Faq
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve collected some common questions about our programs below. Still looking for an answer? Get in touch.
BridgeUSA are Exchange Visitor Programs overseen by the Department of State designed to achieve the educational objectives of international and cultural exchange by immersing eligible young adults in seasonal employment in the USA. Camps offer unique day-to-day interactions and opportunities through the summer camp counselor and support staff positions. The ultimate goal is that through their positive interactions, Americans are encouraged to participate in programs abroad and participants return home to share their positive experiences and new perspectives.
Camp counselors and support staff are accepted in two different visa categories, with two separate sets of Department of State regulations. Their participation is based on the role they are offered in camp and their eligibility for the specific program.
Camp Counselors: Camp counselors have direct responsibility for supervision of groups of American youth and of activities that bring them into interaction with their charges. They must be at least 18 years old, be bona fide youth workers, students, teachers, or individuals with specialized skills, be in good health, and have no criminal record. While it is recognized that some non-counseling chores are an essential part of camp life for all counselors, the camp counselor program is not intended to assist American camps in bringing in foreign nationals to serve as administrative personnel, cooks, or menial laborers, such as dishwashers or janitors.
Support Staff: Support staff are staff hired to fill all others support roles in camp: kitchen, dining hall, grounds, housekeeping, office, maintenance, laundry, etc. While support staff can act as security, they cannot work night hours. They must be at least 18 years old, be a full-time student enrolled in a brick and mortar accredited post-secondary institute with at least 1 semester finished, be in good health and have no criminal record.
Camps must have an active and current business in good standing with proof of such standing in the form of a business license, approval by the Department of Public Health, or active status in their state’s business listings AND an active and current workers compensation policy. They must also be accredited by or a member in good standing with the American Camping Association, officially affiliated with a nationally recognized non-profit organization or inspected and approved by CampStaffUSA representatives.
