Summer camps are not as common in Asia as in the USA but they do exist. They also hire international workers to help run their programs. If you are hoping to be a camp counselor in East Asia this summer, then here is a list of summer camps that may be a good fit for you.
Photo Credits: MI PHAM
What to Know
Are these like American Summer Camps?
Most of these summer camps aim to have an American-style influence. All of them are English immersion camps. Many of them have a classroom TEFL component and others focus on adventure and being in the great outdoors.
What do I need to work at these camps?
To legally work at these camps you need to meet their company/organization's work requirements and obtain the proper VISA. The type of VISA you will need will depend on what country you are going to and if you will be working or volunteering. Be sure to do your research and make sure you are eligible to apply.
Is there a fee to work at these camps?
This list is split up into 3 categories: Paid jobs that you can directly apply to, programs that provide summer camp placement and assistance for a fee, and camps that offer unpaid volunteer positions. It is up to you to decide what type of camp you want to work for and how you want to get there.
How do I apply?
The links on this list will take you directly to the camp's job page or company's program page. This page will tell you how to apply or who to contact for more information.
Paid Summer Camp Jobs in Asia
The following summer camps offer paid summer jobs for international workers. You can directly apply to their job opportunity's at no cost to you. Aside from a paycheck, most of these camps also provide housing and meals.
About: ASIJ is a day camp conducted in English with the goal to provide an "American camp experience". They offer English classes and multiple activities such as; swimming, frisbee, tennis, mini golf, and more.
Location: Tokyo, Chofu, Japan.
Eligibility: To be an English Teacher or Specialist you must have a college degree and teaching experience. To be a general camp counselor you must be at least 15 years of age.
Length: July-August.
About: English Adventures offers English immersion summer camps and winter ski camps for youth ages 6-14.
Location: Japan.
Eligibility: International staff must be over the age of 18.
Length: October-June or July-August.
About: Evergreen is a year-round outdoor company that offers programs and active tours to people of all ages. In the summer they offer summer camps for campers age 7-16.
Location: Hakuba, Nagano, Japan.
Eligibility: For a summer camp counselor position you must have a drivers license and experience with kids. A first aid/CPR certification may be required.
Length: Summer, exact months unknown.
Note: They ask that general summer staff speak Japanese, however this requirement is not listed for summer camp counselors.
About: UWC ISAK is a school that offers summer camps for students.
Location: UWC ISAK Campus, Karuizawa, Japan.
Eligibility: Not stated.
Length: Several weeks in July.
Notes: They have paid staff positions and volunteer positons.
About: Camp Taiwan is an English-immersion wilderness camp for youth ages 5-15. They also offer family camps and corporate retreats. They aim to bring the traditions of "North-American style camps" to Asia.
Location: Taiwan.
Eligibility: Fluent English speakers who are currently in college or have graduated from college, are certified in CPR/First Aid, have experience teaching or assisting with one of the activities they offer at camp, and have experience working with youth.
Length: 8 Weeks, June-August. They also have seasonal facilitator positons that run from March-October.
About: SummerShine Camps is an English language activity camp with the goal of teaching English in an outdoor, active environment.
Location: Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Eligibility: Inquire Within.
Length: June-July.
Note: They use the terms staff and volunteer but there is no mention of pay rate.
About: Camp Beaumont offers multi-day activity camps across Asia for youth ages 3-12.
Location: Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.
Eligibility: Meet VISA requirements for the country you are looking to work in.
Length: Summer camps are April-August but hey have camps all year round.
Note: You must find your own housing and way to get to camp.
About: iCamp Thailand hosts American-style residential camps for youth.
Location: Province of Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
Eligibility: Inquire within.
Length: June-August with holiday camps available.
Notes: There is no staff page available but you can inquire about jobs via their facebook or contact page.
About: Dragonfly English Camps offers English camps for students in schools across Thailand.
Location: Across Thailand.
Eligibility: Must be a UK citizen or legal resident.
Length: Unknown.
Note: Pay is unknown, must inquire within.
About: Bangkok Dolphins is an organization that focuses on teaching kids how to swim. Every summer they offer a camps that focus on swimming, aquatics, and general play.
Location: Bankok, Thailand.
Eligibility: Inquire within. As this is swim school, swim teachers and lifeguards are needed.
Length: Camps are 8 weeks, June-August.
About: Asia Pacific Adventures is an outdoor adventure company that offers multiple programs and camps for youth of all ages.
Location: Hong Kong.
Eligibility: Instructors are expected to be experienced in the activity field they are apply for and be certified in first aid.
Length: Summer camps are June-August but holiday and winter camps are offered.
Note: They hire both year-round and freelance instructors.
About: Camp Asia offers different types of "holiday camps" for children ages 3-16.
Location: Singapore at the Stanford American International School or the Australian International School.
Eligibility: They hire experienced teachers and teaching assistance.
Length: Their summer season takes place from May-August. They also offer winter and fall camps.
About: Camp Asia Academy is a sister program of Camp Asia. They offer multi-day activity camps to youth ages 3-16.
Location: Singapore at the Stanford American International School or the Australian International School.
Eligibility: Inquire within.
