Returning Staff:
An international camp staff person who has worked with ICCP, wishing to return the SAME camp.
Direct Placement Staff:
An international young adult whom a U.S. camp director knows and wishes to hire but needs ICCP for visa support.
ICCP will assist camps in bringing returning and direct placement staff to the USA under its Exchange Visitor Program authorized by the US Department of State, provided that the camp and
the participant understand these conditions:
1. RETURNING STAFF: Exchange Visitor programs which include a work component are for persons who could
not otherwise afford to visit the USA. We have been instructed by the US Department of State to keep our numbers of returning staff under 10%
of the total program. Camps wishing a returning staff are asked to document that the applicant will NOT be taking the place of a first-year international exchange participant and not displacing an
American applicant.
As of April 11, 1994 new Federal regulations have been posted which limit the numbers of returning staff, who are
participating under J-1 visa status for the third or greater time, to no more than 10% of the previous year's total participation in ICCP.
Please note that this 10% cap is on ICCP, not on your camp. We carefully monitor applications for repeat returning staff to comply with this
new regulation. If your camp plans on hiring a specific international staff person who has already participated in the camp counselor program twice, it is imperative that the Returning Staff
application be submitted to ICCP as early as possible
2. DIRECT PLACEMENT: All international staff must meet general ICCP qualifications.
ICCP office staff do not interview these candidates. Camp directors are responsible for the selection and performance of these
participants, including arranging a face to face interview to assess suitability for the program. Please note that under the new Federal
regulations, all of these participants must have a face to face interview as part of the selection process. Telephone interviews cannot be the
sole method of selection.
Camps wishing ICCP to provide full applications including interviews should request their applicants to apply for the
regular ICCP program through an overseas ICCP recruiter. ICCP can furnish addresses of recruiters. When the application reaches us, we will send it to you.
3. VISA: The YMCA has been authorized by the US Government
to operate ICCP as an Exchange Visitor Program which is officially described as follows:
"A program of
the YMCA International Program Services, operated by the YMCA of Greater New York as agent for the YMCA of the USA, to bring qualified foreign nationals to the United States for the summer
months to act as counselors in resident or day camps selected by the YMCA, as a measure to promote the general interests of international exchange."
ICCP issues form DS-2019 which international participants take to the nearest American Consulate to apply for the Exchange
Visitor Visa. Once the visa is issued, the classification J-1 will be stamped in their passports.
The visa is valid during the dates printed on the DS-2019. In addition, the US Immigration and Naturalization Service permits a thirty date
grace period during which participants may travel, but not work. ICCP cannot assist with visa extensions as our J-1 program does not allow stays after the four month visa period plus the 30 day travel period.
Again, all participants must leave the country before the thirty day grace period expires.
4. FEES AND SERVICES: Since ICCP is not directly recruiting
these participants, our costs are lower than for first year camp staff. We charge the camp a flat fee.
The camp negotiates salary and transportation directly with the participant. The camp's financial responsibility for the ICCP fee and
international transportation may be reflected in this negotiated salary.
5. FLIGHTS: Participants arrange their own means of
transportation. ICCP recruiters in Australia, Denmark, Hungary, Russia, Spain, and Sweden are willing to include Returning and Direct Placement
ICCP participants on the group flights originating in those countries. The flight cost is the participant's responsibility, but may be less
than an individual fare.
6. Please read elsewhere in this Manual regarding Insurance, Worker's Compensation, Payroll and Tax issues.
COMMITMENT OF ICCP
1. Upon receipt of completed forms and payment for qualified applicants, to promptly process the Visa Application (Form DS-2019) and mail to
counselor.
2. To provide opportunity for participants to attend one of the scheduled ICCP orientations.
3. Upon receipt of the arrival form, to provide illness and accident insurance for a period of stay in the USA of up to 12 weeks.
For work related accidents or illness, the ICCP health insurance is secondary to Worker's Compensation.
COMMITMENT OF THE CAMP
1. Making all agreements concerning employment, job responsibilities, salary, arrival and departure dates are between the participant and camp.
2. Assuring the total reimbursement to the returning international staff be no less than the salary of an American staff or an equivalent
position on the camp staff.
3. Transportation arrangements are the responsibility of the camp and the participant.
4. Attesting to the accuracy of the information provided to ICCP.
5. Obtaining from the participant a commitment to work at camp, and to the dates of employment.
6. Abide by all government regulations of the program.
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