International Camp Counselor Program
For over three decades, the ELCA International Camp Counselor Program has been inviting young adults from around the world to work as camp counselors at ELCA-affiliated summer camps in the United States. This program gives ELCA campers and camp staff the opportunity to experience the gifts of our global partners, and it provides transformative leadership development experiences to young adults from partner churches. Together we are bringing global perspective to outdoor ministry and facilitating intercultural exchanges that have a lasting impact.
This program is rooted in the principles of accompaniment -- a way of working together as churches that is rooted in mutuality, inclusivity, empowerment, and shared resources. By facilitating impactful intercultural exchanges, the program deepens the relationships and shared learning between the ELCA and partner churches around the world.
Getting Involved
The ELCA invites youth and young adults (ages 18 to 30) from around the world to work as camp counselors at church-affiliated summer camps in the United States. This international exchange is an opportunity to deepen your leadership, immerse yourself in a new cultural context, connect with other young leaders from around the world, and share your skills in ministry with children and youth. This program is a great fit for people who have experience working with children and youth, and people who are excited about intercultural exchange.
ELCA summer camps vary widely in their location and programming, and all of them offer transformative outdoor experiences in youth and family ministry in a Lutheran setting. Camp counselors are employees of the camp who lead a wide variety of activities, including games, arts and crafts, nature activities, Bible study, devotions, worship, hiking, water activities, music, and more. The program runs from late May through mid-August each year.
In order to apply to this program, applicants must first be nominated by a church body that has an established partnership with the ELCA. Applications for this program are distributed through the head offices of these partner churches. Application forms are typically made available in October, and applications are typically due in December. For detailed information about the program, insight about the camp counselor role, and info on how to apply, read the Program Overview document here.
For ELCA summer camps:
Receiving international staff through this program is a great opportunity to bring global perspectives to your ministry, with a rooting in the ELCA’s international partnerships. All ELCA-affiliated summer camps are invited to express interest in receiving staff through this program. Every winter, Lutheran Outdoor Ministry (LOM) member organizations receive an email with instructions on how to submit an interest form.
The ELCA program provides recruitment and screening of applicants, sponsorship of the J-1 visa, travel arrangements, participant orientation, and many other logistical and programmatic supports.
To learn more about the program and how to get involved, contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
A successful applicant to this program will be:
- Between the ages of 18 and 30.
- Available to travel to the United States from late May to mid-August (U.S. summer months).
- Experienced as a youth worker, student or teacher, or specially skilled at working with children and youth.
- Highly responsible, dependable and trustworthy — especially in settings with children and youth. Camp counselors will spend most of their time working with children and youth and must have a history of responsible engagement with children.
- Flexible, resilient, open to new experiences.
- Proficient in the English language.
- Willing to work in an outdoor environment that may be rural and/or far from city areas. Camp counselors spend most of their days working outdoors in wilderness environments.
- Willing to experience the challenges of summer camp work. Counselors will be asked to share their gifts in Bible study, worship, music, recreation, and any specific skills they might bring. They will be asked to share their faith perspectives and their culture with campers and coworkers. Participants should understand that this work is physically, emotionally, and spiritually demanding, and also very rewarding.
- Committed to returning to the home country after the program concludes.
Accepted participants will receive:
- Sponsorship of the needed J-1 visa for entry into the U.S., including advising during the visa application process
- International and domestic air travel at the beginning and end of the summer
- Stipend provided directly to the participant through a loadable debit card (exact stipend amount varies from year to year)
- Health and accident insurance as required by visa regulations
- In-person orientation and training events at the start of the summer
- Lodging and meals at camp throughout the summer
- Bedding and towels for use at camp
- Ongoing supervision, advising and interpersonal support throughout the summer
- Payment of U.S. income taxes owed due to taxable compensation, plus assistance in completing the required tax documents
Access to the application forms is distributed through the head offices of partner churches. The application has seven components:
- Participant application form
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Copy of passport ID page
- Reference form completed by a teacher or employer
- Endorsement form completed by the nominating church
- Third party agreement form completed by the nominating church
- Interview form
- All eligible applicants will be interviewed by ELCA staff and may also be interviewed by prospective camps
In order to enter the United States and participate in the camp counselor program, applicants will need to apply for and be approved for a J-1 exchange visitor visa, which allows presence and employment in the U.S. in alignment with the camp counselor program. Accepted applicants will receive extensive support from the ELCA team in navigating the visa application process. The ELCA serves as the visa sponsor for accepted applicants. Please note that decisions about visa issuance are made by the U.S. Department of State, and approval of the visa application is not guaranteed.
The International Camp Counselor Program provides the following services to participating camps and counselors:
- Recruitment and screening of applicants from global companion churches around the world
- Sponsorship of the needed J-1 visa for entry into the U.S., including most associated paperwork, fees, and advising
- International and domestic air travel arrangements and cost
- Stipend provided directly to the participant
- Health and accident insurance as required by U.S. visa regulations
- In-person orientation in Chicago at the beginning of the summer
- Ongoing advising and program support for participants and hosting camps
Participating camps agree to provide the following:
- Enthusiastic hospitality and interpersonal support for participants
- Training and supervision alongside other summer staff
- Hosting if there is any gap between the Chicago orientation and summer staff training (dates tba based on participating camps)
- Ground transportation from and to a nearby airport
- Opportunities for participants to engage in meaningful cross-cultural experiences throughout the summer
In lieu of salary/wages paid directly to the counselor, pay a program fee to the churchwide organization. The program fee covers some of the total cost for each participant, and the churchwide organization covers the remainder. The program fee is typically similar to the average summer wage for camp counselors. Bedding and towels for the counselor to use throughout the summer.
Many common questions are answered in the Program Overview document (see link above). If you have additional questions, you can contact our team.
