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Camp Counselor
Regulations pertaining specifically to the Camp Counselor category are
found at [22 CFR 62.30].
Camp Counselors interact directly with groups of American youth by overseeing
their activities in a camp setting during the U.S. summer season. Non-counseling
chores may be an occasional part of camp life; however, program participants
do not serve as "staff" including (but not limited to)
administrative personnel, cooks, or menial laborers such as dishwashers
or janitors. Foreign university students, youth workers, and other specially
qualified individuals at least 18 years of age and proficient in English
may work as counselors in U.S. Summer camps for up to four months. Extensions
are not permitted.
All program participants must be placed prior to their arrival in the
United States at camping facilities which are either accredited; a member
in good standing of the American Camping Association; or affiliated with
a nationally recognized nonprofit organization; or inspected, evaluated,
and approved by the sponsor.
Participants receive pay and benefits commensurate with those offered
to their U.S. counterparts. Sponsors must provide information on the duties,
responsibilities and contractual obligations relative to accepting a camp
counselor position to their participants prior to departure from the home
country. Please refer to the regulations for details.
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