Camp USA Participant Wins International Video Contest

Congratulations to Camp USA participant Rodrigo Macías for winning the 2009 “Expand Your Horizons” video contest sponsored by WYSE Work Abroad! Rodrigo, who hails from Mexico, entered the international contest after spending a summer working as a camp counselor at Camp Horizons in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Rodrigo’s winning entry is a witty and honest tribute to the benefits of working abroad—such as meeting people from all over the world, teaching enthusiastic campers, and earning enough money to allow him to travel the USA.  The $2000 prize that he won for the video contest didn’t hurt either.

Rodrigo—clearly popular among the Camp Horizons family—worked with his fellow counselors and campers to help out with his contest entry, and if the video is any indication, it looks like all at Camp Horizons had a great time last summer. It just goes to show what a fantastic opportunity the J-1 Visa program is; not just for international participants, but also for camp directors and the kids who attend summer camp.

Congratulations Rodrigo! InterExchange Camp USA is delighted for you and proud to be your J-1 Visa program sponsor!

WYSE Work Abroad is a global not-for-profit organization that represents trusted organizations specializing in work abroad and volunteer programs, and sector association of the World Youth Student & Educational (WYSE) Travel Confederation.

Tell Us About Your Summer!

The campfires have dimmed, the s’mores have been eaten, and the campers have headed home. Yes, another summer has flown by at Camp USA—and we want to hear about yours. Help us get through the cold months ahead by sharing some of your warmest memories from summer 2009.  As a special thank you, we’ll send you a Camp USA Care Package!

If you worked at a camp, tell us about your funniest, craziest, and most unforgettable moments. Maybe you tried waterskiing for the first time, or learned a few great American camp songs, or taught a song from your home country. Maybe you traveled to some exciting places with friends you made at camp. Whatever you did, we want to hear about it, and if you have photos, even better!

Camp directors—we want to hear from you too! Tell us some stories about your favorite international Camp USA staff members. What was the wackiest thing that happened all summer? Which counselors or support staff were extra-popular with the campers? Who went above-and-beyond the call of camp duty? Let us know!

Email us your best memories from summer 2009, and let us know where to send your Camp USA Care Package. And don’t forget to visit our Facebook page, where you can stay in touch with all of your Camp USA friends all year round.