Eligible applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, or non-Canadian visitors who currently hold temporary work or student visas in Canada. The minimum age requirement to qualify for J-1 status is 18 years old at the time of entry to the United States.

VISA RESTRICTIONS - Camp health center/nursing staff are not permitted J-1 visas.

Fees and Insurance

Returners pay $225, first-timers $250. Courier shipping fee is $25. SEVIS is $35 – please consider reimbursing this fee to staff. All applicants to CAN-CAMP must either purchase the BUNAC insurance policy, or show proof of owning a policy which meets the U.S. government requirements for this program. Please see www.bunac.org/canCamp/insurance.aspx for details about plans and coverage. Fees are payable in USD either by credit card or if preferred by you, a camp check, and must be paid when making the online Can-Camp application.

Documents Required for the Application

Here’s what we need from your Canadian staff before we can issue the DS-2019:

• CAN-CAMP 2012 Application form, completed on-line
• Criminal background clearance certificate (ask them for a copy, too)
• (Support staff only) Proof of full-time student enrolment (2011-12 academic year)
• Camp contract/agreement
• Payment
• CAN-CAMP reference form 2012 downloadable from our website
• Details page of passport

Applicants returning to work at a different camp in 2012 must supply a short written recommendation from their former U.S. camp director (an email or a fax is fine).

The camp’s role

All you need to do is register with BUNAC, if you have not already done so, at http://www.bunac.org/campdirectors/signup.aspx. Camps that wish only to utilize CAN-CAMP may indicate this in the comments box of the Staff Requests tab. Please also read the Terms and Conditions, which are subsidiary to the general Summer Camp USA terms. Once your staff have received and signed your contract, they can begin their application to Can-Camp. Please encourage staff to apply for a passport, if they do not yet have one (www.ppt.gc.ca).

An important note about the contract and visa start dates

The program start date recorded on the DS-2019 will be the date on which the staff contract begins. The earliest start date for work is 1st May. Staff may enter the US up to 30 days prior for personal travel only, i.e. not to work. If you are hiring for pre-camp, the contract must show the pre-camp start date or you can provide a separate contract.

Changes to Application or Contract Data

Please be aware that any changes that have to be made to the data recorded on the DS-2019 AFTER it has been processed and issued will result in a $75 fee imposed by the Sponsor. This does not include shipping! BUNAC will make every effort to check with the applicant and with you about any discrepancy before processing the application.

Sponsor

International Exchange of North America (IENA) is the official J-1 sponsor of BUNAC Camp Counselor and Summer Work Travel programs. Every participant will receive a IENA Sponsorship pack. You will receive detailed and accurate information regarding tax and social security, as it pertains to international staff.

Application deadlines

Your Canadian staff should allow at least 4 weeks for processing and delivery of their DS-2019 package. The courier delivery service ($25) is mandatory for applications received after 1st May, or earlier if their contract starts within 4 weeks of the date their full application is received by BUNAC.

Contact

If you have any questions about Can-Camp, please direct them to cancamp@bunacusa.org, or call 1-800-462-8622. Thanks!