How can I participate in the program ?

Contact the representative from your country by the end of November. Your representative will give you more information and details about the program and the forms that you must fill and the documents that you have to give to apply. You can find a representative in your country using the link to "contacts/representatives." If you cannot find one for your home country you can either call the nearest one for information on how to proceed or you can contact ICEP New York directly. Write us a cover letter briefly explaining why you are interested in the summer camp program and what experience you will be bringing with you and request an application form from us. The necessary forms and instructions will be sent to you.

What do I need to do to obtain a US visa ?

A valid passport that expires no earlier than two years from date of application (at least), an IAP 66 form from ICEP (US), proof of return trip to your home country (ticket or official itinerary), a visa application form from the US consulate that serves your city/town in your home country, a subsequent appointment with a visa officer and payment of all fees for the procurement of the visa.

What does the insurance cover ?

Insurance information is detailed on this web site. Follow the link to section 2. under "finances and rules." You will also need to study the blue form that you receive with the application package. Insurance is of prime importance in the US. Once you pay for and obtain it, please keep your insurance ID with you securely, and also know your policy number at all times.

How do I organize my arrival in New York ?

All travel arrangements from your home country to New York must me made by you. You must plan to arrive in New York in time to attend one of the group orientation conferences in June before camps start. These are held in the ICEP center at 38, West 88th Street, Upper West Side Manhattan, New York. You can start by calling or visiting travel agents in your home town/country to get the cheapest fares to the US. Sometimes internet travel agents servicing your country might be able to get you good deals on airline fares. Most airlines offer some sort of a student concession if you are still a student and you might look into these discounts. Remember, you must return to your home country before the expiry date on your IAP 66 form!

How will I find my camp ?

ICEP will arrange for your placement in a summer camp based on your skills, talents, and experience. After you submit your application, it is reviewed and you will be notified within a month if you have been accepted into the program or not. If you have been accepted, your application is circulated among the participating camps and a match is found. Travel to the camp and back to New York for the evaluation conferences will be paid for you. All travel information will be made available to you at your orientation conference.

What will happen if I arrive in June without any camp ?

It is ICEP's responsibility to ensure your placement within a camp before you even arrive in New York. In the event of a late application, if no camp is found, ICEP assures you placement in a camp after your arrival at the ICEP center in New York, where you can stay for free until a match is found.

How can I find the right people to tell me about the camps ?

Either contact the ICEP representative in your home country and request the contact information of former ICEP camp counselors in your region, or email ICEPinUSA@aol.com directly and request the email/telephone/address contacts for other "veteran" counselors in your area.

What about my days off ?

Your days off differ from camp to camp and are set by your respective camp directors. Most camps give counselors 1 day of per week. Some camps give you only 1 day every two weeks and some give you 2 1/2 days every two weeks.

How much money will I make ?

Please remember that the camp counseling is not meant to be a lucrative business opportunity. It is not a program to make money and as such cannot be considered a summer job with a competitive salary. We hope the educational opportunity overrides the financial gains and it is metaphysical enrichment that you seek! You will be provided with an allowance to get you through the summer comfortably. First time counselors will earn a total of US$800 ($200 in hand at camp as pocket money and a travel allowance $600 cheque cashable at our bank in NY given during the evaluation conference at the end of camp.

What about my vacation ?

Camp counselors may plan any vacation only after camp season is over (usually end August or early September.) You must make all travel arrangements for this vacation on your own and still plan to be in New York for the evaluation conferences either before, during or after your travels. You must also be aware of the expiry date on your IAP 66 when making your vacation plans. Also remember that you only get your travel allowance at your evaluation conference at the end of camp.

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