Applications are now invited from young leaders, between 18 and
30 years of age ( both male and female), to participate in the 2010
Boy Scout of America Summer Camp Programme - as camp Counsellors.
The BSA will be celebrating their centenary in 2010 and are excited
about having International camp Counsellors at their camps next
year.
The South African Scout Association has a proud history of sending
young Scouters to participate in these summer camps for a number
of years now. This is a great opportunity for these young leaders
to gain experience, travel, meet new friends etc.
Applicants must please take note of the following before applying:
APPLICATION FORMS: Complete the attached application and medical
forms and send it to the National Office for the attention of
the Chief Scout’s Commissioner by no later than 20 January
2010. NO FORMS MAY BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE USA.
NAME: Legal, complete, and CLEARLY LEGIBLE (typewritten if possible).
This is recorded as such on the DS-2019 visa form. Nicknames are
not acceptable.
PHOTO: Should flatter the applicant and be a good print. It
does not need to be expensive, but has to be in proper taste.
Camp directors are not impressed when hair and beards or mustaches
are depicted as being unkempt. Facial expressions also make a
difference. Its best to take the photo on uniform.
AGE: Requirements are exact. Most requests are for males between
the ages of 18 to 30. No one beyond the age of 30 will be accepted
for this program.
OCCUPATION: Tell complete truth. Title, company, government
or private industry, college, or whatever has to be noted for
identification with the U.S. State Department. Be specific as
to student or employed.
SCOUT SKILLS: Tick all that apply. Be specific about these.
It is easier for an individual to be accepted if he has several
skills. It is harder to place someone that only has one or two
skills.
ENGLISH: ENGLISH MUST BE GOOD OR EXCELLENT in order to communicate
well and to understand what is said so he/she can effectively
assume the responsibilities assigned.
FEMALES: They are eligible, but they must be registered with
a recognized Scout association. Opportunities may be limited but
are available.
DEADLINES: All applications must be received in the BSA office
by February 15, 2010. FULLY COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED
BY THE NATIONAL OFFICE BY 20 JANUARY 2010. NO LATE APPLICATIONS
WILL BE ENTERTAINED. Deadlines are important and must be respected.
PLACEMENT:THIS IS NEVER GUARANTEED. The camp makes the selection
based on the applicants' qualifications.
CAMP SEASON: Camps begin around the last week of May and will
last from six to 11 weeks. APPLICANTS MUST BE PREPARED TO BE AVAILABLE
ANY TIME DURING THIS PERIOD.
TRAVEL & TOURING: After completing the program as defined
on the applicant’s DS- 2019 visa form, the Immigration and
Naturalization Service (INS) allows a 30-day travel period commonly
referred to as the “grace period”. During this 30-day
grace period, the applicant is no longer on J-1 visa status and
under the jurisdiction of the INS. Therefore, the applicant is
permitted to travel but may no longer participate in exchange
activities or work.
VISA: The applicant will receive two copies of their DS-2019
form to obtain a J-1 Visa. One copy will be brought to the Consulate
for processing and the other copy MUST be kept with the applicant
while travelling and at camp. The applicant will be responsible
for the SEVIS Camp Counselor fee as well as any additional fees
associated with obtaining the J-1 Visa.
Each counsellor will receive the following support and subsidies:
1. Room and board at camp.
2. Health and accident insurance while the counsellor is in camp
will be purchased for the counsellor. Travel will only be covered
by insurance if a counsellor, upon entrance to the U.S.A., goes
immediately to the camp and immediately home at the close of camp.
The applicant is not insured while they are touring.
3. A salary will be paid to each counsellor equal to the salary
of American counsellors who have similar skills, experience, and
job responsibility. The BSA council that accepts the counsellor
on its camp staff will pay this salary. The counsellor will be notified
the amount of this salary when he or she is notified of a placement.
The camp will make payment, semi-monthly over the period of the
total camp program.
4. While counsellors will be paid a salary, they are responsible
for their own round-trip airline fare and fees associated with obtaining
their J-1 VISA. On acceptance and arrival to the assigned camp,
the applicant will receive a $150 grant to assist with their visa
expenses and a special scholarship to assist with the cost of their
travel equal to $600.
Please note that it is the responsibility of the Association to
send leaders who exhibit good character and leadership. I am therefore
asking that all applications be endorsed by the Provincial Commissioner
and that the PC conducts an interview with the applicant before
signing the forms.
Please advise your members that we will not accept any application
that is not endorsed by the Province.
Yours faithfully
Brian February
Chief Scout’s Commissioner
NB: All applications must be forwarded to the
International Commissioner via SAHQ.
Letter
of invitation to Scout Associations
Counselor
application form