INTERNATIONAL CAMP COUNSELOR PROGRAM ICCP

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International Camp Counselor Program
Support the 2007 Strong Kids Campaign
www.internationalymca.org
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Program SpecificsWhat you need to know
Support the 2007 Strong Kids Campaign
www.internationalymca.org
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Welcome to the YMCAs International Camp
Counselor Program (ICCP). We are very pleased to
be sponsoring your stay in the United States.

• You are coming to the United States for two very
  important
• reasons
• To learn everything you can about life in the
  United States and about yourself. Most
  participants tell us that they learn more about
  themselves and their own values than about any
  other topic while in the program.
• To share your experiences and knowledge about
  life outside the United States. This may be more
  important than you realize. Your stay in the
  United States will help those whom you meet
  better understand the differences and
  similarities in our practices, values, and
  beliefs.

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As an ICCP-sponsored camp counselor or other
staff member, you will be part of a group of over
3,000 ICCP participants from more than 80
countries who will be working in United States
camps this summer.

• YMCA Values
• As a participant in a YMCA program, you will be a
  role model to
• everyone with whom you have contact. Whether or
  not your training
• site is a YMCA, you are a participant in a YMCA
  program. As such, you
• are expected to model positive values.
• Caring To love others to be sensitive to the
  well being of others to help others.
• Honesty To tell the truth to act in such a way
  that one is worthy of trust to have integrity to
  make sure ones actions match ones values.
• Respect To treat others, as you would have them
  treat you to value the worth of every person,
  including yourself.
• Responsibility To do what you ought to do to be
  accountable for your behavior and obligations.
• We encourage you to accept the challenge!

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Terms and Conditions of Your J-1 Visa

• The J-1 Visa is given to Exchange Visitors. It
  is issued with the understanding that at the end
  of the program you will return to your country to
  continue promoting international understanding.
  Under the terms of the program, you are allowed
  to serve as a staff person at a summer camp.
  The visa does not allow you to engage in any
  other employment while in the USA. The
  government regulations implemented in 1994 limit
  your visa to a maximum stay of four months. Your
  J-1 Visa cannot be extended. The DS-2019 form
  sent to you by the International YMCA must be
  with your passport in order for your J-1 Visa to
  be valid. If you lose the DS-2019 form, you
  should contact the International YMCA immediately
  for a replacement. The International YMCA charges
  a fee to replace lost DS-2019 forms.
• The dates on the DS-2019 form governs the length
  of your stay, not the dates on the J-1 visa in
  your passport.

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Document checklist

• You must bring your DS-2019 form for the J-1 Visa
  to be valid. The immigration officer will scan
  the DS-2019 form and return to you with a white
  I-94 entry form. Keep your DS-2019 and your I-94
  with your passport while you are in the United
  States.
• Form I-94 indicates the place and date of your
  admission to the U.S. and shows the period of
  your authorized stay. Note the red stamp on the
  form. The letters D/S should be written.
• This stands for Duration of Stay. It means that
  you can stay until the expiration date on your
  DS-2019 form plus 30 days for travel. During the
  30-day travel period, you may be a tourist in the
  United States, but you may not work.
• The United States immigration officer at your
  point of entry has the final say on whether you
  can enter the United States, so it is advisable
  to have available proof of your agreement with
  the host institution when you pass through
  customs.

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Document checklist

• Alert
• Transit visas Some nationalities may need a
  transit visa if they are transiting through other
  countries (i.e. Italy- Germany). You need to
  apply for this transit visa before you leave your
  home country. If you are not certain whether you
  need it or need information on how to apply for
  one you should check with the consulate for that
  particular country.
• Exit Visas In addition to your J-1 Visa, some
  countries require that residents who are
  traveling abroad apply for exit visas some weeks
  before the intended travel date.

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Document checklist

• Placement Notice Camp, contact info., position
  hired for, start/end dates, arrival airport.
• Domestic Travel Instructions You must know how
  you are getting to camp before departing to the
  U.S.
• Social Security letter You must apply for the
  social security card upon arrival to camp. Keep
  copy of receipt. This will enable you to get
  paid.
• Urgent Reminder
• Make copies of your passport and DS-2019 to leave
  at home with your designated emergency contact in
  case these are lost or stolen while traveling.

