International Campers at SMA Teen Summer Camp


**Please Contact Camp Director Jud Millar about International Camper Availability


International Campers

Each summer, Stone Mountain Adventures hosts a handful of international campers. In fact, our international campers often become some of the longest-returning campers at SMA! To ensure a positive summer experience, we ask that you please thoroughly review the information on this page. If you have any other questions, please contact Director Jud directly at 814-667-3874 or Jud@sma-summers.com 

 

Here are a few reasons why SMA is a great American camp for international campers:

  • We are a small camp that can give personal attention to each international camper’s needs in a new culture.
  • We create a friendly and supportive atmosphere that is almost like home for international campers.
  • Enrolling your teenager in an American summer camp is an amazing way to learn more conversational English language.  
  • Our staff meet international campers at Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC, and drive the camper directly to camp (approximately three hours). Staff return and wait with international campers at Dulles until their flights depart.
  • Campers can call home to speak with families on certain days.
  • Families can send email messages or faxes for the camper whenever they wish.
  • Credit cards and international bank wires can be used for payments.

Click here for International FAQs

 

International Camper All-Inclusive Package  

  • Dulles International Airport Pickup/Dropoff Service                    $350 for 2 Weeks
  • Bed Linens, Pillows, Towels, etc.                                                $425 for 4 Weeks
  • Sleeping Pad and Sleeping Bag for Camping Overnights          $500 for 6 Weeks
  • Baggage Coordination at Camp                                                 $575 for 8 Weeks
  • Family/Camper Communication via Phone and E-mail

 


International Travel Information


Our International Campers arrive and depart from Dulles International Airport, Washington D.C.  Your child's travel on the SMA Camp Van from Dulles Airport to SMA Camp and back is included as part of the International Camper All-Inclusive Package.

 

Dulles International Airport Procedures

Upon their arrival, your camper will go through immigration and customs before meeting an SMA staff member at International Arrivals. We will call you when we meet your camper there and then again when they arrive at camp. While we encourage international campers to travel with a cell phone,  please note that cell phones will be kept in the camp office once the session begins and that your camper will not have access to them.

 

Unaccompanied Minors

Unaccompanied Minors are children deemed by the airlines as too young to travel without an escort. Each airline has their own fees and policies regarding unaccompanied minors.

  • The airlines will require that you designate one of our camp employees as the responsible adult who will assume custody of your child at Dulles Airport upon their arrival.
  • A representative from the airline will escort your child off the plane and accompany them through immigration, baggage collection, and customs.
  • Our camp employee will get a security pass to meet the airline representative and the unaccompanied minor (your child), at which time the airline will release the child to our supervision.
  • From there, our staff person will take your child to meet the other campers arriving that day.  
  • Please contact Director Jud directly at Jud@sma-summers.com or 814-667-3874 to identify the Stone Mountain Adventures employee who will be meeting your child.

 

Arrival Information

Please book flights for your child that arrive at Dulles International Airport between 12pm and 4pm.  Please contact Jud Millar when you have reserved a flight BUT BEFORE you purchase your booking to confirm that the times are good. Upon arrival in the US, your camper should use the following address on all immigration forms:

Stone Mountain Adventures

9803 Old Hawn Rd

Huntingdon, PA 16652

USA

Phone: 814-667-3874

 

Departure Information

Please book flights for your child that depart Dulles International Airport between 2pm and 6pm. Please contact Jud Millar when you have reserved a flight BUT BEFORE you purchase your booking to confirm that the times are good. Our staff will help your child check-in at the ticket counter and then walk with them to the security checkpoint. This is as far as non-passengers can go and where they will say “goodbye, see you next summer!” to your child. Our staff will stay at the airport until your child’s plane has departed.

 

SMA Camp Vans

Once our experienced camp counselors meet your child outside Customs & Immigration, we will travel back to SMA in the camp van. The drive takes about 3 hours including stops for toilet breaks and snacks. This does make for a long travel day, but our camp counselors do a great job of making tired young travelers feel welcome & comfortable.

 


International Family Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

How many international campers come to Stone Mountain Adventures?

Each summer we usually have several campers from outside the USA, and some sessions we have more than ten! All camp activities and cabin activities are instructed in English, as the immersion into the American culture and English language is part of the cultural experience for our internationals.

 

Will international campers be in a cabin with other non-English speakers?

Due to the size and capacity of our cabins, there is some likelihood that international campers may share a cabin with others from around the world. When possible, we arrange cabins with a good mix of Americans and International campers. Very little time is spent in the cabins each day, and our counselors do a very good job of maintaining an inclusive atmosphere in an English-speaking cabin.

 

How many international campers from one country will be at SMA?

Each summer we will accept no more than seven campers who are native speakers in the same given language. This avoids any tendency for international campers to just spend time with their language speakers.

 

What forms do we need to complete before SMA?

Please complete our Online Medical and Travel Forms, found here. 

 

What should we pack?

When packing for camp please refer to our International Packing List. As part of the International All Inclusive Package, you do not need to pack linens (pillows, blankets, towels, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, etc.).

 

Do I need to ship my luggage to the USA via UPS?

NO, you do not need to ship your luggage via UPS. You can check your bags at the airport, travel with them on the plane, and bring them on the camp van back to camp.

 

Do I need to send my child with spending money?

International campers should have travel money for meals & incidentals while traveling. While at SMA most campers do bring a little spending money (around $100 for two weeks) for the Amish Market, county fairs, etc.

 

Can I write to my child at while they're at camp?

You can easily write to your child by email. Send e-mails to your camper to info@sma-summers.com and put your child’s name in the subject line. Please send only text, no photos. Campers will receive your email but won’t be able to write back.

 

Phone Calls

Cell phones and other electronics aren’t allowed at camp but can be used by campers while traveling.

  • International campers will call home within 24 hours of arriving at SMA to tell you they arrived safely.
  • Campers typically receive/make one additional call per 2 week session.
  • We will post dates/times for for campers to receive/make phone calls with boys and girls being on separate dates to alleviate phone congestion.  It's important to stay in contact with family while attending a USA Summer Camps for Teens.

If you have family or friends in the USA or Canada that can serve as an emergency contact please provide us with this information. Please update this section and the previous one with any recent changes or clarifications.

 

How do I pay camp tuition?

We accept the following payment methods:

 

USA Summer Camp for Teens