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BUNAC

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BUNAC are interning abroad & working abroad experts, offering summer camps in the US and working holidays for 60+ years. 

I've had a great experience with the BUNAC staff so far. Offering support with a number of questions and queries with no issues and fast responses. Special thanks to Evie for answering my many questions!

Amy has always been very helpful, answering questions, giving advice and responding quickly. I couldn’t have gone through my process without her!

BUNAC is a fabulous agency for camp. Customer service has always been amazing and the staff are super friendly. Had a lovely chat with Evie for my interview.

Great! Always ready to help and responds quickly!

BUNAC provided me with guidance and the opportunity to explore new horizons for my career growth and learning.

BUNAC has truly been the best choice for working at summer camps in the USA. Amy made everything incredibly easy and I felt supported every step of the way.

Cara and the team respond very quickly to any questions.

For my first time dealing with an agency, BUNAC (especially Cara) have been amazing. The process has been stress free and incredibly helpful.

Cara has gone above and beyond to help me with my application. She made the whole process smooth and far less daunting.

BUNAC provided thorough, engaging and reliable guidance for my summer camp season in the US. Lightning fast response times and fantastic support.

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**About our Youth Access Scholarship Fund**

Balancing profit with purpose, summer camp USA 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](https://jenza.com/about-us/scholarships/) page. 

Good to know

Most nationalities can apply, you’ll also need to be: 

- Aged 18-30 (you must be aged 18 by 1 June of the summer you're travelling)
- Have a confirmed contract from your camp (if you don't have this, apply [here](/summer-camp-usa) instead to enter our hiring pool and secure your placement)
- Be able to fly to the USA for the dates outlined in your camp contract 
- Be able to commit to the camp dates as outlined in your camp contract 
- Be a fluent English speaker with no criminal history 
- Have a passport that’s valid for at least six months beyond your stay 
- Have proof of an onward flight from the USA  

Am I eligible?

Direct Placement

To work at summer camp in America, you need to be eligible for a J1 cultural exchange visa. This allows you to work for the duration of your camp job – with 30 days before and after to travel. 

**Before we can start the process of sponsoring you, you must have a confirmed camp contract.**






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Who can apply as a Direct Placement?

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New Zealand

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Australia

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Europe

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Global

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Canada

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United Kingdom

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Our Direct Placement program provides the US sponsorship, J1 visa support, camp job vetting, required medical cover, and application processing for First-timers with their own job to work at camp for the summer. 

Secured your job directly with a camp?

Summer Camp USA Direct Placement

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If this is your first time going to camp, you've secured your job independently with a camp, and are now looking for the visa sponsorship to work in America – you've come to the right place. 

Part of the same travel family as IENA – one of the leading sponsors in the US – the process and paperwork to apply for your visa to work at camp is all done in-house. 

Booking as a Direct Placement with BUNAC, you'll also benefit from our First-timer camp salary of minimum USD $2,400 for the summer – one of the highest in the camp world. 

**Not your first time at camp?**

If you're returning to your camp, apply via our [Returner](/summer-camp-usa-returner) page. 

**Don't have a camp job yet?**

The easiest way to get hired is through our [First-timer](/summer-camp-usa) camp program where you'll have access to a hiring pool of 800+ summer camps. Based on your skills, Camp Directors will approach you for a video interview – and likewise, you can reach out to them to show your interest in their camp. We also have camp hiring fairs each year in Australia, the UK and Ireland where you can meet Camp Directors face-to-face and get hired on the day. 


Why apply as a Direct Placement with BUNAC? 

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Already found your job directly with a camp? BUNAC provides the in-house visa sponsorship and expert support to have an unforgettable summer at camp. 

BUNAC Summer Camp USA Direct Placement

18-30 | Jun-Sep | Own job 

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 non-scary camp coaching session 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 to get ready for your camp consultation. 

Apply + book your coaching call 

Once you’ve applied, you’ll complete your sponsorship application with IENA. 

In the resources section of your online account, you’ll find everything you need to fill out your sponsorship application. Ultimately, this application needs to be approved by our US sponsor and is what allows you to work in America – so it’s time to make it shine! You’ll need to provide your education history, childcare experience, a personal statement and two references from a teacher, employer or non-relative adult. 

You’ll need to ensure you have all written sections of your IENA application completed before your coaching session. 

Work on your sponsorship application 

This is a one-on-one 30-minute call with the BUNAC team or one of our camp alumni. It’s designed to check your eligibility, discuss your skills and motivation for working at camp, and go through your application to make sure it’s hitting the right notes. It’s also your chance to ask any questions you have about the programme or your summer at camp. 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. 

Attend your coaching call 

Once your IENA application is complete, you’ve attended your coaching call, and your second payment has been received, we’ll submit your application to IENA for review. Once reviewed and everything has the okay, your application will move forward and you will be marked as hired with your camp, 

Submit your application 

Once you’ve been marked as hired, you’ll need to make your final payment before your DS-2019 can be issued and released to you. At this stage, make sure all your documents are uploaded and up to date, including both completed references and your camp contract. 

Once your final payment has been received and IENA has issued your DS-2019, your sponsorship paperwork will be available to download on your IENA application and you can move on to the visa stage. 

Receive your sponsorship paperwork

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. 

Attend your US Embassy interview

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 BUNAC 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. 

Book flights + have your pre departure orientation 

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. This is to connect with your USA summer camp family and complete your training. Going from your home life to camp life can feel like a shock to the system. But go with it. Guaranteed, once you settle in, you won’t be able to imagine spending a summer anywhere else! 

Arrive at camp for your arrival orientation

The whole process – from submitting your application to vetting your camp job and preparing your sponsorship paperwork to apply for your J1 visa – can take anywhere between 30 days to 3-6 months. Applications for the summer typically close in Mar/Apr, but to avoid embassy appointment shortages and delays, we advise applying as early as possible. 