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• Commitments of the Regular Program and the
  Work/Travel Participant
• The participant agrees to
• Fulfill the conditions as stated on the ICCP
  application.
• Attest to the accuracy of information given in
  the dossier.
• Promptly sign and return a copy of the Camp Staff
  Contract.
• Notify ICCP of arrival to camp within 15 days of
  start date on the DS-2019 form
• Fill out and submit Travel Itinerary form to
  ICCP and make sure that ICCP has your updated
  after camp travel plans.
• Fulfill the job responsibilities as outlined.
• Complete the length of service as described in
  the Camp Staff Contract
• Reimburse employer for a pro rata amount of the
  ICCP service fee in the event of early departure.
• Accept the terms of the Exchange Visitor Visa to
  work only in camp and to return home no later
  than the expiration date of the visa.
• Assume responsibility for transportation from
  camp to the point of departure, and for all
  financial needs from the close of camp until the
  departure flight.
• Maintain sickness and accident insurance that
  meets United States government regulations during
  the entire stay in the USA.

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Illegal and Inappropriate Behavior

• NO
• Alcohol at Camp
• Drinking and Driving
• Smoking
• Drugs, controlled or Illegal Substance Abuse
• Violation of these regulations will result in
• immediate termination from the program and
• possibly prosecution by the law.

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Sexual Harassment No means no

• Sexual harassment is not limited to physical
  contact. It occurs any
• time an individual is uncomfortable with
  anothers approaches,
• discussions, or comments.
• Sexual Harassment is a crime, and could result in
  your being
• fired from your job, arrested, charged, going to
  court, serving
• jail time and being deported.
• One of the greatest cultural differences between
  the United States and
• other countries is the understanding of what is
  sexual harassment.
• There will probably be other staff you will be
  attracted to and interested
• in, and this is perfectly natural, because you
  will be spending a lot of
• time with others and working closely with them.
  What you do with that
• interest and how you handle it, however, is
  something you should think
• carefully about, because the other person may not
  be interested in you,
• and not want you to express your interest.

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Child Abuse

• The United States has very strong laws
• regarding the abuse of children. You will
• learn more about what is considered physical or
• emotional abuse in the state in which your
• camp is located at staff training.
• You may find that what is considered an
• acceptable action in your country is considered
• child abuse in the USA.

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Here are some simple precautions, which you
should always practice and follow

• Always be in view of others. If you need to speak
  with a child alone, do so in an area where you
  are in view of others.
• Do not allow campers into private staff areas. Do
  not let campers into staff housing areas staff
  meeting rooms, storage rooms, etc.
• Know your camps procedure for handling
  discipline. If you do not understand how your
  camp handles discipline by the end of staff
  training, ask your camp director.
• Be aware of what information you share. It is not
  unusual for children to imagine romantic
  relationships with camp staff members. So, use
  discretion with what information you share,
  especially as regards details about your private
  life.
• Report and/or record suspicious or unusual
  observations. If a child is acting in a way you
  consider unusual, report this behavior to your
  supervisor. Keep a written record of your
  observations. In rare occasions, parents may
  accuse you of being the person who caused the
  behavior. Your reported observations will help
  you protect yourself from unfair accusations.
• Supervise private activities in pairs. If you are
  supervising children during times when they are
  changing clothes, putting on bathing suits,
  taking showers, or otherwise using the bathroom,
  make sure another counselor, who is of the same
  gender as the children, is with you.
• Do not force your attention on a child. It may be
  common for you to want to hug or touch a child
  who is hurt or homesick. Before you do, make sure
  the child understands your action.
• Never be alone with a child.

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Problems during your stay

• If you decide to leave before the end of your
• program or if you are terminated by your host
  site,
• the International YMCA sponsorship of your visa
• will also be terminated.
• If you are terminated from your assignment your
• Camp Director/Supervisor will ask you to leave
  the
• grounds immediately, not giving you much time to
• pack. You will not be allowed to say good-bye to
• campers or friends.

