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International Camp Program
The International Camp Program is designed for students between 8 and 15 years old. The primary purpose of this camp is to introduce the international student, considering enrollment as a full-time student at an American school, to the American cultural, language, academic rigor, and Homestay living that they would experience as a full-time international student. The International Camp Program is a perfect way to determine if this type of educational opportunity is appropriate for a student.
Excursions and Field Trips specific to the Pacific Northwest of the United States are taken in order to further enhance the student's educational studies, interpersonal skills, cultural awareness and knowledge of the United States. These trips and excursions are comprised of activities that are interesting, exciting, and thought provoking. Each activity is designed and directed by highly qualified staff with years of experience in their professional fields.
Academic Enrichment
Academic Enrichment at the International Community School includes Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. ICS uses both Mastery Learning and Inquiry Based Instruction as instructional strategies. By providing students with steady feedback on their learning progress and de-emphasizing the passive practice of "listening to learn" in favor of questioning and investigation our students are more successful at learning and are better able to apply themselves to higher level thinking.
Advantages of Academic Enrichment
- Experienced, licensed, and certified American teaching staff.
- Internationally recognized teaching pedagogy and curriculum.
- Studying in small classes where each student receives personal attention.
- The use of state-of-the-art computer-aided instruction and assessment.
- Participating in many unforgettable trips and excursions to interesting and historical places accompanied by native English speaking guides.
- Comfortable Homestay accommodations with local Host Families near ICS.
English Language Study
In our constantly changing and highly competitive world, speaking English has become the key to personal and professional success. At the International Community School students receive daily intensive practice in English using proven language acquisition methods, as well as, real-life situational experiences to master nuances of the English language and American culture.
Advantages of the English Language Study
- Experienced, licensed, and certified American teaching staff.
- Practicing English in a natural setting with native English speakers.
- Studying in small classes where each student receives personal attention.
- Using computer-aided language learning and audio-visual facilities.
- Participating in many unforgettable trips and excursions to interesting and historical places accompanied by native English speaking guides.
- Practicing English in their Homestay with their Host Families.
Excursions and Field Trips
The International Summer Camp takes the students on a variety of excursions and field trips to further enhance their language, academic, and cultural awareness. The Pacific Northwest offers some of the most beautiful scenery and outdoor adventures in the United States, and McMinnville’s proximity to the city of Portland offers many cultural and educational opportunities that are generally only available in major American cities.
These trips and excursions are comprised of activities that are interesting, exciting, and thought provoking. Each activity is designed and directed by highly qualified staff with years of experience in their professional fields. The students are engaged and actively participate in each of these activities providing for a kinesthetic approach to learning.
Homestay Accommodations
Students attending the International Summer Camps have the unique opportunity to stay with well qualified host families in the McMinnville community. Each family is carefully screened by ICS to provide a caring, comfortable environment in which students can improve their academic and language skills while learning first-hand the culture of the northwest region of the United States. The family will provide a home away from home for the summer school students throughout the month of July.
The Homestay allows for the student to become an active community member by the virtue of living with a local family. The rewards for this type of living arrangement are both cultural and academic. Being that the student is an extended family member gives the student the opportunity to experience first-hand what life in America is all about.
The Homestay provides for similar amenities as the visiting international student currently enjoys in their own country. Most students will have their own private, furnished room with a bed, desk/table, chest of drawers, and a shared bath. Many Host Families will have children at or around the same age as the visiting international student. All Homestays will include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most Homestay families have internet access via DSL or some other high-speed connection.
Information and Fee Schedule
To obtain specific information about the International Summer Camps and the tuition and fee schedule please contact the International Community School by completing the Online Registration form. Merit Scholarship information and application form available upon request.
Arrival into Oregon
The student will be met at Portland International Airport (PDX) by a representative of ICS and transported directly to their Homestay family. Afterwards, all students will be taken to ICS to meet the staff, tour the school, have a brief presentation, and finally take a walking tour of the community.
