Think you can’t afford to travel over the summer? Think again.

Let’s face it. Those spontaneous summers of yesteryear – skipping around the world with nothing to care about other than beach hair – have got harder to justify recently.

Rising flight, accommodation and food prices have meant that if you want to go away for more than just a two-week jolly – you'll either need a mattress full of cash. Or need a job to support yourself.

The 'more likely to live in the woods' cousin to the Irish J1 - summer camp in America could be the answer to getting away on a budget. With a job, salary, meals and accommodation included – it’s one of the most affordable ways to travel. Coupled with the fact that you get to live with other 18-30 year olds, in epic wilderness-y locations, getting paid to do what you love – it's a win for your wanderlust and your wallet. Here's the need to know.

Minimum USD $2,000 salary

Camp Counsellors are paid a salary, and we have one of the highest first-timer salaries vs other camp providers – minimum USD $2,000 for the summer. Even with days off, it’s actually pretty hard to spend that money. And so most people will manage to save it – either to take home with them or to fund their post-camp travels. (Your J-1 visa allows you to travel for 30 days after camp – so most counsellors do some kind of trip with their new mates after camp finishes in August).

Food and accommodation included

Globally – but particularly in the USA – high accommodation and eating out costs have made it increasingly difficult to travel at the moment. For your nine weeks at camp, all your accommodation and meals are included. Which is a huge bonus. Especially if your alternative holiday accommodation is going back to your childhood bedroom to stare at Bieber posters. (Just us then).

Clothing and extras

Regular holidays usually involve a frantic fortnight of online clothes shopping and fighting with rolls of parcel tape to return all your unwanted items. While there's still opportunities to dress up at camp, you'll basically live in shorts, tees, hoodies and SPF all summer. Plus, most camps will provide you with 8-10 t-shirts to wear – making expensive holiday shops and clothing woes a thing of the past.

Low program cost

At just €299 (program cost for summer '24), Camp USA is our most affordable work and travel program. And includes the sponsorship to work in the USA, your camp job, 3 months' medical cover and more. On top of that, there are some upfront costs to consider – your US J-1 visa (currently USD $185), flights and travel insurance. Our best advice is to book summer camp as early as possible – giving you access to better flight availability and usually cheaper tickets.

Cost vs reward

When it comes to cost vs reward, few travel experiences have the professional and personal impact of camp. Working with children and young people every day, you’ll help to shape their futures – helping them to grow in skills and confidence. While at the same time giving you a ton of transferrable CV and career skills that future employers will love. Camp fifth-timer, content creator and friend of USIT @Vic_Whitehouse says:

"Think about some of the skills you might gain throughout the summer… communication, leadership, problem solving, time management etc. All of which are going to be extremely valuable in any career you decide to go into and are things you can really sell yourself on when applying to jobs, doing your CV and just talking to people about your experience!”

Plus, if you’re looking to pursue a career in sports, the arts or teaching/childcare – working at camp will give you the hands-on work experience you need. As well as General Counsellor positions, camps also recruit for Specialist positions – including teaching soccer, tennis, rugby, swimming, gymnastics, watersports, horseriding, theatre, music, rockband, art and more.

Made you think again about whether you can afford to go away over the summer? Summer '24 applications are closed, but you can book now for Camp USA for summer '25 for more.