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If you are fired from camp

• You must contact ICCP immediately for the
• following
• Discuss the reasons for your termination
• Ensure that you receive your pro-rata pocket
  money from the time that you have worked until
  the Point of termination.
• Make sure that we know your exact whereabouts
  when you leave your placement site and assist you
  on where to stay.
• Discuss the possibility of re-assignment.
• Under no circumstances should you leave your
  assignment without first contacting ICCP. Such a
  decision could cause you to be dismissed from the
  program and have your visa cancelled

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How to contact ICCP

• If your dismissal is outside normal working
  hours, find a
• local place to stay and notify ICCP on the
  emergency
• number (1-917) 273-8964.
• Do not travel to New York until instructed to by
  an ICCP
• director. Once you are off site you are
  financially
• responsible for all associated expenses including
  food,
• accommodation and travel
• Depending on the cause for dismissal you will
• Be re-assigned to another camp/conference center
  (depending on availability and a positive
  reference from your prior supervisor).
• Be responsible to finance your immediate return
  flight from the US.

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Emergencies

• When things go wrong it is normal to assume the
  world is
• about to end. Please resist the temptation of
  calling home
• right away
• Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. call
  the
• International YMCA 1-888- 477-9622. This number
  is free
• of charge.
• ICCP Emergency number 1-917-817-1750.
• This is for emergencies only.

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Your Job at Camp

• Camping is an American tradition and a
• YMCA tradition that dates back to the 1860s
• Every summer in the United States, over 12,000
• organized youth camps cater to 10 million
  children.
• ICCP works with hundreds of these camps
• Most camps are on the outskirts of the city,
• thereby, providing a primitive wilderness
• experience for urban children.

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Types of Camps

• American camps divide the summer into sessions.
  In most camps, campers have the
• option of taking part in sessions of one, two,
  four or eight weeks.  
• Overnight/Resident located in rural areas away
  from the town and transportation. Campers and
  staff stay at the camp, experiencing a full
  schedule of activities during the day and
  sleeping in cabins or tents at night. There is
  very little free time or privacy. Most of the
  camps are resident camps. Some resident camps
  offer day camp programs.
• Girl Scout Camps They are highly scheduled, and
  serve young girls. The staff and campers live in
  platform tents, and living conditions are
  generally rustic.
• Wilderness Camping Many overnight camps have
  trip and/or biking programs. The staff working in
  these areas will take groups of children away
  from camp for hiking, canoeing or just tent
  camping for many days.
• YMCA Camps The YMCA is a Christian
  organization.  Although it does not belong to any
  specific denomination, prayers and worship may be
  part of the camps activities. YMCA Camps serve
  their communities by promoting positive values
  through their programs that are open to all.
• Religious Operated by religiously affiliated
  organizations, these camps provide a broad range
  of outdoor activities within the framework of
  promoting positive life values based on the
  religions particular traditions.

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Types of Camps

• Underprivileged At these camps, children
  referred by social service organizations are
  given the opportunity to experience positive,
  outdoor activities outside the troubled urban
  environments in which they live.
• Special Needs (Physically, Mentally and
  Developmentally Challenged) At these camps,
  children and adults with physical limitations
  and/or learning disabilities are provided special
  attention and facilities to make it possible for
  them to enjoy a wide range of camp activities and
  to achieve their fullest potential. Working with
  special populations in a summer camp environment
  can be physically and emotionally demanding.
  However, it is one of the most rewarding
  experiences.
• Conference Center Some ICCP participants are
  placed at conference centers. Conference centers
  differ from camps in that they offer educational
  activities to primarily adult populations. ICCP
  participants assigned to conference centers are
  those who have applied for kitchen, office,
  maintenance, and housekeeping positions.
• Day These camps are usually located in urban
  settings. Campers arrive at camp each morning and
  return home in the afternoon. In most cases,
  international staff members live with host
  families and are able to experience United
  States community life.

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Job Descriptions

• General/ Cabin Counselor Counselors can make the
  difference in a childs experience because they
  fulfill the most important role at camp-In Loco
  Parentis. This Latin term, meaning in place of
  parents, represents the counselors greatest
  responsibility in the cabin. Parents turn over
  the care of their children to the counselors and
  it is expected that you rise to the occasion in
  every respect.

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Job Descriptions

• Program Specialists Many ICCP participants are
  employed as program specialists, working as
  lifeguards, art and crafts teachers, horse-riding
  instructors, trip leaders, etc. If your camp
  director notifies you that your job will be in a
  specific area of the camp program, be sure to
  bring to the United States original copies of any
  formal certification you have that relates to
  your role. Most states have strong regulations
  regarding the training and experience program
  specialists must have. This is particularly true
  of waterfront workers and trip leaders. Your camp
  director may also ask you to bring special
  clothing if you are a trip leader. If you have
  not received a letter from your camp director,
  write and ask for advice on what to bring and
  what to leave at home.

