Frequently Asked Questions for AES International ESL Summer Camps

Q1.What are the dates of the camp?

The exact dates of the camp vary from year to year according to the calendar.  However, every year the camp runs the entire month of July through mid-August.  Students can arrive on any Sunday and stay from two to four weeks. 

Q2.How much will the camp cost?

The cost of the camp depends on the number of nights a student stays (14, 21, or 28) and whether or not they need transportation to and from the airport. The price includes room and board (3 meals a day), 15 hours of ESL classes per week, structured daily and evening activities, one full-day excursion and one half-day excursion per week, and a graduation certificate.

Q3.What is the focus of the ESL classes?

When students arrive, they are tested in the four skills of reading, listening, speaking, and writing and placed into the proper level.  Our ESL classes focus on daily conversational American English.  We also prepare students for their stay in the US with a lot of role play, i.e. “How to order food in a restaurant or pay for something in a store.”  Teachers will also spend time to introduce vocabulary related to the excursions that we will go on each week of the camp.   Higher level classes also use TOEFL and TOEIC listening practice.   

Q4.Are the ESL teachers qualified?

AES hires only those teachers who have at least a B.A. degree and who have experience teaching ESL.   They go through a vigorous screening process.

Q5.What is the teacher-student ratio?

On average, the ESL classes do not exceed twenty students.   AES staff members are always on hand, in the residence halls, cafeteria, and every scheduled activity.   They are easily recognizable on excursions, as they wear red AES polo shirts. 

Q6.What is the maximum number of students in the camp?

There are 183 spaces in the residence hall.  We recommend that the largest groups to be under 30 students at a time to maintain a nice balance among students of different nationalities.  There are also some college students in the residence halls, but they are on a separate wing of the building.

Q7.What are the facilities like?

The ESL classrooms are state-of-the-art.   They are well-lit, air-conditioned, equipped with audio/visual equipment and have comfortable seating.  There is computer access in or near the classrooms.

There is a new athletic facility on campus with two large gyms.  The campus has soccer fields (football pitches), baseball fields, tennis courts, a sand volleyball court, and even a golf range.  The cafeteria has a wide variety of meals available.

Q7.Who are the sports and activities leaders?

The AES staff members in charge of sports and activities are usually college students who have had experience working with youths and are highly involved in sports and coaching.  We search for college students who intend to be physical education teachers or have special skills in arts and crafts.

Q8.Who is the director of the program?

The Director of Operations has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Secondary Education and holds Master’s degrees from two universities in Pennsylvania.  He has been a university lecturer and language school owner for the past ten years.  

Q9.What is the visa process?

Students should go to the US embassy or visa-granting authority in their home country and apply for a B1-B2 travel/tourist visa.  AES will provide an official letter of acceptance to use when applying.

Q10.How can I apply for the camp?

First, inform the Director of Operations for AES that your child/student wishes to join the camp.  Booking information will be forwarded to you.  Once we know how long the student would like to stay, AES will issue a “request for payment” form.  At first, you need only pay a 10% deposit to reserve space in the camp.  Full payment must be received four weeks before arrival.   The Director of Operations will issue an invitation to take when going for a US travel visa.   After the flight is reserved, tell the director when the student(s) will be arriving and if they need transportation.  Before the camp begins, a questionnaire will be sent out to ask for medical and dietary needs.  

Q11.Is my deposit refundable?

Yes.  In the unfortunate event that the US visa is denied, the deposit is refundable (minus the wire fee).  We do ask that there is proof of visa denial.

Q12.What nationalities are usually present on campus?

In 2007, there were eight nationalities present, but each year is different.  There are usually also some international college students on campus at same time we hold our camp.  

There are American youth workshops operating on campus which our international students may join for an additional weekly fee.   These courses and prices are not posted until March or April each year.  The prices range from $35-70 per four-day course and most American students are under the age of 16.  If an international student wishes to join the American youth workshops, it is recommended that they have at least a basic conversational fluency in English.  If a student does NOT join the American youth activities, there are still a variety of activities to do with the international students and there are still lots of opportunities to interact with Americans.

Q13.How should I go about getting health insurance?

Students should purchase travel insurance in their home country in order to cover their flight and their stay in the USA.   However, if you desire additional insurance, we can recommend policies which have coverage ranging from five days to two months at various coverage amounts. 

Q14.Is the campus safe?

All students who stay in the residence halls receive a card key for the main door of the building as well as a room key to lock their doors.   There are campus police available 24 hours a day who frequently patrol the campus.   AES staff are always available in the residence hall, cafeteria, and at all activities.  The campus is located in a peaceful suburban area.   

Q15.What is the residence hall like?

The air-conditioned residence hall has a mini-café, a meeting room with large screen TV, a game room with a billiards table and TV.  There are two-person rooms with beds, desks, and closets.   A shower room is on each hall.  Each room is issued a phone number so that students’ parents can call directly to their rooms.  Internet access is provided for students who would like to bring a notebook computer.  (Computers are also available in many parts of the campus).

Q16.How many students per room?

There are two students to a room.  AES suggests that students accept staying in a room with a student from another country if possible.  This will encourage them to use English!