Program Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 1. What are the dates for Hometown USA in 2012?  [ + ]

    There are 2 two-week sessions scheduled for 2012:

    • July 23, 2012 – August 4, 2012
    • August 6, 2012 – August 18, 2012

    Villagers may attend both sessions, but there will be an additional charge for the interim stay.

  • 2. Who is eligible to attend Hometown USA?  [ + ]

    Hometown USA accepts villagers age 12-18 for the first seesion of camp and 14-18 for the second session. All levels of English are welcome, including beginners. Villagers must be able to care for their own personal needs and be comfortable spending two or four weeks away from home.

  • 3. How many villagers can attend Hometown USA?  [ + ]

    Hometown USA English language camp accepts up to 80 applications per session.

  • 4. How do I apply for Hometown USA?  [ + ]

    Click here to Get Started

  • 5. When is the application deadline?  [ + ]

    The application deadline for Hometown USA English language camp is June 1st, 2012

  • 6. When will I find out if my child is accepted to the program?  [ + ]

    CIEE will confirm acceptance within 10 business days of receipt of an application. We will send an invoice for the program fee, and after CIEE has received payment, we will send the villager their enrollment materials.

  • 7. Where is Hometown USA Located?  [ + ]

    Hometown USA is located in Sandstone, Minnesota on a 100-acre Audubon Center.

  • 8. What do you suggest for vaccines?  [ + ]

    Hometown USA does not require any specific vaccines. Please contact your family physician or the CDC website for suggested vaccines for traveling.

  • 9. Where can I get information for a visa?  [ + ]

    Upon acceptance to the program, you will receive an Acceptance Letter containing information that may be needed at the time of a visa interview. For villagers requiring a visa, please apply early to accommodate the visa application process.

  • 10. Is there transportation to and from camp?  [ + ]

    Yes, there are three options for getting to camp:

    • If your family is in the US prior to the session, you may drop your child off at Hometown USA between 2:00pm and 4:00pm on the Monday that the session begins.
    • If your child is arriving by air on the day that the session begins, a staff member from Concordia Language Villages will meet them at the Minneapolis/ St. Paul (MSP) airport and transport them by charter bus directly to the camp. Please note – villagers must arrive by 10AM on the first day of camp in order to catch the bus to Hometown USA.
    • If your child arrives by air the day before the session begins, they will be met by a staff member from CLV at the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport and taken to a nearby college where, for an extra fee, they will stay overnight and travel by charter bus the next day to the camp.

    The villagers will travel from Minneapolis/St. Paul to Audubon Center in Sandstone, MN and back by a comfortable charter bus. The bus trip is a 1.5 hour ride through rural areas of Minnesota.

  • 11. Who will book flights?  [ + ]

    Families/Partner Representatives need to book the flights for villagers. Once a flight has been booked, send a copy of the ticket to CIEE to coordinate pickup at the airport.

  • 12. What should I bring with me to Hometown USA?   [ + ]

    A packing list will be sent out to families prior to the session. There are no laundry facilities available at Hometown USA English language camp so it is encouraged to bring enough clothes to last through the session. Bedding and towels are provided to villagers, however.

    Villagers can bring cell phones with them, but they will not be permitted to use their cell phones while attending Hometown USA. Villagers and parents should be prepared for this.