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Job Descriptions

• The resident summer camp requires many parts to
  run
• successfully. The counselors and specialists have
  the
• primary responsibility of caring for the
  children, while
• the Support Staff are critical to the overall
  efficiency of
• the operation of camp.
• Food Service The Kitchen Staff rise early in the
  morning to get ready for Breakfast, and their day
  usually finishes after Dinner clean up. Kitchen
  Staff work in food prep, cooking, cleaning and
  service.
• Kitchen Aid/Dishwasher This person is
  responsible to the food service manager.

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Job Descriptions

• Maintenance This position is responsible for
  attending to the camps physical plant and
  facilities. With the assistance of the full time
  care-taking Staff, the maintenance workers make
  repairs around camp, handle upkeep and appearance
  of the area, work on building projects and
  perform other similar duties.
• Laundry This position is responsible for
  washing campers and staff clothes
• Office Camp maintains an office on site, which
  coordinates all of the camps communication,
  materials, scheduling and other needs, making the
  office a very demanding place. Your job will be
  to answer the phones, type letters and act as
  receptionist. Your English must be excellent for
  this position.
• No matter what position international staff
  members hold at camp, one
• thing never changes the main concern for
  everyone is to meet the
• needs of the camper. Everyone at camp works to
  ensure the safety and
• well being of the campers. Camp rules apply to
  everyone.

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Tax Information

• United States Taxes
• As a nonresident alien participant on a J-1 Visa
  program, you are exempt from paying United States
  Social Security and Federal Unemployment taxes.
  However, the stipend you earn at camp may be
  subject to the income taxes of the United States
  government and the community and state in which
  your camp is located. If so, a small amount will
  be withheld from your pay. This is sent to the
  Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by your employer
  until you apply for a tax return.
• What to Expect
• You are taxed as a nonresident alien on a J-1
  Visa. However, you are eligible for one personal
  exemption of about 3,000, so not all of your
  stipend is taxable. Please confirm the personal
  exemption figure, as this change yearly. Upon
  arriving at camp, you will need to fill out
  various tax information forms which will
  determine how much tax you will have withheld
  from your pay.

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Tax Information

• Filling out the W-4 Form
• All ICCP participants must fill out IRS Form W-4
  within 3 days of being added to the payroll.
  Non-resident aliens (thats you) should fill out
  the form as follows
• In box 3 the participant should check off
  Single regardless of actual marital status.
• If you are expecting to earn more than 3,000 in
  the United States this year, you should indicate
  that an additional 7.60/week is to be withheld.
  This will avoid your having to pay additional
  taxes at the end of the year.

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Tax Information

• Filing a United States Tax Return
• United States law requires that every employer
  provide each employee with a Form W-2 showing the
  income earned and taxes withheld during the
  calendar year. These forms are sent out before
  the end of January of the following year. You can
  expect your Form W-2 to be mailed the following
  January. The Form W-2 is used with a Form 1040NR
  to file your United States tax return.
• Before you leave the United States, you should
  get a Form 1040NR from the Internal Revenue
  Service.
• You will have until April 15 of the following
  year of your participation to file your income
  tax return. Instructions on how to fill out the
  1040NR and where to send it are found in IRS
  Publication 519. You can expect anything you read
  from the IRS to be extremely confusing. You can
  find help from the IRS officer at the United
  States embassy in your country.
• After you send your completed Form 1040NR to the
  IRS, you can expect to receive a United States
  Treasury check in a few months for any
  overpayment of taxes owed to you. If you have
  trouble cashing this check, contact the United
  States embassy.
• Government Forms and Publications and Where/How
  to Get Them
• All IRS forms and publications can be ordered in
  the United States by calling 800TAX FORM
  (800-829-3676) or can be downloaded from the web
  site www.irs.gov

