Camp Counselor
Application Process

Your AmeriCamp profile contains your personal data. Since the DS-2019 (visa documents) is issued on this basis, the registration must be correct and complete. In addition, your profile includes information about your experience with children, potentially prior work experience, hobbies, skills, and your U.S. summer camp (only if you have already found a camp), so that Intrax can contact your supervisor and confirm your position or that Intrax can match you with a suitable camp. You can stop the registration at any time and continue later or change information. Your AmeriCamp profile serves as a communication base throughout your program.

These are the documents we need from you:

• Profile Photo: This is the first impression the camp will get of you.
• References: 2 Personal references, filled out (online) by a non-relative person, a teacher or a trainer who can verify your ability to take care of minors.
• Medical Form: You can hand in this form at a later stage of your application, but before we send you the DS-2019.
• Certificates and Translations: In case you have relevant certificates/licenses, e.g. a lifeguard certificate, a first-aid certificate, please upload  along with a translation
• Contract Intrax Europe - AmeriCamp Program: Please download, sign the applicable contract and send it back via email.
• Enhanced Criminal Background Check: The enhanced record check is specifically meant for work with minors. You can hand in this document at a later stage of your application, but before we send you the DS-2019. In some countries a support letter is needed. Let us know if you require one!

Once we have received your complete application, we will conduct a brief webcam interview with you to answer any last program questions you might have. We will then invoice you the application fee (for placement) or the program fee (self-placement/repeat). An in-person with a local representative will also be arranged for those who already found a camp position. For those who still need to match with a camp, the in-person interview will be conducted after you have matched with a camp. The in-person interview is to verify that you are qualified to take care of children in a U.S. summer camp. It is a visa requirement.

Your application will be published for our camps, and you will be marked by interested camps. They will then message you and ask you for an online interview. This is your moment to shine! Impress them with your personality and skills. After a successful interview, the camp will write you an Offer Letter, and we will also ask you to do an Online Pre-Departure Orientation Course. The Offer Letter and the Online Course are also mandatory for those who found their placements themselves.

Intrax will conduct the final evaluation of all documents and will then contact your summer camp to confirm the eligibility of your position. After this review process, your DS-2019 will be issued.

You are now ready to schedule your appointment at the US embassy. We will send you instructions on how to do so and which documents you will need to take. After your visa is issued, we will send you further information on topics such as health insurance, taxes, and on how to apply for your Social Security Card in the US.

On the website of the US Embassy you can also read which documents you should bring to the meeting at the U.S. Consulate. Please check the wait times for the J1 visa interview at the U.S. Consulates close to you.

The J1 visa program is not an immigration visa and you will be expected to return to your home country once your program ends.

Flight ticket Please note that the US embassies/consulates advise booking flights after the visa has been issued. Hence, no one is liable for a delayed issuance of the visa or fees related to a flight change.

When entering the USA, you need your passport with your visa and your DS-2019. You will also be asked to provide your first US address on the customs declaration form (CBP Form 6059B).

The Intrax program manual is available for you in your MyIntrax Profile. Please use it as a resource for important information about your time during your Camp Counselor position.When entering the USA, you need your passport with the visa and the attached DS-2019. You must also provide your first address in the USA. Your visa will be activated upon entering the USA. After your arrival, it is very important that you do the check-in in your AmeriCamp online profile. With your arrival notice, your exchange visitor status is fully validated by the Department of Homeland Security, and you become eligible to apply for your Social Security Card.

Social Security Card
You need a Social Security Card/Number to get paid by your camp. You can apply for your card/number approximately 4-5 days after your check-in in your AmeriCamp profile. If you already have a US Social Security Card, you do not have to apply for a new one. It is valid for life.

Another general note: The Social Security Card and the Social Security number noted on it is often used in the USA as a form of identification. You might need to provide this number, for example, if you want to open a bank account or purchase a mobile phone contract. Enjoy your stay, learn a lot, keep in touch and perhaps add a link to us when writing a blog. We appreciate feedback, impressions and notes from the road.