Programs:

The International Counselor Exchange Program creates opportunities that facilitate a healthy interaction between international counselors, American children and American camp staff, with the ultimate aim of nurturing friendships and better understanding between peoples from different cultures. It is an official J-1 visa exchange program under the auspices of the US State Department.

All ICEP Counselors are at least 18 years old and are carefully selected based on their camp-related skills, experience leading children, ability to communicate in English, and enthusiasm for participating in an international exchange. Each applicant submits the ICEP application, an autobiographical essay, a 2 page photo collage, 3 letters of reference, and copies of all awards, in addition to completing both a personal interview in the home country and a phone interview with the ICEP New York staff representatives.

There are 21 representatives in 15 countries who help to publicize the ICEP opportunity, organize information sessions for interested students, prepare counselors for their arrival in the US, and maintain contacts with ICEP alumni. Every representative has participated in camp or is a professional educator.

ICEP works with children's summer camps throughout the USA who incorporate international counselors into their camp program in order to enhance the diversity and educational experiences of both its staff and campers. Program workers strive to carefully match each camp and international counselor based on each camp's needs and the counselor's skills.

The International Counselor Exchange Program is supported by the Association for World Travel Exchange, Inc. (AWTE) that was founded by Robert L. Tesdell and officially incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under New York State Law on April 1, 1953.