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The American Institute for Foreign Study (Australia) Pty Ltd opened its Australian office in 1999 and began offering its Camp America and Au Pair in America programs to young Australians. In 2005, AIFS commenced offering inbound programs and currently facilitates cultural exchange programs for more than 2,000 young people.

Stop Wondering.
Start Wandering.

APPLY NOW

To be eligible:

You must be 18 years old by
June 1, 2024
You must be available to complete a placement as a counsellor for at least 9 weeks.
You must be available to depart sometime between May 1 and June 25, 2024.
01

Apply Online

So you're ready for the best summer of your life? We're excited to have you!

Click on the apply now button on the right hand side or in the menu to start a new application. Complete at least 3 skills to start with and follow the ‘to complete’ list on your personal application profile.

young male on a phone call
02

Select an
Interviewer

After making your first payment, it is time to select your local Interviewer nearest you.

Your selected interviewer will then contact you regarding your suitability/availability for an interview however we encourage you to also contact your interviewer. If you have any issues communicating with your interviewer, please call the office on 1300 889 067 and we will help you schedule an interview.

03

Pre-Interview

Before your interview date:

Apply for an Australian Federal Police Check (AFP) -  We will only accept the Australian Federal Police Check.

You can apply for your AFP online here. You may also need to complete a Medical Disclosure Form for any pre-existing conditions (if applicable) before the interview. You will be advised if this is the case.

birdseye view of someone applying for camp america on their laptop
young female being interviewed
04

Post-Interview

Log onto mycampamerica and complete the instructions provided for ‘Post Interview’.

Keep in mind that your application will circulate via our online recruitment database and Camp Directors will see it – therefore, make it great!

05

Placement

Use the mycampamerica site to track your progress. Remember that placements do not start until October and run through to May.

Once your application is marked as “Ready to Place”, camp directors will have access to view your application and may receive an interview with a Camp representative. The interview would occur through Skype or phone.

two camp america counsellors play fighting

Visa

Congratulations, you have been placed! Now it is time to arrange your paperwork to apply for your visa.

We will guide you through the necessary steps to book your appointment at one of the three Consulates in Australia: Sydney, Melbourne or Perth. Please note those living outside of these areas will need to attend an interview in at the Consulate closest to them.

The cultural exchange visa grants you 30 days before your camp start date and 30 days after your camp end date to travel within the United States! If you are interested in travelling for a longer period, we can assist you with also applying for a tourist visa.

06
07

Flights & Travel

Now that you have your visa, it is time to book your flights and think about your travel plans.

Travel is such a big part of your Camp America we have a dedicated page to give you the low down. For most information click here.

birdseye view of a person writing at a desk surrounded by coffee, photos, glasses and a laptop
three camp america counsellors posing for a photo
08

Pre-Departure

In addition to choosing whether you take a suitcase or a backpack, it is very important that you join a Pre-Departure Orientation in April.

This is a requirement of your visa and will help you prepare for camp and for your time in the USA.

You will also have the opportunity to connect with other participants heading to camp, maybe even the same camp as you! Dates  will be sent to you closer to the date.

09

Travelling to Camp

Your Camp will provide you with a pre-determined pick-up location in the United States.  

We recommend booking accommodation convenient for your camp’s pick up/transfer. For accommodation options click here.

Camp surrounded by mountains and a blue lake cropped into the number 10.

Camp Arrival

You have arrived at camp, time to enjoy yourself! The main goal at camp is to instruct and assist children, making sure they are safe and protected while engaging in many adventures. You will be meeting interesting people from all over the world.

Your fellow camp staff will be there with you on and off camp. Days off are a great time to relax and have fun. If you need anything while you are at camp, Camp America is available 24/7.

Camp America is committed to Child Protection and the Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults. We require all participants to understand that any inappropriate behaviour toward children & vulnerable adults in the USA will be reported by camps to law enforcement authorities and the full force of the law will be brought to bear on perpetrators of abuse. We operate a Safer Recruiting policy and will require police checks, medical checks and other documents from you to support your application to our programme.

Camp America believes that children and vulnerable adults should never experience abuse of any kind and we are committed to work in a way that keeps Child Protection & Safeguarding at the centre of our practices and procedures. You can read Camp America’s full Child Protection & Safeguarding policy here.