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The YMCA International Camp Counselor Program
The YMCA International Camp Counselor Program (ICCP) was established in 1959
as a cultural exchange program, and is recognized by the United States government. ICCP recruits qualified counselors and camp staff members from all over the world. ICCP works to
add an international component to participating camps, increase cross-cultural understanding, and provide ongoing assistance to international participants and camps.
As an ICCP-sponsored camp counselor or other staff member, you will be part of a
group of over 2,200 ICCP participants from more than 73 countries who will be working in United States camps this summer.
What is the Regular Placement Program?
About half of the ICCP participants each year are recruited by organizations or
individuals who work closely with the ICCP office in New York to interview, select and find suitable camp placements for the participants as counselors and support staff.
What is the Returning Staff/Direct Placement Program?
You have been recruited directly by the camp for which you will work this summer.
ICCP’s Returning Staff/Direct Placement Program provides basic services for camp directors who wish to bring back international staff members from previous years or interview and screen
new applicants themselves. Because the Returning Staff/Direct Placement Program does not provide the same services of the standard ICCP program, you need to carefully read everything in
this packet to understand everyone’s responsibilities.
What is the Work/Travel Program?
The Work/Travel Program was established as a cultural exchange program recognized
by the United States government. The intent of the program is to give students from around the world, who might otherwise not be able to afford to participate in an exchange with the
United States, the opportunity to experience life in the USA during their summer school break.
Participants are admitted to the United States under section 101(a)(15)(j) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act of March 2, 1960. They enter the country on a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa, which is stamped in their passport. Their exchange visitor category is “summer
travel/work.” This exchange visitor program is administered by the International YMCA through the Regular Placement and the Direct Placement/Returning Staff Program.
The YMCA
The Young Men’s Christian Association was founded in England in 1844 by
George Williams, and today includes more than 12,000 YMCAs in over 90 countries. Although the YMCA is Christian in origin and purpose, it is open to all and has no formal ties to any
church or government. The YMCA is the USA’s largest non-profit volunteer organization. In the USA, YMCAs provide a range of programs and activities to enable boys, girls, women and men
of every age, race, color, creed and economic status to develop to the fullest in mind, body, and spirit. |
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