International Staff Resources

A   Sloppy Joe  is ground beef cooked in a sweet-and-savory tomato-based sauce (usually with ketchup, Worcestershire, onion, maybe some mustard or brown sugar) and served on a hamburger bun. Brits might just call it mince in sauce on a bun or joke about it being a "messy burger" or "bolognese bap." Gaga , sometimes called gaga ball, is a variant of dodgeball that is played in a gaga "pit". The game combines dodging, striking, running, and jumping, with the objective of being the last person standing. Players hit the ball at each other with their hands and are eliminated if the ball strikes them on or below the knee. 

Update on Getting Paid The Barton Center (Clara Barton Camp and Camp Joslin) require all staff to use direct deposit to be paid. This means submitting banking information; on pay day your money will be put directly into your bank account. You can access it with a debit card. There will be two options if you do not already have a global bank account set up: Set up a global account (HSBC Global Money Account, Wise, Barclays International Bank Account, etc) Set up a Dash Paycard through Harpers Payroll/Dash.  We will have a flyer available to give out with our company verification code. When you arrive, we will complete the Direct Deposit form (as well as other paperwork that you could not complete because you do not yet have a Social Security Number). It is highly recommended that you establish a global bank account before you arrive.  You are not required to, but if not and you want to set up a Paycard, there will be a waiting period. Please let me know if you have questions.

 Four Things ...came up in recent conversations.  You should add a flag to your packing list, if you have space. Your country's flag, or the flag of your state/province/etc. We will hang it in the dining hall and it will stay there (so don't bring a super nice one because you will not be taking it home). You should exchange your home country's money for US dollars when you have the chance (like at the airport). Most US banks, especially the ones near here, will not exchange money. Any hiring paperwork that requires a social security number, also known as "SSN", are not required until you arrive and we go get you a SSN. Those are forms like the I9 and W4 and MA4, and there are others. For any staff working Food Service/Kitchen: "they should bring black or colored T-shirts as part of their uniforms, along with non-slip shoes. We only provide aprons."

Here's a good article describing what it is like to work at camp. We will do things slightly differently, but they are pretty correct on the description!! https://summercampcounselorjobs.org/what-its-like-to-work-at-summer-camp/

As we are making plans for the summertime, I wanted to share with you some ideas about special clothes (aka theme clothes, aka dress-up clothes). ALL staff are encouraged to participate in these days, including kitchen and health care staff. We do NOT recommend spending a lot of money on these things; camp owns many accessories and costumes can generally be made with things we have on hand, including face paint. 1. Every week we will do Tie Dye Tuesday. Most staff will pack (or purchase) white clothes to tie dye. 2. Once a week we will do an Evening Program called "Cities", and sometimes we will play a game called " Catch the Counselor ". Staff should pack/purchase black clothes for these events. The highlight of each day comes at night when we begin the Evening Programs. Whether it's the Halloween Social or Talent Show, this is the time when the entire camp unites and camper enthusiasm & spirit peaks! 3. Every Tuesday evening we will take the girls to the ...

I am in the process of signing the documents you sent yesterday and have encountered something I am unsure about. With the Cori check they ask whether you have a SSN or not(which I am pretty sure I don't have), should I say I don't have it or will this come with the Visa? Great question! We will get you a Social Security Number (SSN) when you get here. So for now, we don't need the CORI form back from you, we will have you complete it when you get here. The same goes for any other forms that require a SSN, such as tax forms.

Hiring paperwork has been emailed to you! It is due back by May 1st. Some things you will not be able to complete yet; just do your best. If something is wrong, we will sort it out when you get here. Here's all of the paperwork! https://25hiring.blogspot.com/

What American holidays take place during the summer time? Juneteenth (June-teen-th) Thu, Jun 19, 2025 Dating back to 1865, Juneteenth commemorates the day when 250,000 slaves in the state of Texas, which became the last bastion for slavery during the final days of the Civil War, were declared free by the U.S. Army. Fourth of July, Fri, Jul 4, 2025 The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, marks the anniversary of the Second Continental Congress adopting the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. 

 What should I pack for the summer? We have compiled a packing list for you for this coming summer!  Click here I also wanted to share this podcast episode:  The Ultimate Summer Camp Packing List . This is a good and entertaining list of other items you might want to consider. Here's  another article and packing list written by someone who was a camp counselor for 12 years. One good thing to point out is that we will take trips to Walmart during training, so you can buy anything you forgot. (There's a good chance we already have that at camp, though, so you won't have to spend money.)

Would it be okay if I use your contact details as my U.S. contact (so they can call you if they want to very anything) for my visa application? Absolutely! David A. Hennessey, MS The Barton Center for Diabetes Education, Inc. 30 Ennis Road , P.O. Box 356 North Oxford, MA 01537-0356 Phone: 508.987.2056 Fax: 508.987.2002 Email:  David.Hennessey@bartoncenter.org www.bartoncenter.org

What are things related to my health that I will need for employment in Massachusetts, USA? (A) Every camper and staff person shall prior to attending or after receiving a conditional offer of employment from a residential, travel, sports, or trip camp, furnish to the camp the following, prepared and signed by a licensed health care provider: (1) A current medical history which lists allergies, required medications, and any health conditions or impairments which may affect the individual’s activities while attending the camp; (2) A report of a physical examination conducted during the preceding 18 months; and (3) A certificate of immunization.

