HORIZONS USA

To be "immersed" is to be inserted into the environment. At Horizons USA, international children play side-by-side their American peers in fun summer camp games. Through play, laughter, and fun, deeper friendships are created, and conversational English-speaking skills are quickly enhanced through natural play and fun.

In the more than 15 years of Horizons USA, we have seen international children advance their cultural understanding, appreciation, and their conversational language skills because of camp. Unlike others, we are more than an over-priced travel camp where students spend all day on a bus only to jump out for the photo pose by the historical monument or marker! Horizons USA focuses on deeper cultural understanding and conversational English confidence and speaking. It is also why many of our former campers have successfully gone on to study in American private schools, college, or universities.

The best way to learn a language is not by sitting in a classroom behind a desk but rather to be actively engaged and immersed by local language speakers in a fun-filled environment.

We will host a one-week English learning immersion experience for FIVE international guests ages 10-15 from Sunday, July 20-27, 2025. If you are interested- email us at Advantage-USA@comcast.net or find us on WhatsApp or WeChat (SteveHaines)

$1,650  USD

Price includes camp tuition, homestay experience (room & board) breakfast. lunch, and dinner.  ESL and cultural training as well as the full immersive American day camp experience full of games & activities.

NOT INCLUDED: international airfare, airport transportation, international travel insurance and trip protection.

We advise campers arrive into PHL (Philadelphia International Airport) or EWR (Newark Liberty Interational Airport).  Whereas flights may be less expensive into JFK (John F. Kennedy Internatioal Airport) it is more than 2 hours from the campus and the airport pick up and drop off costs are signficantly higher.

We can arrange airport transportation to/from the airports at an additional fee or, campers who may have relatives in the area can save money by being dropped off and picked up at the camp before and after the program.

Airport Transport to/from PHL: One way pick up or drop off: INCLUDED    (30 minutes)

                                                 EWR-One way pick up or drop off: $99.00    (65 minutes)

                                                 JFK- One way pick up or drop off;  $255    (2. 5 hours)

A typical day of summer camp is full of fun & games. Within the fun is plenty of learning too! Camp is a great training group to gain cultural understanding, meet American friends, and create powerful and lasting memories for life.

8:00 a.m. Rise & Shine. Breakfast

8:45 a.m. Arrive to American day camp (Big Oak Day Camp)

9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Participate in many fun camp games that are active and fun. (Soccer, basketball, volleyball, Gaga, etc.

12:00-12:30 p.m. Lunch with American campers

12:30-1:10 p.m. Recess and or swimming

1:10-3:00 p.m. Swimming or scheduled games

3:30-4:00 p.m. ESL class. Led by our certified TESOL teacher.

4:00 p.m. Return to homestay family

6:00-8:30 p.m. Free time and fun with host family.

ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE SCHEDULE

Arrival will be p.m. Sunday after 2:00 p.m. and departure on the following Sunday, about 10:00 a.m.

AMERICAN HOMESTAY EXPERIENCE

We think one of the overall highlights of this immersion experience will be an extraordinary opportunity for overnight home- stay. Our international campers making friends with American campers leads to a wonderful homestay opportunity. Campers can practice their newly learned and refined language skills in a warm and friendly home of an American family. This home-stay provides an excellent opportunity for reciprocal cultural growth and exchange between the camper and the host family.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ADMISSION SESSIONS

Advantage-USA is also an international educational consulting company. We have helped many international students find a “great fit” school to attend for high school or university. Our team of consultants work hard to place each student in a school that is a ‘right fit’ academically, socially and emotionally. 

Because we also provide educational consulting, the opportunity to get to know our summer campers is extremely valuable when it comes to assisting them in finding the ‘right fit’ school for their high school choice.

Where do Horizons campers live? Horizons campers will live with an American host family. Whereas we cannot guarantee, most families who already have children in our summer camp program.

Is the camp in a safe area for my child? The campus is very secluded and safe and children are also very safe in the America homestay.

What will my child do during the day? The unique feature of Horizons USA is that it is a true immersion program. This is the best way for international students to gain stronger conversational language skills. International campers will spend an average of 6 hours a day with American campers. With American kids, your son/daughter will be fully engaged in fun games and activities that will include things like arts & crafts, basketball, computers, drama, sports, swimming, tennis, fun kickball games, archery, and much, much more. Then, after our American campers return to their homes, the international campers of Horizons USA will have structured ESL & culture classes by our highly qualified and certified teachers.  Following class, they will go home with their homestay family.

What is the level of immersion? This is the deepest immersion level you can get!  Spending each day with American kids is full immersion. Add in the homestay evening and you have the maximum immersion experience possible!  If you are seriously considering sending your child to either Middle School or High School in the states, this is an excellent prepatory experience.

How will this experience help prepare them? Horizons USA is a pre-immersion experience. It gives students a greater insight into American students, culture and of course greater fluency of English language. Horizons USA is owned by Advantage-USA whose owner and president, Steve Haines, has spent more than 25 years on the teaching faculty of elite private schools. Advantage-USA is a full-service educational consulting firm that places international students in middle school, high school and universities in the United States. We currently have more than 20 former Horizons summer campers who are now successfully studying in an American private high school, college or university! If this is the dream for your son or daughter, Horizons USA is a great opportunity to provide them with what they will need to successfully study in the US.