The Host Family
The Host Family welcomes the student as an extended family member. ICS trains each Host Family in the cultural differences of their visiting Homestay Student, and each Homestay Family receives instruction, guidance, and assistance. This is done to assist in the transition of both the student and the family and make the Homestay a success.
Our Homestay Families reflect the diversity of this small northwest community and includes couples with children, couples without children, and single parents. ICS personally screens and interviews all Homestay Hosts, and determines that their living arrangements are to our standards before placing a student in a Homestay environment.
Questions and Answers
Q: Are there scholarships available for the International Programs?
A: Yes, scholarships will be awarded based on merit. Information and details available upon request.
Q: When does the International Camp begin?
A: The International Camp Program are short-term camps providing rigorous academic, English language, and cultural experiences that may be attended from one week to three months in duration. Enrollment in these camps may be at any time from September 1 through June 15.
Q: Will I receive any information about the Homestay Family?
A: Yes, you will receive biographical information about the Homestay Family and a comprehensive brochure entitled: The Essential Guide for Homestay Students in North America.
The biographical information will give you a brief outline of the family including their hobbies and interests. In addition, the Homestay Family will correspond with you via email prior to the arrival of your son or daughter. This will allow you to become aquatinted with the Host Family and ask questions or provide information that will be helpful in making your child's stay a rewarding experience.
The Essential Guide offers students information about their Homestay experience and will be a useful resource that they can treasure for the rest of their lives. The 60-page booklet is easy to read and full of useful tips and ideas. It covers everything from life with a Host Family to how to manage everyday necessities.
Q: What do I need to do to enroll my child in the program?
A: Read the Application Process Form and then register your child either on-line or by mailing the form to ICS. Once their application has been completed and their admission has been approved by ICS you will be notified by ICS of your child's acceptance into the program.
Q: Does my child have responsibilities?
A: Host Students should know that this program is not a vacation or a tour, but an academic Homestay that requires work and effort that will result in a profound learning experience. Being that one of the main cultural advantages of Homestays is being an extended family member students are expected to help out with normal family chores such as keeping their room clean, helping with caring for animals, and general domestic upkeep required of any family member.
Q: Do Host Students need money while staying with the Host Family?
A: All Host Students need to have their own spending money, provided by their parents. The students are responsible for their own phone calls and non-structured recreation such as movies, bowling, and McDonalds.
Q: What if my child gets sick?
A: There are state-of-the-art medical facilities in McMinnville. In addition to these facilities the city of Portland is within easy reach and has every medical facility necessary for any medical emergency.
Q: Does my son / daughter need to have their own medical insurance?
A: Yes, all students need to provide their own international medical insurance and be able to provide proof of this insurance prior to departing their home country. Medical insurance through the company US Campus, www.uscampus.com, or a similar provider have easy and affordable medical insurance plans.
Q: What happens if the placement doesn't work out?
A: If a student and host family have a misunderstanding, ICS will provide counsel, support, and guidance. If a Host Family has an insurmountable difficulty or an unexpected change in family life, ICS will arrange for another Homestay placement for the student. If the situation necessitates that the student needs to go home then the cost of the airline ticket will be the sole responsibility of the student's parents.
Q: How old are the students who participate?
A: Students need to be between the ages of 8 and 15 prior to entering the U.S.
Q: What responsibilities do Host Families have?
A: Host Families provide students with meals, a place to sleep and study, and a warm supportive family environment. Private rooms are not required on approval of ICS directors.
Q: Do I need to secure a visa for my trip to the USA?
A: All U.S. Passport holder may travel to and from the US without a visa. All non-U.S. visitors who enter the U.S. need a visa prior to entering the U.S..
Students who will be enrolling in the International Camp Program may enter the United States on a B Visitors Visa obtainable from the US Embassy or Consulate in their home countries.
It is the responsibility of the parents of the student to secure the proper visa and all other travel
related documents for entry into the United States and the International Student Programs at ICS.
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."
— St. Augustine of Hippo
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than by the ones you did."
— Mark Twain
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