Where should my family send me mail or packages? If I order off of Amazon, where should they deliver my packages? Please use this address: Your Name c/o CBC or CJ     choose Clara Barton Camp or Camp Joslin PO Box 356 North Oxford, MA 01537-0356 For international mail, include “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” or “USA” in capital letters on the last line. For example: Dave Hennessey c/o CBC PO Box 356 North Oxford, MA 01537-0356 USA

What is the weather like at camp? We are located in the northeast area of the United States; this region is called "New England".  Current weather link During the day, temperatures are normally in the 80's F, or around 27 ᵒ C. Last summer, there were several days where the high was 90 ᵒ F/32 ᵒ C. A few days the humidity was quite high despite it not being very hot. At nighttime, there were many nights that were 60 ᵒ F/15 ᵒ C. Last summer, there were several days where it rained. While sometimes we will move all activities indoors, that is not always the case.  We will send you a packing list that includes things like: sweatshirt, rain jacket, water-friendly shoes like Crocs, etc. Many people "run cold" and will wear a sweatshirt a lot . On days that it is hot and humid, people will wear t-shirt's or tank tops. Also: closed-toe shoes are always required (unless at the pool or lake). Crocs with holes in the front are not  closed-toe.

Technology and Wi-Fi These days, children and staff manage their diabetes with their phone. (It connects to their glucose monitor and insulin pump via Bluetooth.) We are able to monitor their blood sugar levels via an app that connects via wifi. We have excellent wifi service at both of our camps; it covers the entire property with excellent signal strength. While this does pose some challenges when it comes to keeping staff/children from only using their phone at appropriate times, it means that keeping in touch with friends and family is easy for staff members. We recommend that international staff bring a phone/tablet/computer so that they can call/Zoom/etc. with people at home when you are on break. In the olden days, internationals would need to buy an American SIM card for their phone. While this can still be useful, it may not be necessary while you are at camp.

Taxes and Payroll J-1 participants are not considered employees of [an agency such as Camp Connections], they are considered employees of the camp as a J-1 host employer. Therefore, the camp is responsible for complying with all applicable employment laws. This includes ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local tax obligations. Camps should process J-1 visa holders through payroll in the same manner that they do for American staff members. The Tax Reform Act of 2017 eliminated personal exemptions (which had been $4,050 per individual). As such, J-1 participants will now be taxed on their first dollar of U.S. wage income unless an applicable U.S. Income Tax Treaty provides otherwise. The clear majority, if not all of Camp America participants, do not fall under a tax treaty. However, it should be noted that a J-1 visa holder’s wages are not subject to FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare taxes) . In general, employers should withhold income tax from their employees’ (bo...

Do you have someone that I can talk to that has been an international staffer before? Sure! Talk to Cesar, who has many years of camp and international experience. He currently lives in Brazil.  email

Would I need to request in my home country to have my [bank] account accessible in the USA or would I need to open an account in the USA? From Camp Connections: All banks are different. I would definitely let them know you will be in the states in case they charge you for using while abroad.    If that happens looking into Monzo an online bank which internationals use.    Or    From The Barton Center: As Max mentions [above], you can reach out to your current bank let them know you be in the states to determine if 1) you can access your funds while in the states and if any fees will be associated with those transactions 2) if they are an international bank compatible with the states for payroll direct deposits.   We have had previous international staff use online banking companies (ex Monzo, Wise).  Another option we are looking into for direct deposit is Payroll Visa Debit Cards that are issued by our payroll company and do not require any banki...

What happens if I get sick at camp? Basic healthcare needs are met by staff at camp! In addition to having at least one healthcare staffer per cabin, camp always has a Registered Nurse AND Doctor on site. Thus, your healthcare is taken care of, and is free.

Time Off - Campers usually arrive Sunday afternoon and leave on Saturday morning. Half of the weekends have most of the campers here, and the other half of the weekends there are only a few campers. On the weekends when we don't have many campers, some staff are asked to work but most have off from lunchtime on Saturday through Sunday morning.  Staff members all receive one 24-hour (consecutive) period off each week. (We call these "24s".) For example, a Counselor might be off from Monday post-dinner through Tuesday dinner [Monday 7pm to Tuesday 7pm]. We are currently working on a break schedule in an attempt to make this consistent every week. Time off schedules are made depending on job responsibilities, age, and seniority.  On days that staff are working, we also try to ensure you have an activity period off each day (~45 minutes).  Other time off can be requested for a variety of reasons, and we will ask for requests before camp starts. You can also speak with your su...

What is camp's policy on adult substances? In Massachusetts, alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are legal , but ONLY for adults over the age of 21. However, it is strictly forbidden to have any of these substances on camp (including in personal vehicles) and will result in immediate termination. Being under the influence or using any of these substances at camp will result in immediate termination. ("Being under the influence" includes being hungover.) "At camp" refers to anywhere  and any time you are at camp, whether you are on time-off or not. Underage use will also result in immediate termination, whether it takes place on camp or not. If staff members are over 21 can they consume alcohol on their day off? I don’t mean go and get drunk, but a burger and a beer.  Yes, and there is a brewery close that a lot of people really like. Again, you cannot be under the influence when you are on camp. In America, legality of substances and minimum ages for use can vary by...