Length: Summer and year round.
About: American Paradise camp is an English speaking residential camp for youth ages 8-16.
Location: Vietnam.
Eligibility: Unknown.
Length: May-August.
Note: Their website is down but they do have a Facebook Page with more information or you can apply at OneWorld 365.
About: Seoul ESL offers two summer camp programs for youth; a 4-week English day camp and a 2-3 week residential camp.
Location: Seoul or Jeju Island, Korea.
Eligibility: Native English speakers with a bachelors degree who are from one of the following countries; Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, UK or USA.
Length: Up to 4 weeks.
About: Study Bali is an organization that offers multiple English teaching programs including English summer camps.
Location: Bali, Indonesia.
Eligibility: Ages 25+ with a TEFL certificate.
Length: 3-5 weeks in May-August.
Summer Camp Placement Programs in Asia
The following is a list of companies that offer programs that place you in a summer camp job in Easy Asia. Most of them you will need to pay a fee to join. What each program provides will vary but most offer paid placement, VISA help, room and board, meals, overseas assistance, and more.
About: Gotoco aims to improve cross-cultural understanding around the world by offering free TEFL program placements.
Program Fee: Free.
Location: China, Indonesia, Thailand, or Vietnam.
Eligibility: Must be a UK citizen or legal resident.
Length: 2 month, July-August.
About: Adventure China offers English language summer camp placements across China.
Placement Fee: £299.
Location: 11 locations across China.
Eligibility: English speakers ages 18-30.
Length: 8 weeks, June-August.
About: Camp Thailand's program offers a one-week Thailand travel experience, followed by a six-week summer camp teaching placement.
Program Fee: £899.
Location: One of 5 locations in Thailand; Sukhothai, Ubon, Bangkok, Chonburi, or Trang.
Eligibility: Fluent English speakers ages 20-50 that hold a degree. Must be from one of the following countries; the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, or Australia.
Length: 6 weeks teaching with 1 week of travel/orientation in June-July or June-August.
About: Greenheart Travel is an organization that offers different types of travel and work placement programs across the world. They offer short term Thailand teaching placements for the summer in camps across the country.
Program Fee: $1,800.
Location: Across Thailand, starting with orientation in Hua Hin.
Eligibility: Fluent English speakers ages 20-60 with a college degree and TEFL/TSOL certificate. Must be a citizen of the USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand, or Australia.
Length: 6-10 weeks from June-July or June-August.
About: Xplore Asia is a travel company that offers different programs across Asia. They have a summer camp program in Thailand for participants to teach English.
Program Fee: $1,395.
Location: 10 possible placements across Thailand.
Eligibility: Native English speakers ages 18+ from one of the following countries; the USA, UK, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, or South Africa.
Length: 4, 8, or 12 weeks. Programs are offered year-round with summer start dates in April, May, June, or July.
Volunteer at a Summer Camp in Asia
The following is a list of organizations that offer opportunities for international volunteers. These are not paid positions and some of these programs have a volunteer fee.
About: SCOA offers an internship to student athletes and dancers from the USA to teach their skills and provide a cultural exchange experience for Japanese campers.
Volunteer Fee: None.
Location: Japan.
Eligibility: U.S. college students or recent graduates that participated in a team sport, cheer or dance.
Length: 5 weeks, July-August.
Note: They do offer some paid positions. This internship includes flights, housing, and meals.
About: Summer Programme for Immersion in Communicative Language is a non-profit organization that offers three 7-day summer English camp programs for children 10-12.
Volunteer Fee: None.
Location: Hong Kong.
Eligibility: Current undergraduates or recent graduates.
Length: July-August, 3 weeks for camp and 2 weeks for training.
Note: Volunteers are provided housing and meals. Volunteer info is at the bottom of their home page and you can inquire about volunteering via their contact form.
About: The Open Minds Project is an organization that runs year round programs for underprivileged children and teenagers. They offer IT and English camps during the summer.
Volunteer Fee: None.
Location: Thailand.
Eligibility: English speakers.
Length: Mostly in April or October but other dates are offered.
About: The Cultural Exchange Project offers multiple programs across the world. Their Thailand day camps offer English immersion opportunities for disadvantaged youth.
Volunteer Fee: $1,699.
Location: Across Thailand, starting with orientation in Bangkok.
Eligibility: Native English speakers age 18+ with a college degree and experience in general teaching, teaching English, or as a camp counselor.
Length: Minimum 4 weeks, maximum 3 months. Programs are offered year-round.
About: This program offers summer day camps for underprivileged youth that take place in public schools across Thailand.
Volunteer Fee: $1,500, plus cost of water/electricity.
Location: Various locations across Thailand with orientation in Bangkok.
Eligibility: Native English speakers ages 18-50.
Length: 3 weeks during June-August. They also offer winter placements.
Conclusion
If you are looking to work at a summer camp in East Asia, hopefully this list helped you find the position that is right for you. Before accepting a job, make sure you do your research on the company/organization you are applying to, including; checking out their social media, looking up past employee reviews, and ensuring they are a legitimate summer camp. Have fun this summer and enjoy the beauty of East Asia!