We hope you are all well.

As the summer approaches we know many of you are getting ready and planning for this coming summer.

To help you plan and save CCUSA is pleased to announce some of the great deals that are available to all CCUSA Participants.

YHA MEMBERSHIP

LINKED to this post is an application form for you to purchase the YHA Membership. With traveling around the USA prior, during or after camp having a YHA membership will not only gives you access and great discounts at Hostels in the USA, but anywhere in the world (this is application form is also available on your Footprints account).

ISIC CARD

You should have received an application form from CCUSA previously about this, if not this is available from your footprints account. I am also attaching it to this post so you can DOWNLOAD it if you’re not a CCUSA Participant. You can still apply for an ISIC card with CCUSA.

PLEASE NOTE DO NOT FORGET TO SEND IN A PASSPORT PHOTO WITH YOUR APPLICATION.

IF YOU ARE PLACED – Have you sent in your travel form and Itinerary?

Don’t forget we need your Flight, Travel and Insurance extension form sent in ASAP.  Our camps are waiting to get this so they can start planning airport picks ups and transfers to camp from the camps arrival airport. (This form is available on your Footprints account).

Don’t forget to speak to your local STA Travel branch for great deals for all CCUSA participants. You can also email or contact the STA Travel In-house CCUSA advisor at ccusa@statravel.com.au or call 02 92353982.

INSURANCE EXTENSIONS

If you are traveling longer in the USA or around the world CCUSA strongly urge you to extend your insurance with CCUSA.  You have 3 months insurance already included with the program. So if you are going to be away longer than this then it will cost you $100aud per month or $45aud per week to extend. You can extend your insurance up to 18 months in total and the coverage is worldwide.  Note: If your camp employment dates are longer than 3 months you must extend your insurance with CCUSA. Please use either the Flight, Travel and Insurance extension form you were sent or the Insurance extension form on Footprints to extend your insurance.

US MOBILE PHONES, SIM CARDS, PHONE CARDS

Stay in touch with family and friends! At your pre-departure Orientation, you will receive a E-kit phone card.

If you want to use your mobile phone while overseas, there are definitely so important things to remember and note:

1. If you don’t have a Tri-band phone your phone won’t work in the USA. So you will need one. CCUSA works with 2 great providers that will be able to assist you with this – see links below to E-kit or FonePool.
2. CCUSA strongly urges you NOT TO USE your Australian mobile while overseas. Call roaming and overseas texting charges are huge with all mobile phone companies here in Australia. Each year we have Aussies take and use their mobile overseas (phone or text) and end up with mobile phone bills in the $ thousands $ of dollars. So to assist you in saving money while still be able to stay in touch CCUSA have 2 great providers that can help.
3. Please check out their links below for exclusive CCUSA participant deals. You can purchase these directly through these links OR you can purchase these at your Pre-departure meeting, but we will only have a limited supply available on these days so we do recommend you order through the below links in advance. Check out both companies to order based on your needs, costs for calls and texts.

FonePool: http://www.fonepool.com/ccusa/au/usa/

E-KIT: http://www.ccusa.ekit.com/ekit/MobilePurchase/FreeSim

Just enter your name and email address to get started. You will receive a free USA and Canada SIM card with $5 bonus calling time. Just select and pay the shipping option to get your SIM! At your CCUSA pre-departure meeting you will also have a chance to buy with cash SIM cards and top-up vouchers, and $10 and $20 phonecards.

TRAVEL AFTER CAMP

Want to try and see as much of the US as you can? Then check out the great deals that Trek America offer to CCUSA participants. You can either do a trek prior to or after camp. Check out the great options available to you along with your 10% discount. http://www.trekamerica.co.uk/ccusa/

WORK AFTER CAMP IN CANADA OR THE UK

Don’t forget to check out CCUSA’s Work and Play Canada, Work in English Pubs or Work Exchange UK programs if you want to continue to work while overseas.

These great programs will help you land on your feet and start earning money ASAP.

Contact Brisbane@ccusa.com.au or call CCUSA on 07 3367 2603

It’s that time of the year again when we start planning for the new season. Yes, we’re already in full swing for 2011. This is why CCUSA is the largest visa sponsor of its type in Australia.

Are you a past participant or do you know someone that’s been to camp? Perhaps you have some photos you’d like to share or allow CCUSA to use in our promotional material. How cool would it be to see your favorite photo on our international website or on a poster?

Now is a great time to sift through your digital photos and if you want to share them with us you can do by simply following THIS LINK. You will need to register to view or upload photos but it’s free, quick and simple to do so. Simply follow the steps when prompted.

I wanted to let you know that CCUSA has extended their Camp Counselors USA program applications.
Please read the below carefully.
You will need to fully complete your application ASAP.

For those that have NOT worked at a Summer Camp in America before:
1. We have limited positions still open.
2. These positions are based on what Skills / activities you can do at camp and the level of experience you have and your experience with children. Please call our CCUSA to discuss your skills, skill level and experience with children on 1300 859 040 during office hours 9 – 5 Monday to Friday.
3. Applications will remain open till March 12th.
4. There is a late fee that is due on all applications.
5. You will be required to pay all your fees upfront.

For those that have NOT worked at a Summer Camp in America before BUT have lined up their own job at a camp (so you have an official job offer from a Camp in America)
1. We still have visas available.
2. Applications will remain open till April 1st.
3. There is a late fee that is due on all applications as of March 1st.
4. You will be required to pay all your fees upfront

For those that HAVE worked at a Summer Camp in America before (returning counselors):
1. We still have visas available but the US Consulate has requested we have all our returning applicants visas processed by the end of April.
2. Applications will remain open till April 1st or until the US consulate informs us they can not process any more J1 returnee visa’s
3. There is a late fee that is due on all returnee applications from March 15th.

NOTE:
If you can not go this year, no problems.
Applications will reopen in Sept for the 2011 season.
Stay tuned as we will release more information in June about official opening dates, early bird applications and more.
Thank you
CCUSA Australia

Have you thought about the CCUSA Work and Play Canada program?

Each year we have participants who do a summer camp in the USA and then after traveling a little after camp during their grace period cross the border and work a winter season in Canada.

This year, one lucky Perth participant was supplied a ticket to the Opening Ceremony to the Winter Olympics. We also have two of our British participants who were interviewed by our Canadian Program Partner. Watch the following video to see what they had to say about Lake Louise.

Podcast: Play in new window

The 2010 American Summer Camp program is rapidly coming to an end. The closing date for this season is March 1st, a full month earlier than previous years.

With the GFC hitting America hard, many more locals are applying for camp positions which means less jobs for internationals. This is why we are closing our program earlier. We want every possibility of placing all applicants we’ve accepted on our program.

So if you’re serious about applying for the 2010 season, you have very little time to do so. Applicants need to have completed their on-line application, sought out and received back three reference questionnaires and supplied CCUSA the required supporting documents. You then will have a face to face interview with a CCUSA area representative so your application can be finalized by the March 1st cut- off date.

Don’t delay. APPLY NOW so you have sufficient time to complete your application. Contact CCUSA urgently if you have any questions or need assistance. We want you to have the best summer of your life!