Getting There
Air Travel
We will provide roundtrip airfare for all invited campers from their nearest international hub airport to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) or John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Both are well-serviced international airports.
We will provide a shuttle between the camp and both airports - EWR and JFK. We do not provide ground transportation from other airports, but it is also possible to reach camp from LGA and PHL using public transportation.
Some airlines will require an unaccompanied minor service for minors under a certain age. Requirements vary by airline. Please check with your airline if the camper will need such services.
Visa Requirements
In order to attend Homeward Youth Camp, your child must be authorized to enter the United States. Generally, there are two ways to meet US entry requirements: (1) as a national of the US, Canada, Bermuda, or other country participating in the US Department of State’s Visa Waiver Program; or (2) with a valid US entry visa.
Please read the following sections carefully to determine whether or not you require a valid entry visa and if so, how to obtain one.
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Please ensure that your US passport is valid (not expired) for at least six months at the time of your entry.
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Citizens of Canada with a valid passport meet all entry requirements and do not require further documentation. Please ensure that your Canadian passport is valid (not expired) for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States.
Citizens of Bermuda with a valid passport meet all entry requirements and do not require further documentation for travel up to 180 days. Please ensure that your Bermuda passport is valid (not expired) for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States.
While these are general guidelines, there are exceptions that require nonimmigrant visas for entry. Please check the US Department of State requirements for Citizens of Canada and Bermuda for further details.
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Citizens or nationals of countries participating in the US Department of State’s Visa Waiver Program (VWP) may enter the US for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Please check the list of VWP countries to determine if you are eligible for this type of entry.
In addition to holding a current passport of one of the countries listed in the link above (valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States), you must have a valid ESTA, an e-Passport (verified by the chip symbol on the cover of your passport), and not have traveled to or been present in the following countries on or after March 1, 2011: Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen.
In most cases, if you hold a passport of a VWP country, you will likely only need to obtain the ESTA or ensure your current ESTA will still be valid.
To apply for ESTA approval, please go to the US Department of State ESTA website.
For complete details on the Visa Waiver Program, please go to the US Department of State VWP website.
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If you are not eligible to enter the United States under one of the categories above (1a-c), you are required to hold a valid US visa. Please ensure that both your passport and US visa are valid at the time of entry to the United States.
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If you do not qualify under one of the categories above (1a-c or 2a), you are required to apply and obtain a valid US visa in order to enter the United States. We do not sponsor new visas.
While there are several types of US visas, you may be able to qualify for and apply for a tourism (B-2) visa. There are a number of requirements to apply for and receive approval for this visa, including an online application, in-person interview at a US Embassy or Consulate, current passport, and additional documentation.
Current wait times for US visa interviews are significantly longer than historical norm in many US consulates. Please consider arranging an interview immediately if you need to apply for a visa.
Please see the US Department of State Visitor Visa website for complete details on eligibility, requirements, and application process to see if this visa is right for you.
Health Insurance
All campers are required to carry medical insurance for the entire duration of camp.
Campers whose regular insurance does not cover them at camp (including all campers from outside the US) must purchase travel medical insurance. This should cost around $36 USD for US residents and about $100 USD for international residents. It can be purchased online or from most travel agents.
Important: You do not need to purchase a policy until you receive a formal acceptance to attend Homeward Youth Camp. Following our application process, you will be able to purchase the required travel medical insurance.
For your convenience, we recommend the following sites for finding a policy online:
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For US residents, basic medical coverage starts around $20 and the higher-end coverage is around $100. We recommend "Tin Leg Standard": it is a highly-rated travel insurance policy offering medical insurance with no deductibles.
To buy insurance, begin by filling out this form.
Instructions
Leaving Home: Enter the day on which you will depart for your trip to Homeward Youth Camp.
Returning Home: Enter the day on which you will return home from your trip.
Main Destination: Enter the US.
Country of Residence: Also US. (If you're not living in the US, see instructions international residents below.)
State of Residence: Enter your state.
