Jewish Camps USA

Yes, we will do all that we can if you have a preference in who you wish to go to camp with. However, we cannot guarantee anything because we do not offer you the camp contract, and for this reason you need to be prepared to go without your friend.

Yes, on the first conversation that we have with you we will ask if you want to go to the same camp as your sibling went to. If you do, that’s great! It will be the camp you go to but of course they still have to hire you for the job.

You need to be 18 by the time of travelling to camp. This is due to visa regulations.

Camps begin from the end of May to the end of June. The earlier you can go, the more opportunities available to you. The camps start date is dependant on the state the camp is located.

We have staff from every country and community around the world. No matter where you live you can have the JCUSA experience.

Yes, please make sure that you make your references aware that Jewish Camps USA will contact them after you have completed your application form.

After you have applied to Jewish Camps USA, we will interview you. Your interview will be conducted by ambassadors who have worked at camp in the past.

The purpose of our interview is to train, guide and support you so that you are prepared to speak with a camp director. The interview supplies us with all the information that we need to give you the best camp and the best role suited for all of your requirements.

If on the unlikely chance you do not pass our interview then unfortunately we will not be able to take you any further onto the program. However we are here to help, support and train you through the application and interview stages. We understand that you may be scared and nervous during your interview, but it is really important to be positive and show your outgoing character, as that is what is needed at camp. Jewish Camps USA will hold second interviews when needed as we only want you to be successful.

JCUSA will send your profile to a specific camp that meets your requirements. JCUSA will then prepare you for the conversation with the camp director. You will then have the conversation(s) and will speak to the camp director either face to face or online anytime from November until April. Once the director decides to hire you to work at camp for the summer, they will either offer you the job at the interview or you will receive an emailing confirming your job either from the camp or JCUSA. At this point your dates, role and salary will all be confirmed.

Yes, every person that goes to camp with Jewish Camps USA must have an up to date background check. Every year a new check must be obtained to go to camp, due to visa and camp regulations.

Once you are hired at camp, the camp director will let you know what they need from you. Very often one of these documents is a medical check. Each camp does this differently, some will require that you get a medical check completed by the doctor and other camps may only ask that you fill out a form with a self-assessment on your medical background.

Yes, every person that goes to camp must have J1 medical insurance to cover your stay in the US. This is included in your Jewish Camps USA package.

To work at a summer camp in America you need to gain a J-1 visa and we help you with every step. You will have to go to the American embassy to get your visa. You won’t need a travel visa to go to America as you will be on a J-1 visa.

We have an expert visa team who have years of experience and knowledge about embassies from all over the world. If you aren’t in your home country for whatever reason, we are happy to help you to facilitate getting your visa whilst you are away. If you are in Israel on a program for example, we can help with this.

Jewish Camps USA will tell you the date you need to arrive and into what airport for your outbound journey to camp. You can then go ahead and book your flight. Here at JCUSA we are here to help you and will advise you on what flight other staff from your camp are on, so you can fly as a delegation. We will also provide you with experienced information on how to book your return journey.

If you need any financial assistance, please contact us. JCUSA and Camp will keep everything confidential and help can be provided if needed on a case by case basis as we want to support you as much as possible in any way needed.

Yes, you are required to attend orientation days prior to going to camp. There will be an orientation day in a city near to you with other Jewish Camps USA staff members and depending on your home country in addition there will be a big Jewish Camps USA orientation day for everyone going to your camp. You are required to attend all training events and we will let you know when these are.

No matter your background or beliefs you will feel at home and comfortable being able to be who you want to be. We have selected what we believe are the best Jewish camps in America for you to have the best Jewish experience.

All camps will recognise Shabbat, but they will recognise it in different ways. Some embed a rule where you must only wear white on Friday night, most of the camps will have a Friday night service and the services will mostly be held in the outdoors and this will all contribute to giving Shabbat an extra special feeling.

What you experience at camp for Shabbat may be different to what you are used to at home, it is really important that you are open to different levels of Judaism and let us know in your application form and interview your level of Judaism. You will be required to obide by the camps Jewish way of living and remember that each camper coming to camp will come from a different religious background.

You will be able to meet Jewish staff from around the world and there will also be staff and campers at camp that are not Jewish.

Yes, we do have Shomer Shabbat camps and as long as you let us know of this requirement, we will make sure that you go to a camp suited to you. As a Jewish organisation we understand that everyone has different religious requirements.

