facing roles manual roles, where you are part of a team that helps to cook, clean, fix and maintain the camps. You therefore don't require childcare experience for this program. When it comes to the types of jobs camps hire for, think about everything that is involved in running a camp – from food service to grass strimming. Camps also may recruit admin staff, however, these roles are harder to come by. Support Staff live separately from the campers, typically in their own staff-only quarters on the camp. Again, it depends on the camp, but this can mean you have less interaction with the Camp Cousellors, Campers and traditional camp life.
- This type of J1 visa is a cultural exchange visa that is designed for students to undertake seasonal summer work in the USA during their uni or college summer holidays. Your eligibility is therefore dependent on the location of the university that you are studying at, rather than your passport nationality. For example, if you are an Aussie or Kiwi studying at a European or Northern Hemisphere university – your term and holiday times would align with the J1 Summer Work Travel visa and you would therefore be eligible for this program.
- Support Staff earn the same as First-time Camp Counsellors – minimum USD 2,400 for the summer with $275/week or $45/day for any additional time working at camp. Plus, all your meals and accommodation are included when you're at camp.
Around the campfire