Citizenship: If you have US citizenship, enter US (even if, e.g., you have dual citizenship). If not, enter your country of citizenship.
Number of Travelers: Select 1 (or more according to the number of campers attending from your family).
Traveler Ages: Enter your current age.
Cancellation Coverage: No; you are just purchasing medical insurance.
First Deposit Date: Enter today.
Payments Left: No. (Since you're not buying trip cancellation insurance, this does not apply.)
Click on "View Search Results".
This will give you different quotes, including one for Tin Leg Standard, probably around $30. Click "Buy Now."
On the right side, under Product, click "View Policy" to see the plan terms: this (somewhat dense) language tells you exactly what you're buying. You can get details at the link "Click here to view the policy certificate."
First, verify your eligibility. Some policies have age restrictions (over 15, for example); others restrict the distance of the travel destination from the traveler's home (more than 100 miles away, for example).
Second, verify that your medical coverage is at least $10,000 with a low deductible. When you are satisfied with the plan you have selected, you can move on to purchase it.
Fill in all the necessary information and pay by credit card. Your insurance information will be emailed to you. You'll now be able to submit the policy information to our staff following an invitation to attend.
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First, an important note: You are traveling to visit the U.S., but not to study. (Even though Homeward Youth Camp offers classes and workshops, you will not be enrolled in school or working towards a degree, so your trip is considered tourism. This is a big difference from the perspective of the government; it affects the type of visa you would need as well as health insurance options.)
If there is a trustworthy insurance company in your home country, which offers health insurance in the US, it may be a good choice. However, make sure to verify the terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and requirements of the insurance policy before the purchase. If you would like to buy an insurance from a company based in the US, please read on.
Purchase Instructions for our Recommendation
We recommend the "Safe Travels USA" policy from Trawick International; basic coverage starts around $50 USD and more comprehensive coverage around $90.
Start by going to this website. You should see "Get a Quote" search box.
Enter your destination (United States), home country, and departure and return dates (add an extra day or two, in case you're delayed for some reason).
Click "Next", enter your age and do NOT tick "I am a student" box. Select "No" for trip protection.
After clicking "Get Quotes" you will see a set of quotes for varying levels of coverage. For each of them you can adjust the maximal amount and prefered deductible amount (we suggest $0).
When you have decided on a level of coverage and a deductible amount, click "Buy Now" to begin the process of purchasing coverage. You will then be taken to a form. After you click "continue", you will finally be invited to fill in all the necessary information and pay by credit card. Your insurance information will be emailed to you. You'll now be able to submit the policy information with our staff following an invitation to attend.
(Alternative) Comparison Shopping
If you would like to see a variety of other carriers and options, fill out this form.
You want to choose a policy that covers medical expenses for a single trip; there are many reasonable options. You can select "None" for the travel suppliers: you are purchasing medical coverage, not trip cancellation insurance. Click "Plan info" to see the details of each policy. On the popup window, you can click "Full Certificate" to see the plan terms: this (somewhat dense) language tells you exactly what you're buying. (The website will also walk you through the details after you have selected a policy.) Click "Buy this plan" to view and customize your insurance.
First, verify your eligibility; then look at exactly what costs the plan will cover. Most policies will make you pay the first $250 of any medical expenses yourself ("deductible"). They will then pay 80% of the first $5000, and 100% beyond that, up to a maximum of $50,000. For a few extra dollars, you can decrease the deductible to $100 or $0. (This is optional, but recommended.) A more comprehensive plan will cover 100% of in-network expenses.
FAQs
I don’t have a visa yet to enter the United States. What should I do?
We will not confirm your registration until you have met the requirements to enter the United States. Any guest who requires a visa to enter the United States must have a confirmed visa interview to be considered for an invitation.
Will you cover other travel expenses in addition to airfare?
Travel support applies only to airfare from the nearest international hub airport. Families who receive travel funding will still have travel expenses - such as travel to the hub airport, visa fees, parking, baggage, etc.