The camps that we work with are all Kosher except for a minute few which are Kosher style.

Before you go to camp we will provide you with an in depth packing list to give you a guide on what to pack. You should also look at your camps website as many will have a packing list, so you should also take this into consideration.

It is important to consider the different themed days that many camps will have such as: international days for example, Israel day. You should take decorations and clothes from your home country. Most camps have a colour war (Maccabia) so we recommend you taking different coloured t-shirts. It is important to remember not to take anything to camp that you would be upset about if it got lost, however if you wanted some nicer clothes for travelling you could always keep this in your suitcase.

If your interview with the camp director doesn’t go well, as long as nothing drastic happened, we will simply send your profile to another camp. Again, it is really important to be positive and fun during the interview with director at the same time as portraying your skills and experience with children as this is what they will be looking for. Prior to your interview with the camp we will give you a quick call to help you to prepare for the interview with the camp director.

Yes, a part of the Jewish Camps USA programme is that you will never go to camp alone and you will be part of a JCUSA delegation. You will meet the rest of your delegation at the orientation day.

You must arrange your own transport to and from the airport you are departing from.

About a month before you fly to camp we will let you know how to get from the airport to camp. The camp will either; pick you up from the airport and take you there, give you directions on how to get to camp or to a local bus station which they will then collect you from.

Some camps may request that you stay with a host family the night that you land at the airport. The host family are a family that have been going to this camp for years and they love to host international staff.

The time that you work at camp will vary but it is on average 9 weeks. After camp ends you will have the opportunity to travel around America for up to 30 days. This is the length of time that your visa allows you to stay in America for.

How much time off you get varies with each camp, however on average you can expect an hour break each day as well as a 24 hour period off for every week that you work. Some camps give more and some give less, so this is something you will be told about when you arrive at camp.

This varies with each camp. For first year staff, our camps will pay a minimum of $1900 and up to, depending on the state, $2400. You will be taxed and the amount varies (usually around 10%). What you will receive before tax will be on your camp contract which you will gain before you go to camp. Each camp pays through different methods, you may be paid by cheque, cash or onto a card and you may be paid weekly, fortnightly, monthly or at the end of the summer. This will all be on your contract.

We try to visit as many camps as possible each summer, however, we are unable to visit every camp each summer. Whether we visit your specific camp or not, we are always here to support you throughout the summer via phone and email.

It is really important to remember that it may take a few days until you settle into the new and exciting environment at camp. Each situation is reviewed on a case by case basis.

You can leave camp if you want to for any reason, however be prepared that you will have to speak with your camp director to arrange this and you are on the other side of the world. Please remember to speak to us before making a decision on this as we are here to help and support you throughout the summer.

It will be up to you to arrange your travel arrangements back home and you will be paid pro-rata.

Yes of course, even though this is summer camp it is still a serious job and if your camp director is not happy with you for whatever reason, you may be asked to leave. If this was to happen you can expect to be taken out of camp within an hour. It will be up to you to arrange your travel arrangements back home.

Yes, you can leave the country one day after your contract finishes if you wish to return home / travel elsewhere straight away.

Yes, we work with amazing camps in Canada. Please fill in an application as normal and when you are asked if you are interested in a camp in Canada, click yes!

Jewish Camps USA is the only global Jewish organisation offering you the opportunity to work at only the best Jewish overnight summer camps. We work personally with you to make sure you work at the right camp for you, with a one-to-one service available at all times of the day.

Every summer we have had 100% success rate making sure everyone goes to a Jewish summer camp. We guarantee you a job at a Jewish summer camp once you have passed the Jewish Camps USA interview.

Your future, your life and your summer is our priority. We also have the lowest costs and highest pay.

Jewish Camps USA is the biggest UK Jewish summer experience.

Yes! You can apply to be a camper at the best Jewish overnight Summer Camp in America right here. Jewish Camps USA will guide and support you in providing the most unique experience of a lifetime.

 

Our camps are suitable for campers of all ages and start from June until August, from 2 weeks up to 4 weeks. Our camps are situated all across the United States and offer amazing activities and programs and will fulfil any Jewish requirements that you may need. Camp creates an environment where campers can grow, try new things and be who they wish to be. There is also sponsorship available if needed.

If you have any questions that are not listed above do not hesitate to contact us at info@jewishcampsusa.com