Summer Camp Jobs in the USA 2027
Earn from $2,400 for nine weeks at an American summer camp, with room, meals and insurance included, then travel the USA for up to 30 days.
Work at an American summer camp with Skilled Summers
- Ages 18–30
- J-1 visa support
- No teaching qualification needed
Spend nine weeks living and working at a residential summer camp in the USA, coaching campers and sharing the activities you love. You'll earn from $2,400 for the summer, with room, meals and medical insurance included. TEFL UK runs this programme with our partner Skilled Summers, who match you with a camp that suits your skills and support you from application to arrival. When camp finishes, you'll have up to 30 days to explore America.
- From $2,400Salary for the summer
- 9 weeksAt camp, including a training week
- Room & mealsPlus medical insurance
- 30 daysTo travel the USA after camp
What's included in your summer camp package
Skilled Summers handles the logistics of getting you to camp, so you can focus on the summer itself.
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Camp salary
A minimum of $2,400 for the summer, on top of your board and lodging.
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Room and meals
You'll live on site at camp, with accommodation and meals provided throughout your contract.
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Medical insurance
Cover for the full length of your camp contract.
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J-1 visa support
Skilled Summers' visa partner, IENA, supports your J-1 visa application.
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Matched to your skills
You'll be matched with a camp chosen for your skills, experience and interests, not just whichever has a vacancy.
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Personal support
Help at every stage, from your application and camp interviews to pre-departure orientation.
Summer camp salary and programme costs
Camp is one of the most affordable ways to spend a summer in the USA, because your food and accommodation are covered for the whole contract.
Your camp salary for the summer
- Room and meals at camp for nine weeks
- Medical insurance for your contract
- A training week before campers arrive
- Up to 30 days to travel after camp
| Cost | UK & Ireland | Other countries |
|---|---|---|
| Programme fee (paid in full) | From £400 | $650 |
| Programme fee (in stages) | £475 | $750 |
| US embassy visa fee | $185 | $185 |
| Police check | £55 (ACRO) | Varies |
| Flights (guide) | £350–£600 | $450–$1,000 |
Programme fees are set by Skilled Summers and may change. We'll confirm the current figures when you apply.
Life after camp in the USA
When camp ends, your J-1 visa gives you up to 30 days to travel. Many of our partner camps are in the north-eastern USA, within easy reach of New York City, so it's easy to head for the city, take a road trip or fly out west.
Roles for every kind of skill
Camps recruit for a huge range of activities. If you're an experienced coach, a creative, an outdoor enthusiast, a rider, a musician or a performer, there's a role where you can put your skills into practice.
- Sports and fitness
- Equestrian
- Outdoor adventure
- Water sports
- Creative arts
- Performing arts
- Education
- STEM
- Childcare
- Specialist activities
Requirements to work at a US summer camp
The requirements are straightforward, so the programme is open to a wide range of applicants.
- Aged 18 to 30. Some camps prefer staff aged 20 and over.
- A skill to share. A sport, outdoor activity, art, music, performance or another specialism.
- Experience with children. Not essential, but a big plus with camps.
- Available for at least nine weeks, starting between 1 May and 21 June 2027.
- Two referees who have known you for at least six months (not friends or family).
- No teaching qualification needed. Energy, patience and a love of the outdoors matter most.
Is summer camp good experience for teaching?
Many camp roles involve working directly with children, so the programme is ideal if you're thinking about teaching, coaching or youth work. Leadership, teamwork, communication and working with children are exactly what schools and employers look for, and a summer at camp gives you real experience to talk about at interview.
Why apply through TEFL UK?
TEFL UK has helped thousands of people work and teach abroad. We'll check your eligibility, introduce you to Skilled Summers and help with your application. Afterwards we can help you plan your next step, whether that's another summer at camp or teaching English abroad.
How to apply for summer camp jobs through TEFL UK
Five steps take you from application to your first day at camp.
Apply with TEFL UK
Send the form on this page. We'll check your eligibility and introduce you to Skilled Summers.
Build your profile
Tell us about your skills, experience and references so camps can see what you offer.
Interview with camps
Most applicants are interviewing with camps within two weeks of their application reaching the US office.
Accept an offer and apply for your visa
Choose a camp that's the right fit, then apply for your J-1 visa with support from IENA and join a pre-departure orientation.
Fly to camp
A training week, then nine weeks of camp, then up to 30 days to travel.
Camps we work with
Skilled Summers works with established residential camps across the USA and Canada. Every camp has its own culture, setting and activities, so the focus is on finding the right fit for you.
- French Woods Sports & Arts
- Camp Chipinaw
- Laurel South
- Camp Lindenmere
- International Sports Training Camp
- Fernwood
- Schodack
- Westmont
- Med-O-Lark
- Frost Valley YMCA
- Camp Speers YMCA
- IGC
- Kippewa
- Nashoba
- Wyonegic
- Berkshire Soccer Academy
Which TEFL course pairs best with summer camp?
Thinking of teaching English abroad after camp? An online TEFL fits around your summer, so you can study before you fly or during your travel time.
120-Hour TEFL
£63
The quickest route to an internationally recognised TEFL certificate.
- Study online at your own pace
- Fits around your camp contract
- Ideal first step into teaching English abroad
168-Hour Level 5 TEFL
£269
Ofqual-regulated Level 5, the qualification employers look for most.
- Ofqual Level 5 certified
- Stronger theory and deeper academic context
- Competitive edge for jobs in Asia, Europe and the Middle East
Summer camp USA: your questions answered
How much do summer camp counsellors get paid?
Camp counsellors on this programme earn a minimum of $2,400 for the summer. Room, meals and medical insurance are included on top, so most of what you earn is yours to spend or save for travelling after camp.
How much does the summer camp programme cost?
The Skilled Summers programme fee starts from £400 for UK and Ireland applicants paying in full (£475 in stages), or $650 ($750 in stages) for other countries. You'll also pay the $185 US embassy visa fee, a police check and your flights. Fees are set by Skilled Summers and may change, so we'll confirm current figures when you apply.
Who can apply to work at a US summer camp?
You need to be aged 18 to 30 (some camps prefer 20 and over), have a skill to share such as a sport, outdoor activity, art, music or performance, and be available for at least nine weeks starting between 1 May and 21 June 2027. You'll also need two referees who have known you for at least six months and aren't friends or family. Experience with children is a big plus.
Do I need a visa?
Yes. Camp staff travel on a J-1 visa. Skilled Summers' visa partner, IENA, supports your application, and you pay the US embassy visa fee of $185.
Can I travel after camp?
Yes. Once your camp contract ends, you have up to 30 days to travel the USA. Many partner camps are in the north-eastern USA, within easy reach of New York City.
When should I apply?
Applications for summer 2027 are open now. Applying early gives you more time to build your profile and interview with camps, and most applicants are interviewing within two weeks of their application reaching the US office.
Do I need to be a teacher?
No. You don't need a teaching qualification. Camps want people with a skill to share, plus energy and patience. If you're thinking about teaching in future, camp gives you valuable experience working with children.
Why apply through TEFL UK?
TEFL UK runs this programme with Skilled Summers. We check your eligibility, introduce you to Skilled Summers and support your application, and we can help you plan your next step afterwards, including teaching English abroad.
Ready for a summer at camp in the USA?
Apply through TEFL UK in a few minutes, and our team will introduce you to Skilled Summers and support your application.
Applications are open now for May and June 2027 starts. Questions? Email [email protected].