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About

International Campers

Over the course of a camp season, Grier Summer often has a proportion of our campers who are non English speaking and come from around the world to enjoy the experiences of a recreational American camp program. The cultural, social, and linguistic immersion experience of camp helps girls to improve their conversational English without even realizing it. Our summer community is well balanced with American campers and staff, living, playing, and creating alongside campers and staff typically from European, Asian, and South American countries. Although English is the language of Grier Summer, we typically have Spanish, French, and Mandarin speaking staff members available to assist with overcoming language barriers if they arise.

English as a Second Language

Depending on the interest and needs of our international campers, Grier Summer may offer an English for Fun activity period during the three week camp sessions. There is no additional fee for campers to participate in this activity. Taught by either a certified teacher or a teacher in training, this activity is intended to enhance the conversation English skills of non native speakers by creating informal learning opportunities through the use of games, music, and print media. By participating in the English for Fun activities, campers are improving their abilities to understand, use, and converse in English.

Health Insurance

In order to ensure that international campers are adequately covered for medical issues should any arise while at camp, it is mandatory for them to be covered by a local, US-based health plan. Grier Summer will make arrangements for the coverage and will provide families with the enrollment paperwork in advance so that coverage is secured before the camper arrives. International campers will be billed for health insurance.

Getting to and from Grier

Grier Summer will meet campers for arrival or accompany campers for departure from the following airports: University Park (SCE), Pittsburgh International (PIT), and Dulles International (IAD). Staff are available to pick campers up from flights that arrive between 1200-1600 and depart between 1200-1600. There is a fee for this service, and arrangements must be made by June 1.

Kish Travel, based in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, may be a helpful resource to families in planning their trip to Pennsylvania. Since Grier Summer staff are only able to transport campers to and from specific locations and times, the staff at Kish Travel can help families make these arrangements. Kish Travel can be reached at 814-643-5240.