Compare American summer camps 2025
Want to work at an American summer camp but don't know which company to go with? Compare the top American summer camp agencies and get the most from your summer abroad.
Credit: S_Photo (background), NirdalArt (left), Luciano Mortula - LGM (right) – Shutterstock
Fancy travelling halfway across the world and getting paid to have the experience of a lifetime? Working at an American summer camp is the stuff of dreams. And for thousands of students every year, it's a reality.
But while working abroad for the summer is an exciting possibility, we know from experience that choosing which company to go with can be confusing. There are tons of individual reviews online, but how can you compare them?
We've done the research and put together an up-to-date comparison table and reviews of the main American summer camp companies available.
USA summer camps comparison
| Company | Salaries | First-timer costs | Returner costs |
|---|---|---|---|
 | $2,250+ | £399 – £419 | £395 – £410 |
 | $2,250+ | $399 (approx £300) | $449 (approx £340) |
 | $1,000 – $2,150 | £479 (£679 flights included) | from £395 from £569 (flights included) |
 | $2,250+ | £319 – £369 (in New York) £369 – £419 (outside New York) | Varies |
 Camp USA | $2,000+ | $450 (approx £340) | $550 (approx £415) |
 | $2,250+ | £300 – £375 | £375 |
 | up to $2,250 | £349 – £449 (£599 – £699 flights included) | £349 |
While this table focuses on the financial aspect of things, you should do your own research into exactly what the customer experience with each company is like.
On the whole, the experience with most agencies should be positive (and broadly similar). But should something go wrong during the process (including while you're in the States), you'll be looking to them for support.
With that in mind, it's worth asking around and looking online to see if the company you're interested in has a good track record in dealing with these kinds of issues.
If you're after a more in-depth breakdown of the costs of the various American summer camp companies, read the reviews below.
Should you book your own flights?
Credit: Andrey Armyagov – Shutterstock
Some American summer camp companies give you the option of booking your place with or without flights.
Opting for a 'flights included' package is certainly appealing, as it gives you one less thing to worry about. And, looking at the table above, it only seems to add between £200 – £250 to the cost of your place. This is quite reasonable since return flights to the USA can sometimes cost at least £400 depending on the route and time of year.
But there's more to it than this. As well as costing you more, choosing a 'flights included' package could reduce your salary by several hundred dollars.
Ultimately, this means that the 'true' cost could end up being more than what you'd usually pay for return flights to the States.
Before deciding whether to book a package with travel included, check our tips for finding cheap flights. You may be able to book them much cheaper yourself. Just make sure that you have the right travel insurance.
American summer camp reviews
Here are our reviews of the main American summer camp agencies:
AmeriCamp
As you can see from the table, AmeriCamp's basic salary is among the highest. You'll also notice that there's no option to include flights within the cost.
AmeriCamp seems to agree that it's much cheaper for you to book your flights separately, so they don't even offer it as a package. But don't worry if you're not too confident about finding cheap flights.
AmeriCamp also holds official J1 visa sponsor status. We won't go through the details of it all, but in essence, you need a J1 visa to work at an American summer camp.
AmeriCamp minimum salary
- All: $2,250.
AmeriCamp costs
- Flights not included: £399.
The company also has a pay-in-stages option. While this costs a little more (£20 more, to be precise), it does allow you to pay in smaller monthly instalments. Head over to the AmeriCamp website for more details.
BUNAC
BUNAC is the longest-running American summer camp agency of the bunch, founded in 1962.
You may have noticed that BUNAC's offering is pretty simple. As well as only offering places without flights, BUNAC also guarantees all successful applicants a minimum salary of $2,250, regardless of age, skills or camp location.
BUNAC minimum salary
- All: $2,250.
BUNAC costs
- Flights not included: $399 (approx £300).
Camp America
Camp America is probably the most well-known American summer camp agency. You've probably heard people refer to working at American summer camps as simply "doing Camp America".
As such, it's probably not a surprise to learn that Camp America claims to place more applicants than any other company each summer.
And, as mentioned earlier, Camp America is also one of the summer camp agencies to hold official J1 visa sponsor status (find out what this means for you).
Camp America salaries
- First-time participant (flights included): $1,000 – $2,150
- First-time participant (flights not included): $1,000 – $1,550
- Returning participant to a new camp (flights included): from $1,350
- Returning participant to a new camp (no flights): from $1,950.
