ACA is aware of new guidance issued by the US Department of State regarding the application of age parameters within the BridgeUSA Camp Counselor program for the 2027 season. The State Department has clarified its interpretation of 22 CFR § 62.30, stating that international participants in the Camp Counselor category must have direct responsibility for groups of American youth. Under the State Department’s guidance, this means campers must be under age 18 — or under age 21 at camps specifically designed to serve individuals with disabilities.

ACA is actively engaged on this issue. It is our position that BridgeUSA participants with placements at camps serving adults with disabilities achieve all cultural exchange benefits and outcomes for which the program is intended. Additionally, we believe that if these age parameters are applied, the timeline for implementation should be thoughtful so as not to harm the adults with disabilities served by these camps. We are working closely with the BridgeUSA sponsor community to better understand the guidance, its implications for camps, and the questions that need to be answered for additional clarification. ACA has also already requested a meeting with the US Department of State to discuss these concerns directly.

ACA recognizes that this guidance raises significant questions for camps, particularly those serving older participants or operating programs in which cultural exchange participants serve across multiple age groups.

The State Department acknowledged that some camps have historically operated in ways that may not align with this interpretation and indicated that it will not take compliance action related to previous placements provided sponsors and camps take steps toward compliance going forward. The State Department has stated that beginning with the 2027 season, sponsors are expected to work with host camps to ensure placements meet these requirements.

At this time, we are asking camps not to take independent action or contact the State Department individually regarding this guidance. A coordinated approach will help to ensure that the State Department receives a clear and consistent understanding of how camp programs operate and the potential implications of this interpretation. 

We also encourage camps not to make significant changes to their 2027 staffing or program models based solely on this communication while ACA and the sponsor community seek additional clarification.

ACA will share additional information with the camp community as soon as we have greater clarity from the State Department. We understand that camps are already planning and hiring for summer 2027 and that timely answers are important.

Thank you for your patience as we work with our partners and the State Department to address these questions on behalf of the camp community.