A quote from a former camper and student:

Before I came to America, I had many concerns about how my life was going to change. Steve is a really nice guy, and he gave me lots of advice and help in finding my school. I still remember what Steve told me before I came here— first when you are in America, you might be really excited. The second stage, you will be a little tired of your life there, then you will be excited again. Finally, you will get comfortable and adjusted to the life there. Thus, don’t worry about how your life is going to be like. Steve helps you and guides you though the tough processes. Throughout my four years in high school, Steve and I still keep in touch. Most of my friend’s agency do not care about them anymore, especially after they get into their school. Compared to them, Steve really did his job, even more than what he got paid for.

KiKi from Shenzhen

What will HORIZONS USA campers receive to prove their participation in the program? Each camper will receive a certificate of participation and completion of the HORIZONS USA English summer program. Although no credit is earned or given, it is a valuable piece of information for kids to use when applying to private schools within their own country or here in the states. Also, any camper who so desires can ask for and receive a written recommendation from the HORIZONS USA teaching instructor as well as the President, Steve Haines.

 What will the homestays be like? Most American homes are large and comfortable.  Children will either have their own room or share a room with their American homestay child.  

Who will be available should my child get homesick or sick? Our mature and experienced staff have years of experience helping international campers adjust to being away from home. Homesickness is inevitable for most children, but having a caring member of the staff who will recognize and help your child adjust through is crucial. 

What if I want to speak to my child during their stay? We encourage campers to call home to inform parents of their safe arrival. After that, we ask that campers only check in to assure parents that they are safe.  If there is a message that you must get to your child, you may always reach the HORIZONS USA director, Steve Haines by cell phone at 267-261-4098. You can always WeChat Steve as well. His WeChat ID is : SteveHaines

What will my child eat during their stay? The majority of meals served would be typical American food. The varied menu is both nutritious and delicious. There are plenty of choices for campers to enjoy. The 3 main basic meals are included in the camp tuition. 

Who will ensure that my child is fitting in well with his/her group of American campers? The HORIZONS USA staff will work very hard to make sure all HORIZONS USA campers are fitting into their groups for the daily games and activities. All kids adjust at a different rate. Some feel more comfortable speaking in English while others may be more reluctant to do so. The American kids are very excited about the international campers who will be involved in this program. The HORIZONS USA staff are very experienced in helping all campers transition at a rate that is comfortable and relaxing.

What will the schedule be like on the weekends? A sample daily is provided on the HORIZONS USA web site. While with host family, your child may visit a variety of both historical and cultural sites in our area or experience cultural fun things like take in a movie, bowling, see a baseball game, eat ice cream, eat pizza and more! 

Who are the leaders? Steve Haines, Executive Director of Camp Concepts and President/CEO of Advantage-USA runs the program. Not only is he in charge of the domestic day camps but he also lives with and runs Horizons USA. Steve has been a teacher for more than 30 years and has been designing and running summer camps for nearly 30+ years. He is married to Ruth and together they have five children and four grandchildren. A blessed family! He is accompanied by his adult son, Steven, along with his teacher wife Sophie.  Steven and Sophie are both teachers.   Also on staff is Erin, also a teacher and who TESOL certified. (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)   Erin will also lead the ESL and culture sessions.  Both Steven and Erin have worked with Horizons campers for more than 10 years now!  Erin has travled to China twice.

What can I expect to learn? Most international students come away with a greater understanding of American teen culture, a knowledge of many different types of games, new impressions and often realize that preconceived ideas are different from reality. The learning slate is blank- and ready to be filled by everyone who comes to enjoy, absorb and learn in this wonderful camp setting. Let it be you!

We highly recommend international travelers secure USA based travel insurance.  Even though counrty of origin insurance may be cheaper, many USA doctors are hesitate to accept foreign purchased travel insurance.  In the unlikely event that your child is sick or injured while at camp, we recommend the following US based insurance company.

 Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is designed to protect the person traveling and the family from losing the monies paid for or expenses incurred during this travel experience due to unforeseen and unplanned circumstances. We strongly encourage all campers/families to purchase additional camper travel/medical coverage.

This excellent coverage protects you for any unforeseen emergency that may result in your child not being able to make or complete the full trip, providing for emergency medical treatment that may be required during their stay, medical evacuation/repatriation and even baggage delay coverage. We highly recommend Abroad Insurance from the experienced people of Travmark.

Broad coverage areas include: 

• TRIP CANCELLATION / TRIP INTERRUPTION
• TRIP DELAY / MISSED CONNECTION
• MEDICAL EXPENSE
• MEDICAL EVACUATION / REPATRIATION
• BAGGAGE DELAY

Please be sure to check off the immunization shots your child has received and indicate the date of the last shot when completing the online Medical Emergency Form.

We recommend all campers have a physical before coming to camp. PLEASE MAKE YOUR DOCTOR APPOINTMENT WELL IN ADVANCE OF ARRIVAL.

To receive a special rate, be EMAIL US and we will send you a purchase insurance link.