What documents do I need to provide?
Your Camp Leaders profile has a documents section that outlines everything you need to upload, including any deadlines and supporting information. The specific documents required may vary depending on your country and role.
All documents need to be uploaded in PDF or JPEG format, under 2MB in file size. If a document has multiple pages, upload them as a single file.
What certificates do I need to upload?
You only need to upload certificates if you have listed a skill for which you hold a certification or qualification. Uploading a relevant certificate changes your application to a specialist role, which comes with higher pocket money. For details on specialist pocket money, visit the Camp Leaders pricing page.
Why will my documents not upload?
Make sure your file is in PDF or JPEG format and under 2MB. If a document has multiple pages, combine them into a single file before uploading. If you are still having trouble, try a different browser or contact the Camp Leaders team for help.
How do references work?
To work at summer camp, you need 3 professional references. This is a US Department of State requirement. You will send reference requests through the Camp Leaders platform, and your referees will receive a link to complete their reference online.
We recommend requesting at least one reference as early as possible. References depend on other people, so getting one in early keeps your application moving. You can always request the rest later.
Your 3 referees need to have known you for over 6 months and cannot be a relative. Valid referees include:
An employer or supervisor
A teacher or lecturer
A coach
A religious leader
Who can be a referee?
Anyone who has known you in a professional, educational, or structured volunteer capacity for at least 6 months. They need to be able to speak to your character, reliability, and suitability for working in a camp environment.
Family members cannot be referees, but colleagues, teachers, coaches, and community leaders are all suitable.
How many references do I need?
You need a minimum of 1 reference to progress, but 3 is ideal and is the Department of State requirement. The more references you provide, the stronger your application will be.
How do I chase up a late reference?
If a referee has not completed their reference, you can resend the request from your Camp Leaders profile. Reference requests expire after 7 days, so let your referees know to expect the email and complete it promptly. It is also a good idea to message or call your referee directly to let them know to check their email, including their spam folder.
If you are struggling to find 3 referees, you can have the same type of referee more than once. For example, 3 references from 3 different teachers is fine, even if they are all from the same school or university.
What about my police check?
Every participant needs a valid police check. For full details on what type of check you need, how long it takes, and how to upload it, see the Background checks article.