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Accident Sickness Insurance

• As an ICCP participant you are covered by
  sickness and accident insurance while in the
  United States. Your ICCP Insurance will begin one
  day before you enter the United States up to 12
  weeks. If you stay in the United States after 12
  weeks, you must contact ICCP to request the four
  weeks of additional insurance. There is a
  US10.00 dollars deductible (this is the amount
  you pay every time you visit a doctor)
• Your ICCP Insurance wont cover
• Any illness or condition that begins before your
  arrival in the United States is not covered by
  insurance in the USA.
• Dental care- Do your check up before leaving your
  home country
• Eye care
• Pregnancy .If you discover that you are pregnant
  you must notify your supervisor and ICCP and you
  must withdraw from the program.
• Other important information
• If you plan to travel during the 30 days after
  your visa end date you must purchase additional
  insurance.
• If you are hurt while working as part of your
  job, the placement sites Workers Compensation
  plan should provide insurance. Your host
  institution knows how to handle this.
• If you become ill, or are hurt while not working,
  your insurance is provided by ICCP . There is a
  100,000 limit per accident or illness with this
  insurance.
• Bring any prescription you have for eye glasses
  or contact lenses.
• Be sure to read the insurance form in detail to
  understand what is, and what is not covered.

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Accident Sickness Insurance

• Medical Treatment
• If you need to see a doctor or visit a clinic
• Take the medical claim form with you. Most
  clinics and hospitals will not treat you until
  you can prove with the claim form that you have
  insurance.
• You will need to pay 10 the first time a doctor
  treats you for each accident or illness. This is
  called the deductible and is not paid by the
  insurance company.
• Sign the medical claim form and leave it with the
  doctor, clinic, or hospital before you leave.
• Make a copy of the original claim form. If you
  have Internet access you can download a copy of
  the claim form from our Web site
  www.ymcaiccp.org.
• The claim form is sent directly to the insurance
  company by the doctor, clinic, or hospital. If
  you forget to leave the claim form, you could
  become responsible for the cost of the medical
  treatment beyond the deductible. This could cost
  you thousands of dollars! Medical care in the
  United States is very expensive.
• Remembering what you need and where things are
  when you are ill can be difficult. Keep a medical
  claim form and 10 with your passport. You will
  have everything you need in one place.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the difference between a Support Staff
  and a Camp
• Counselor?
• Support Staff is a full time student to be
  placed in a non-program position
• Camp Counselor works directly with children in a
  program position
• Camp Counselors cannot be placed as Support or
  vice versa. This is a violation of the J-1 Visa
  regulations
• Can ICCP participants travel to other countries?
  Yes, This is permissible if the following
  conditions are met
• The current J-1 visa stamped into the
  participants passport is not marked 1, one,
  or single under the word entry.
• The travel time is within the dates on the
  DS-2019 form.
• A letter from the supervisor on your agency's
  letterhead is sent to YMCA International Branch
  giving the specific dates the participant will be
  out of the US.
• DS-2019 form is sent to ICCP at least two weeks
  before the intended trip. A self-addressed-stamped
  envelope should be included.
• Can the Camp Counselor / Support staff J-1 Visa
  be extended? No

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What to do if I get fired or have to leave my
• camp early? You must contact the ICCP office
• immediately. If you fail to do this we are
  required
• by the Government regulations to terminate your
• J-1 Visa status
• How long can I stay in the U.S with a J-1 Visa?
  Until the Last day on the DS-2019 plus 30 days
• What if I lose the DS-2019? Upon written request,
  ICCP will replace it for a 50 fee
• Can I work during the 30 days travel period? No
• How do I obtain additional insurance?
  (www.ymcaiccp.org)

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I work after my original camp assignment is
  complete?
• What is the last day that I can legally work in
  the United States?
• Can a camp director require that I leave the U.S.
  prior to the end of camp?
• What is the best way to have a great summer?

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TRUE OR FALSE

• Resident camps only operate during the day, and
  campers and staff go home at night._____
• American camps follow a standardized national
  daily schedule._____
• ICCP only serves YMCA camps and centers._____
• Staff at day camps generally has more free time
  than resident camp staff._____
• Day camp staff is usually housed in an
  inexpensive hotel._____
• Being a cabin counselor is a simple and routine
  job._____
• If you are having a lot of difficulty with a
  camper or a situation, you should discuss the
  problem with your supervisor or camp director as
  soon as possible._____
• Camps are required to try to accommodate children
  with special needs (those who are physically or
  developmentally challenged)._____
• Only a small percentage of American children
  attend some kind of summer camp._____
• It is acceptable to use physical punishment when
  a child behaves in a very aggressive or dangerous
  manner._____

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• Have
• The
• Summer
• of
• Your
• Life!