Can I do it?
- Any passport
- Aged 18+ when you apply
- You must be a post-secondary student, youth worker, teacher or someone with specialised skills, with English good enough to supervise American young people.
Source: U.S. Department of State
Meeting these means you appear to meet the published criteria. The decision is always the government's or provider's.
What it costs
The official page doesn't publish a fixed fee for this route. Check it before you apply.
What's covered
- Wage: Pay and benefits in line with American counsellors at the same camp
Source: U.S. Department of State
How to apply
Choose a designated Camp Counselor sponsor from the State Department's list.
Source: U.S. Department of State
Apply through the sponsor, who interviews you, checks references and issues your J-1 paperwork.
Source: U.S. Department of State
Know before you go
You can only take part through a designated J-1 sponsor, and sponsors charge their own programme fees. Compare them before you pay.
Where to apply
Find a sponsor (U.S. Department of State)Sources and checks
Last checked against these pages on 5 November 2026; next check due by 3 February 2027. How we check facts