USA SUMMER CAMP: General Information

WHO MAKES UP THE USA SUMMER CAMP TEAM?

The success of USA Summer Camp depends on the teamwork of the AD, LAC, ACs, JD and JCs. Each team is made up of:

1 AD (American Director)
1 LAC (Lead American Counselor/Assistant Director)
20 ACs (American Counselors)
1 JD (Japanese Director)
2-4 JCs (Japanese Counselors)

AD (American Director)

If you compare a USA Summer Camp team to a baseball team, the AD is like the manager/coach. The AD basically provides the leadership for the ACs and is responsible for organizing camp and managing the ACs. The ADs will make schedules (with the help of the JD/JCs who are in communication with the schools and facilities), assign ACs to groups, and will always make sure that the AC`s needs are met and that they are always on deck.

LAC (Lead American Counselor/Assistant Director)

The LAC/Assistant Director is the assistant coach to the team, and assistant to the director. This position began when USA Summer Camp expanded in 2003 and is meant to provide more leadership for the ACs. As assistant director, the LAC will help the AD with the organization of camp and the management of ACs.

ACs (American Counselors)

Sticking with the baseball analogy, the ACs are the baseball players that make USA Summer Camp what it is. GHJ works with a network of schools and teachers in the United States to recruit our highly motivated counselors each summer. The main reason for the huge success of USA Summer Camp has always been the close relationship between counselors and campers. The counselors are not “teachers” whose day is done when the lessons are over; they are “friends” who enjoy meals, recreation and free time with their campers. The AC’s responsibility is the campers.

JD (Japanese Director)

The Japanese director is like the co-manager of the team who is the liaison between USA Summer Camp and JTB, the schools, and the camp facilities. The JD works closely with the AD and JCs to inform them about facilities, schools, schedules and name lists, transportation, host families, etc.

JCs (Japanese Counselors)

ACs in the past have said, “Sure, camp can’t happen without the ACs, but it also wouldn’t be possible without the JCs.” The JCs are the ultimate support team for everyone else—the AD, LAC, JD, ACs, and the campers. Some of the many things the JCs do are translating for English activities, caring for the campers in ways the ACs cannot do, supporting the AD/JD/ACs, talking to the teachers of the schools, communicating with the facility, and preparing for activities when the ACs are busy with their campers.

WHEN AND WHERE WILL USA SUMMER CAMP TAKE PLACE?

With the exception of the Nagasaki team, most teams will arrive in early July and stay in Japan for 6-7 weeks. When camp is not in session, GHJ will set up host family stays for the ACs. Each team typically runs about 8-9 three-day camp sessions throughout the duration of the summer.

As far as locations, USA Summer Camp ran in seven different locations in the summer of 2004. The original Nagasaki team continues to run independently and is not supported by JTB. The other six teams that are supported by JTB are located in: Tokyo (2), Osaka, Nagoya, Kita Kyushu, and Kumamoto.

The camp facilities for each team will vary from place to place. Different camp facilities include government-owned recreational facilities, a Japanese-style hotel, a sports and communication center, and independent campgrounds. Some teams will generally stay in one facility, while others will travel to different facilities throughout the summer to run different programs. Although the locations vary from team to team, the USA Summer Camp program remains the same.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO BE A CAMP COUNSELOR?

USA Summer Camp is conducted in English. Although many people at camp (including the students) will be speaking Japanese, Japanese language ability is not required to apply to this program.

USA Summer Camp is designed to be an exciting place for students to use English in a casual, relaxed environment. Counselors do not teach the English language. Instead, they lead groups of Japanese students through activities using English as the means of communication. Qualified applicants generally:

• have prior experience working, volunteering or spending time with children (activities may include experience as a camp counselor, babysitting, tutoring, or any other activity involving children);

• have studied a foreign language and understand the difficulties involved in communicating in a foreign language;

• can show that the experience will benefit them personally or professionally;

• are enthusiastic about spending time with children (while at camp, counselors spend 24 hours/day with their children--eating, sleeping, playing, and spending "free" time together is a must!) and/or;

• can speak fluent, conversational English at an appropriate pace and use vocabulary which would be understandable by Japanese students.

General Information
The Erik Spindler Award
USA Summer Camp Photo Album
Applying