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The International Camp Staff Programme (ICSP) is operated by The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in conjunction with The Scout Association. It offers you the opportunity to work for 6 to 12 weeks during the summer months (commencing mid June) as a Counsellor at one of the BSA Summer Camps or Cub Scout Day Camps.

There are more than 400 Boy Scout Camps in the USA. The camps have organised programmes for the boys where Scouting skills and ideas are presented. Each camp period usually lasts one week and will have on average 150 to 200 boys from 10 to 15 different troops. There are between 6 and 11 one-week camp periods during the summer. Cub Scouts participate in day camp programmes.

As a staff member, you and the rest of the staff will receive a weeks training before the camp opens. You will sleep in a tent or a small cabin and eat in the dining hall. There will be little free time as programmes run throughout the day and evening. However you will receive an occasional free day when you can visit nearby towns. The Camp Director or their representative will be available to help you make the most of the experience and deal with any problems that you may have.

more about The International Camp Staff Programme...

You will receive a salary equal to that paid to American Counsellors on camp (on average $800). Special Skills and qualifications may increase your salary. Accommodation and food is provided free of charge during the camp.

You will have to pay for:

• Application fee of £30 (non refundable) Payable by cheque to the Scout Association.
• Jl Volunteer/Exchange worker Visa payable to the US Embassy (forms are provided)
• Flight and travel costs to and from the camp
• Travel Insurance Policy (it is obligatory to purchase The Scout Association Travel Insurance Policy)
• During your time off you will need money for admission to places of interest, tours, entertainment, postage, laundry and souvenir items etc. During camp you will need money for extra drinks and snacks through the day.

Before departure, a personal Health and Medical Record has to be completed usually involving a medical. You are required to have inoculation against tetanus in the last 10 years.

A version of Scout Uniform is worn at all times by staff members. It is suggested that you take two uniforms to enable washing and changing. Many of the camps have Class A and Class B uniforms. Class A is your full Scout Uniform, though you can probably wear shorts if the climate is hot. Class B uniform is normally the camp polo/tee shirt with uniform trousers or shorts.

The UKSA International Core Team have produced an Information Sheet explaining what the ICSP is and how you can take part.

Its easy! Please fill in the provisional application form as pdf (37Kb) or word (800Kb). The International Office will then send you a participants pack with all the necessary forms for Boy Scouts of America, your Visa and your Medical Record. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the International Office on international@scout.org.uk or 020 8433 7119.

Claire Smallwood attended Camp Alexander as an international camp staff member in 2002. Read her report here (132Kb Acrobat file)