If you’re thinking about spending your summer working at a summer camp in America, there’s a good chance you’ve already come across USA Summer Camp and Camp America.

So, what’s the difference?

And more importantly:

Which summer camp programme is right for you?

The truth is that both organisations can help you achieve the same big goal — spending an unforgettable summer living and working at a summer camp in the USA.

But there are differences in costs, wages, flights, support and how the programmes work.

We’ve put together an honest comparison to help you decide.

First, what actually is USA Summer Camp?

USA Summer Camp has been helping participants experience summer camp in America since 2007.

What started with two people who genuinely loved summer camp has grown into an established summer camp organisation helping young people find placements at camps across the United States.

2027 marks our 20th summer, and while plenty has changed over those two decades, our goal hasn’t:

Make working at summer camp in America as affordable, straightforward and rewarding as possible.

What is Camp America?

Camp America is one of the most recognised names in the summer camp industry.

It has been operating since 1969 and sends thousands of participants to summer camps in America each year.

Like USA Summer Camp, Camp America helps participants through the process of finding a camp placement and preparing to spend their summer working in the USA.

So if you’re researching your options, Camp America is understandably one of the companies you’re likely to consider.

And that’s exactly why we think it’s worth comparing the programmes properly.

USA Summer Camp vs Camp America – the quick answer

Both programmes can get you to summer camp.

Both provide support through the process.

Both offer opportunities to work at American summer camps, with food and accommodation provided while you’re working at camp.

But there are differences in what you’ll pay and what you’ll earn.

And those differences can add up.

💵 How much will I earn at summer camp?

This is one of the biggest differences worth looking at.

For Summer 2027, USA Summer Camp offers participants a minimum camp wage of $2,400.

That’s the minimum salary.

Depending on your camp, age, role, experience and the length of your contract, some USA Summer Camp participants can earn considerably more — with certain positions paying up to around $4,000 for the summer.

Camp America’s published 2027 information states that first-time participants can receive between $1,300 and $2,250, depending on their role and whether they choose the Camp America flight option. So as an 18 year old you would earn $1,900 pocket money compared to $2,400 with USA Summer Camp.

That’s an important distinction.

With USA Summer Camp, $2,400 is the minimum camp wage for our 2027 programme, rather than the maximum advertised amount.

🏠 What about food and accommodation?

This is where summer camp is very different from taking a normal summer job.

While you’re working at camp, your food and accommodation are provided.

That applies with both USA Summer Camp and Camp America.

So you aren’t earning your summer wage and then having to spend a huge chunk of it on rent, electricity and your weekly food shop.

That’s why you’ll often hear camp earnings described as pocket money.

Your money can instead be used for things such as:

  • Days off
  • Shopping
  • Eating out
  • Camp merchandise
  • Activities
  • Travelling after camp
  • Or simply saving some of it to bring home

How much you actually spend is completely up to you.

✈️ What about flights?

This is another area where it’s important to compare like-for-like.

Camp America offers different programme options, including an option where flights are arranged as part of the package.

For UK applicants, Camp America’s flight package can include your flight to America and a return flight from New York, although conditions and potential supplements apply.

Camp America also offers a no-flight option, allowing participants to arrange their own travel and potentially receive more camp pocket money.

USA Summer Camp offers exactly the same flight option as Camp America. USA Summer Camp fee for a Flight Included package is £599, where Camp America charge £695.

When comparing programmes, don’t simply look at the headline programme fee.

Look at:

Programme fee + flights + visa costs + third-party costs – camp earnings.

That’s a much better way of understanding what your summer actually costs you.

💰 Which programme offers better value?

This is where we’d encourage you to get the calculator out.

A programme that initially appears cheaper isn’t necessarily better value if you’re earning hundreds of dollars less at camp.

Likewise, a programme including flights may make more sense for someone who doesn’t want to arrange their own travel.

For us, one of the biggest advantages of USA Summer Camp is simple:

We want as much of your camp wage as possible to end up with you.

That’s why USA Summer Camp’s minimum camp wage for Summer 2027 is $2,400, with some placements offering considerably more.

We believe participants should look at the whole financial picture, not just an attractive application price.

🇺🇸 Will I get the same summer camp experience?

Ultimately, your agency isn’t where you’ll spend your summer.

Your camp is.

Whether you travel through USA Summer Camp, Camp America or another provider, the really important part begins when you arrive at camp.

You’ll live and work alongside people from around the world.

You’ll work with campers.

You’ll probably learn skills you never expected to learn.

You’ll experience American camp traditions that make absolutely no sense until you’ve lived them.

You’ll make friends.

And after camp, you’ll have the opportunity to explore America.

That’s the part we all agree on:

Summer camp is pretty special.

🆚 So, is USA Summer Camp better than Camp America?

We’re probably slightly biased. 😉

But we’re not going to tell you Camp America is a bad programme.

It isn’t.

Camp America has been operating for more than 50 years and sends thousands of people to camp.

What we will tell you is to compare the details before you choose.

Ask:

How much will I pay?

What’s included?

How much will I earn?

Are flights included or separate?

What support will I receive?

What happens if I need help in America?

How does the placement process work?

And most importantly:

Which company do I feel comfortable trusting with my summer?

Why choose USA Summer Camp?

We started USA Summer Camp in 2007 because we loved summer camp ourselves.

Twenty summers later, we’re still here.

We’ve grown, we’ve worked with camps across America and we’ve helped thousands of participants experience something that we genuinely believe can change your life.

But we’ve tried to keep the philosophy simple.

Great camps. Great support. Fair fees. And great wages.

For Summer 2027, that means a minimum camp wage of $2,400, with opportunities to earn considerably more depending on your placement.

We’re proud of what we offer.

But don’t just take our word for it.

Compare us.

Compare the costs.

Compare the wages.

Read the reviews.

Ask questions.

Then choose the programme that’s right for you.

USA Summer Camp vs Camp America: the verdict

There isn’t one programme that’s automatically right for everybody.

If the Camp America package suits you better, that’s absolutely fine.

But if you’re looking for an established summer camp company with 20 years of experience, competitive programme costs which are £96 cheaper and a minimum 2027 camp wage of $2,400, we’d love you to take a closer look at USA Summer Camp.

Because choosing a summer camp company isn’t really about buying a programme.

It’s about choosing who you trust to help you get to America.

Ready to compare for yourself?

Take a look at the USA Summer Camp 2027 programme, see exactly what’s included and discover how your summer in America could look.

Your summer. Your choice. Your adventure. 🇺🇸