Frequently Asked Questions

The hiring pool is open from fall through spring, with peak hiring occurring between fall and late winter. 

You can set up your profile on CIEE's hiring platform, Beacon, for the next season after the current camp season ends. Once your profile is complete, you’ll gain access to the hiring pool, where you can interview candidates, send job offers, and place participants.

The deadline for direct placements and returners is March 31. Applications received after April 1 will incur a $100 administrative fee, which increases to $200 after May 1. 

Yes, after registering in SEVIS (the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), all participants must register for Social Security. Camps are responsible for helping participants schedule their Social Security appointments. Participants are required to pay federal, state, and income taxes.

To register for Social Security, you’ll want to make sure your camp counselor participants have:

• Form SS-5, the application for a Social Security card
• Original DS-2019, the certificate of eligibility for exchange visitor status
• I-94, a document thar shows that the participant is in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa
• Passport and visa
• Placement Agreement Form (PAF)

Yes, camps must provide all three basics for their camp counselor participants:

• Housing, which varies by camp
• Meals, which must be supplied or given through a stipend
• Transportation
  • From the airport to the camp at the beginning of the program
  • From the camp to off-site destinations on days off

Yes, you can tailor your search in the hiring pool to find candidates with specific skill sets, experience, and age ranges that align with your camp's unique requirements and environment. This includes considering the specific needs of single-sex camps or programs that require particular expertise.

All participants are screened for their English language level. Participants from non-English speaking countries often have an English language addendum or an evaluation that requires a teacher to sign off on their English abilities. CIEE recommends that participants be able to interview in English and demonstrate at least an upper-intermediate level of proficiency.

Participants arrive in the U.S. from a variety of countries around the world. CIEE works with global agents who recruit participants from 40+ regions. (CIEE keeps an up-to-date list of countries on its website, though we can make arrangements to accommodate countries not listed.) If there are participants from other countries who are interested in becoming a camp counselor, CIEE may still be able to work with them.

The participant is responsible for their flight costs. Occasionally, some camps have chosen to cover the cost of flights for participants. Refer to the Preferred Airport Stipend information for the list of airports and their associated preferred added surcharges.

Yes, there are actions you can take to help your participants as they get ready to leave for the U.S. You’ll want to remind your participants and make sure they understand:

• Detailed information about where they’ll live, how they’ll be paid, what to expect at camp, and what cultural differences they may encounter.
• What documents to bring, what to expect during their arrival process, what the onboarding requirements include, and any other logistical details.
• Information about the camp's daily routines, rules, and expectations so participants can mentally prepare.
• Camp procedures or expectations that are unique to your location or program. 

At any point, camps and participants may email camp@ciee.org. Camps can reach the camp team line at 1-207-274-5795 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  If your participants need assistance, direct them to our 24/7 Emergency Participant Services line at 1-888-268-6245. 

Should you have issues with one of your camp counselor participants, CIEE will help you navigate the process.  

• First, try to speak with the staff member to resolve the issue. If you need assistance, contact the camp line at 1-207-274-5795 or email camp@ciee.org for support, and a case will be created. For after-hours emergencies, contact Participant Services at 1-888-268-6245.
• If the decision is made to terminate the camp counselor, notify CIEE immediately. The participant must then reach out to Participant Services. The camp must submit a report within five business days of the termination date.  
• A record will be kept, and the camp is required to arrange for the participant's transportation to a nearby transportation hub or hotel.

Invoices are sent midway through the camp season. You can contact CIEE if any updates are needed, and new invoices will be issued within a few weeks.

CIEE is proud to offer a simple, transparent fee structure with no hidden costs for you or your participants. CIEE has some of the lowest fees in the industry. Check out the Program Fees for more details.

Payment methods are determined by the camp. International staff can be paid through local bank accounts or international bank accounts. Camps can also set up pay cards for staff.