I have heard that food is always bad at all summer camps. Is that true? No! Ok, yes, some camps have terrible food. But Clara Barton Camp and Camp Joslin aren't camps with bad food.  Camp provides 3 meals and 2 snacks every day, including on your days off. This is free to you! (However, if you get food off-camp or on a cultural "field trip", you will have to pay for that yourself.) During the hiring process, you will be asked to fill out a survey which includes any dietary restrictions/allergies/preferences, and we can accommodate all of those needs. For example, we always have gluten-free, lactose-free, and vegetarian options, and we are completely peanut-free. (Peanut-free means that NO peanut products can be at camp.) Click here  to see the menu from a week of camp last summer. You'll see that we had some delicious meals. We always have a salad bar at meals for healthy options and for those that don't want the main dish. We also always have a "carb bar...

How do you spell the name of our job in America? In the US, it is spelled "Counselor".  Other places it is spelled counsellor (UK: two 'L's), councilor (a member of a government), or councillor (alternate spelling of councilor with two 'L's).  You will be asked to write letters to parents and kids from your cabin. Spelling is very important, so if you misspell "Counselor" we will ask you to rewrite the letter.

I just wanted to get more clarity on the 30 day grace period before/after camp, I noticed camp runs from June until August so how do I determine the 30 day grace period?  You will have 30 days before and after the end of your contract with camp. This means you can arrive in the US up to a month before you start work, and can stay in the US for a month after August 9th, the last day of camp. Please note, you cannot stay at camp more than a few days before or after your employment contract. If you'd like to talk more about that, please send us an email. There is a family friend that stays in Bridgewater Ma so I wanted to find out, if it would be appropriate if I live by them during my 30 day grace period? International staff cannot stay at camp for their 30-day grace period before/after employment. (American staff are not allowed to stay at camp after it ends on the 9th.) So yes, it’d be appropriate to stay with your friend!

Do you know the latest date by which I would have to be at the camp for Counselor training.  The latest you could arrive would be Sunday, June 15 th . Training for Counselors will begin the next day (Monday the 16 th ).

Do all staff get merchandise once they arrive at camp, I'll be a new staff member so I just wanted clarity on that.  We will give you staff uniform shirts, but generally we don’t have any merchandise now. (We moved to an online camp store.) When we do find old merchandise, we like to give it away to staff, but don’t know when that will happen.

Do counselors pay for laundry?  Nope, laundry is complimentary (free). You should plan to buy laundry soap for your personal use. There is no laundry service; you will be doing it for yourself. If you don't know how, let us know and we will teach you! Each camp has two washers and two dryers. Camper laundry takes priority, so you should anticipate doing a little planning to make sure you can get your laundry done when you want. 

Is there any pre or post camp work? Unfortunately, there will probably not be work before or after camp, aside from training pre-camp.

Could you please provide me with a detailed breakdown of the fees I need to pay and the corresponding due dates for each payment?  (NOTE: this post is applicable ONLY for Counselors hired through Camp Connections.) The only fee you will need to pay is the visa application fee of $185.00. Max from Camp Connections will be in touch to let you know when this will be due. Under the bottom section called “Other Program Costs”, what you should note: Roundtrip Airfare:       paid by Camp Counselor, depends on carrier Housing:                          $0 Transportation:                $0 Meals:                               $0 (meals are provided by camp, outside of camp you pay for your own meals. Most people use pocket money for things li...

Both camps are located in the US state of Massachusetts Camps are where the red dot is, below, in the "U" of Massachusetts. [Click READ MORE for the full-size map.] Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine (not on this map) and Rhode Island are known as the "New England" region. This does not  include New York. They are just New York.

Will my stuff be safe at camp? YES. The area where camp is is very safe. There are no violent crimes nor thefts. Most staff keep their personal belongings in their luggage at their bed. Some people buy plastic shelves from Walmart. Children are NOT allowed to go in Counselor belongings, but we will still ask you to keep some things (like some medicine) in places that the children cannot go (we will tell you what medicine needs to be kept in the infirmary). Your most important things (Passport, etc.) can be kept in the safe at camp.

Are there any restrictions on water use at camp? No, you can shower as much as you want. (Do it on break, or make sure your other cabin counselors are watching the kids.) All Americans shower at least once per day. Americans usually wear antiperspirant and deodorant (combination) and we can help you find some you like, if needed.

 I highly recommend the following podcast, made by two former international camp staff: This One Time at Summer Camp . Mainly, I wanted to share this episode: The Ultimate Summer Camp Packing List . We will send you a packing list, but this is a good and entertaining list of other items you might want to consider. Other episodes I’d particularly recommend include: 11 Things They Don’t Tell You About Summer Camp , and All Diesel No Brakes (an interview with me, Diesel!)  [Click READ MORE to open the post so you can click the links.]