KAMP staff returning in 2011 - BUNAC offers a great value package for support staff returning to camp. You can be a returner with BUNAC regardless of whether you originally went with BUNAC or not but you must have previously held a J-1 support staff visa to be eligible and you must still be a full time student.

You have the freedom to negotiate your own contract and choose which flight option suits you best. If you change your mind about your preferred flight option after you have submitted your application forms, it is often possible to change.

Flight options

OPTION 1 - Regular Returner - You travel on a BUNAC round-trip UK/US flight.

This option offers the lowest up-front costs because flight and other administrative expenses are loaned to you and deducted from your total camp salary and paid to BUNAC on your behalf on completion of your contract. This deduction will be $1095 in 2011 and you receive the balance of your salary from the camp. You choose your outward and homeward flights from the BUNAC Flight Programme. We offer outward flights from London to New York and homeward flights from New York to London. If you want to use this flight option to fly to a destination other than New York to suit your camp location, please call us to discuss before applying.

Advantages of taking a BUNAC flight include:

Hassle free – Leave the stress of booking flights to BUNAC. Flexible return option means it is usually possible to transfer your homeward flight to a different date within the flight programme for a low cost fee.

Value For Money - As well as your flight, the BUNAC package includes transfer from the US arrival airport, overnight accommodation in New York, a BUNAC T-shirt and a phone card.

Meet Friends - Travelling with other BUNAC participants giving you the opportunity to make friends before you even arrive in the US.

OPTION 2 - Own Arranger - You make your own travel arrangements and keep the full salary.

There are no deductions to BUNAC from your camp salary, nor do we make any charges to your camp (unlike other organisations) so you get the full salary amount as stated on your contract. You make your own flight and travel arrangements and the registration fee paid to BUNAC up-front covers the administration expenses.

OPTION 3 - BUNAC Own Arranger - You apply as an Own Arranger but buy a BUNAC round-trip flight and pay for this prior to travel.

There are no deductions from your camp salary and you have all the benefits of the BUNAC flight package described above. You pay for your flight at the time of booking (please check with BUNAC for the latest price).

KAMP USA Application Fee for Returners

The following application fee currently applies for returner applications in 2011:

£195 including
  • BUNAC membership fee
  • Choice of flight option
  • 4 months comprehensive insurance
  • SEVIS administration fee

Other costs (Note these costs are not unique to BUNAC)

Group in kitchen

All applicants will be required to provide a current police background check. Residents of England and Wales will apply for a Disclosure through the CRB and the cost of this is £36. In Northern Ireland, the fee is £30 and for residents of Scotland there is currently no charge.

The US Embassy charges a visa and courier fee of £125 (subject to change) and you will pay this at the time you apply for your visa. There may be extra charges for certain nationality passport holders (not UK or Ireland) – please contact BUNAC for advice.

For Regular Returners, any fuel surcharge charged by the airlines will be payable at the flight booking stage.

How to apply

It will be possible to apply online as a KAMP Returner shortly. In the meantime, to discuss making an application please contact us.

Other returner options

Returning as a KAMPer to a different camp

If you have already arranged a contract, the returner application process will be the same, but with the addition of a letter of reference from your previous camp. We cannot accept your application without this additional reference. If you want BUNAC to find a new camp for you, you will have to apply as a first time applicant so that we can compile an up-to-date dossier to show to camp directors. You must still apply as a first time applicant if you have a referral to a camp which is interested but has not yet issued a contract. Again you must have a letter of reference from your old camp.

KAMPers returning as counsellors

If you have previously worked on BUNAC's KAMP USA programme (or similar) and want to return as a counsellor, you should apply to the Summer Camp USA programme as a first time applicant and attend an interview.