Terms & Conditions for
Summer Camp USA
Your Summer Camp USA Programme Conditions
By joining a BUNAC programme you are bound by our general terms and conditions which are listed here.
PROGRAMME INCLUSIONS
First-timers: eligibility screening, interview, placement at camp, J1 visa assistance and DS2019 Certificate, travel medical insurance and in-country support. Full programme inclusions are listed here.
Direct placements: eligibility screening, interview, J1 visa assistance and DS2019 Certificate, travel medical insurance and in-country support. Program inclusions are listed here.
Returners: J1 visa assistance and DS2019 Certificate, travel medical insurance and in-country support. Program inclusions listed here.
Your USA J-1 sponsor for all programmes is CIEE.
1. PROGRAMME COSTS AND PAYMENTS
Payment Schedule for first-timer applicants
- Own Arranger program Deposit payment: Due when booking - £49 / €59 / 100AUD / 100NZD
- Second Payment: Due after successful interview. Application will not proceed until paid: £166 / €191 / 325AUD / 325NZD
- Final Payment: due when placement confirmed at a summer camp: £135 / €155 / 274AUD / 274NZD
- Total Cost: £350 / €405 / 699AUD 699NZD
Payment schedule for returning applicants
- Deposit Payment: £39 / €45
- Final Payment: £260 / €290
- Total Cost: £299 / €335
There are limited DS2019's available for anyone returning to camp for the 3rd time, or more. These are allocated on a first come first served basis to those with completed and submitted CIEE applications.
2. TRANSFERRING OR CHANGING YOUR BOOKING
Deposit is transferable to any BUNAC programme up until point of your BUNAC interview taking place After your interview, your deposit will be considered as used and therefore be non-transferable.
Your deposit is protected for life, however, is not transferable to another person. Your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) must be printed with your correct name, date of birth, place and country of birth It is your responsibility to provide details on all application forms that exactly match your passport. The DS- 2019 replacement cost, due to misinformation or loss by the applicant is £75.
3. PROGRAMME CANCELLATION
Cancellations will not be acted on until written confirmation by email has been received by BUNAC. If a DS-2019 has been issued it must be returned to BUNAC before any refunds are given.
Programme deposit - The £49 programme deposit is a non-refundable fee. If your application is rejected, you are subject to a £25 administration cost to process your refund. Cancellations are calculated based on the stage where your application is at.
Below are the listed stages and cancellation fee’s:
- If you are rejected at interview: £25
- Before application submitted to sponsor (CIEE): £100
- After Acceptance onto the programme but not placed: £100
- Your Visa is refused by the US Embassy: £100
- Your summer placement has been confirmed: £215
- If you are not placed at the end of the hiring season and choose not to roll over your application to the following summer the cancellation fee is £100
Returner & direct placements – all fees paid for the returner or direct placement program in all cases if you or your camp cancels from the program:
- Before DS2019 is issued : £149
- After DS2019 is issued 100% (no refund)
BUNAC are not liable for and cannot refund third party costs including: police checks, travel costs, medical costs, visa costs under any circumstances.
4. BUNAC – Summer Camp USA Exam Guarantee
In the instance an exam is scheduled by your school or university which prevents your ability to commence employment with a camp you have been placed with BUNAC will:
- Attempt to negotiate a later start date with the camp you have been placed with.
OR
- Attempt to re-place you with another camp who can accommodate a later start date.
OR
- Offer the opportunity to defer your application to the following summer (no further fees payable to BUNAC).
OR
- Refund the programme fees which have been paid by the customer to BUNAC*.
*Refunds will not include any fees which were not paid directly to BUNAC. Any fees paid toward police checks or embassy fees are non-refundable once paid.
BUNAC must be informed before April 1st 2022 by the customer that a scheduled exam will impact any scheduled start dates in order for the Exam Guarantee to come into effect. Customer’s can inform BUNAC by emailing camps@bunac.org.
BUNAC reserves the right to withhold any refunds until the customer is able to provide proof of the scheduled exam.
5. SUMMER CAMP PLACEMENT
Your placement will take place between May and August and will be approximately 9 weeks long during this period. Every camp has slightly different start and finish placement dates.
If you reject more than one placement offered to you by a camp which matches the preferences outlined on your application form, BUNAC reserves the right to treat your application as cancelled, and apply the relevant cancellation fee listed above (£100 if accepted but not placed).
6. VISA TYPE: J-1 Camp Counselor VISA ELIGIBILITY:
Experience working with children and a confirmed job offer at a US camp
VISA SUPPORT FUNDS: $400 USD
USA J-1 Visas are issued at the discretion of the US Embassy and the US Embassy can change visa application processes at any time. You are responsible for submitting a correct and complete visa application on time. You may experience delays or a denial if you:
- Have a caution, been arrested or convicted of a crime, have previously experienced US visa/immigration problems or overstayed a visit to the US. You must inform BUNAC if any of these statuses apply to you at the beginning of the application. US Embassy appointments
- All first-timer applicants must present their documents in person at the US Embassy.
- The Embassy will hold your passport until processing has been completed. Do not book any travel abroad during the visa application stage.
- Average processing time for J1 visa applications with the US consulate is 10-15 business days but may take longer. The Embassy will not prioritise or ‘fast track’ any visa applications.
- Do not book your embassy interview until you have been told to book your interview by BUNAC
- Wait until you have received confirmation of your visa appointment from the US Embassy before booking transport to your interview.
Arriving into the USA
BUNAC aims to get you to America before your camp start date but is not responsible for delays caused by yourself, the US Embassy, the postal service or courier company.
On arrival into USA, you are required to apply for a US social security number. Your employer will help with this process.
Your DS-2019 must be kept with your passport whilst in the USA.
BUNAC do not keep a copy of your DS-2019, and you may be asked to present it during any future applications to visit or work in the USA.
BUNAC is not responsible for any applications held for additional processing or refused by the Embassy or any disrupted travel plans due to visa processing delays.
BUNAC is unable provide refunds paid to the US Embassy under any circumstances.
7. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMME DOCUMENTATION AND FEES
To participate on the Summer Camp programme you will incur additional third party fees for a police criminal background check, US Embassy visa fee, travel costs to your US Embassy appointment (London or Belfast), a medical check from your GP, and a return transatlantic flight. More information on specific 3rd party costs are listed here
8. FLIGHTS
You should not arrange travel until you have a confirmed summer camp job and have been issued a J1/BridgeUSA Camp Counselor visa. You must provide your booked travel information to BUNAC at least 72 hours before you intend to fly.
9. INSURANCE
Medical travel insurance is provided as part of the Summer Camp USA programme through Aetna Student Health/CIEE. Full information of your CIEE Insurance plan and the claims procedure can be found at www.ciee.org/insurance. You should always carry the insurance card provided by CIEE in case treatment is needed in the USA.
BUNAC arranges this insurance as an agent of CIEE and is not liable for any policy claims, coverage or refunds
Note: there are exclusions on the CIEE insurance health policy for pre-existing health conditions. If you have a pre-existing health condition you will need to purchase additional coverage to ensure you are fully covered for your trip.