Camp America costs
- First-time participant (flights included): £679
- First-time participant (flights not included): £479
- Returning participant (same camp, flights included): £569
- Returning participant (same camp, flights not included): £395.
This all looks a little confusing, so we'll try and explain it here.
If you're a returning participant going to a new camp, your costs will be the same as if you were a first-timer. However, the minimum salary you'll receive will be higher than a first-timer.
If you're returning to the same camp you have previously worked at, your costs will be cheaper than first-timers and your salary will be negotiable.
Camp New York
The newest addition to our list, Camp New York, claims to offer the highest salaries of all American summer camps, with some participants making more than $5,000!
Don't be fooled by the name either, Camp New York offers placement in camps outside of the New York area too.
What's more, because the majority of camps are in or around New York, it will save you money on onward travel and allow you to enjoy the popular city in your downtime.
Camp New York minimum salary
- All: $2,250.
Camp New York costs
- Flights not included (in New York): £369 – £419
- Flights not included (outside of New York): £319 – £369.
Camp New York also offers the chance to spread the costs over three instalments so you don't have to stump up the cash in one go. However, you'll be paying an extra £50 for the privilege.
InterExchange Camp USA
InterExchange Camp USA also boasts official J1 visa sponsor status. Find out what this means and why it could work in your favour.
It costs between $450 – $950 (around £340 – £715*) to apply. Unlike many other agencies, you don't pay a penny until you've been placed at a camp.
InterExchange Camp USA minimum salary
- All: $2,000.
InterExchange Camp USA costs
- Camp placement (flights not included): $450 (around £340)
- Returning placement (flights not included): $550 (around £415)
- Self-placement (flights not included): $950 (around £715).
* Conversions were correct at the time of writing.
Skilled Summers
Skilled Summers is one of the newer American summer camp agencies on this list. And, in their own words, they work with "premium summer camps".
In return, they try to recruit highly skilled applicants to work at summer camps.
That doesn't necessarily mean that you need to have worked at a camp before (although that may help). Instead, it means you should be able to offer an "in-demand skill". These skills are listed on Skilled Summers' website and include arts and crafts, circus skills and horse riding.
Skilled Summers minimum salary
- All: $2,250.
Skilled Summers costs
- Flights not included: £300.
Skilled Summers also allows you to pay-in-stages. Although it will set you back an extra £75, you won't need to pay the whole amount in one go.
USA Summer Camp
USA Summer Camp's website states it works with over 700 of the best summer camps in America, and it secures 100% of camp placements.
That means if you're accepted into the program, obtain all the documents and pay the fees, a position at summer camp is guaranteed. They even have camps in Canada if you don't fancy America.
It's one of the few agencies that still has the option to include the flights in your fees and pay for them in instalments.
USA Summer Camp salary
- All: up to $2,250
USA Summer Camp costs
- Flights included: £599
- Flights not included: £349.
Though the option is there to pay in instalments, you'll be required to pay an extra £100. Something that's worth keeping in mind.
Note: there is a hidden fee of £75 for your visa paperwork, on top of this. The other summer camp companies have it included in their costs.
Extra summer camp information
Third-party costs
No matter who you go with, you'll need to pay the third-party costs yourself. Despite what some companies might say, the costs are often the same regardless of who you'll be working with.
These are the main third-party costs that you'll need to pay for:
- Police check: £55 – £65 (can vary)
- Embassy interview appointment to gain working visa: $185 (approximately £140)
- Travel to Embassy: varies on where you live
- Medical at doctors: varies.
The prices may change from person to person but in total, you're looking at at least £200 in third-party costs.
Types of summer jobs
Most summer camp companies can place you as a general camp counsellor or a specialist in your chosen activity. But whatever the role, you'll usually be working with American kids and helping them have a great summer break.
Here are a few examples of the kinds of jobs and activities you can expect to be doing at an American summer camp. If you've got a talent in any of these areas, or something similar, jump right in and get involved:
- Archery
- Arts and Crafts
- Climbing
- Dancing
- Drama
- Fencing
- Gymnastics
- Horse riding
- Lifeguard
- Sailing
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Water-skiing
- General admin and camp support staff.
Working at an American summer camp is just one of the many ways you can make money working abroad.
