Travel to Camp

For US residents, basic medical coverage starts around $20 and the higher-end coverage is around $100. We recommend "Tin Leg Standard": it is a highly-rated travel insurance policy offering medical insurance with no deductibles.

To buy insurance, begin by filling out this form.

Instructions

Leaving Home: Enter the day on which you will depart for your trip to Homeward Youth Camp.

Returning Home: Enter the day on which you will return home from your trip.

Main Destination: Enter the US.

Country of Residence: Also US. (If you're not living in the US, see instructions international residents below.)

State of Residence: Enter your state.

Citizenship: If you have US citizenship, enter US (even if, e.g., you have dual citizenship). If not, enter your country of citizenship.

Number of Travelers: Select 1 (or more according to the number of campers attending from your family).

Traveler Ages: Enter your current age.

Cancellation Coverage: No; you are just purchasing medical insurance.

First Deposit Date: Enter today.

Payments Left: No. (Since you're not buying trip cancellation insurance, this does not apply.)

Click on "View Search Results".

This will give you different quotes, including one for Tin Leg Standard, probably around $30. Click "Buy Now."

On the right side, under Product, click "View Policy" to see the plan terms: this (somewhat dense) language tells you exactly what you're buying. You can get details at the link "Click here to view the policy certificate."

First, verify your eligibility. Some policies have age restrictions (over 15, for example); others restrict the distance of the travel destination from the traveler's home (more than 100 miles away, for example).

Second, verify that your medical coverage is at least $10,000 with a low deductible. When you are satisfied with the plan you have selected, you can move on to purchase it.

Fill in all the necessary information and pay by credit card. Your insurance information will be emailed to you. You'll now be able to submit the policy information to our staff following an invitation to attend.

First, an important note: You are traveling to visit the U.S., but not to study. (Even though Homeward Youth Camp offers classes and workshops, you will not be enrolled in school or working towards a degree, so your trip is considered tourism. This is a big difference from the perspective of the government; it affects the type of visa you would need as well as health insurance options.)

If there is a trustworthy insurance company in your home country, which offers health insurance in the US, it may be a good choice. However, make sure to verify the terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and requirements of the insurance policy before the purchase. If you would like to buy an insurance from a company based in the US, please read on.

Purchase Instructions for our Recommendation

We recommend the "Safe Travels USA" policy from Trawick International; basic coverage starts around $50 USD and more comprehensive coverage around $90.

Start by going to this website. You should see "Get a Quote" search box.

Enter your destination (United States), home country, and departure and return dates (add an extra day or two, in case you're delayed for some reason).

Click "Next", enter your age and do NOT tick "I am a student" box. Select "No" for trip protection.

After clicking "Get Quotes" you will see a set of quotes for varying levels of coverage. For each of them you can adjust the maximal amount and prefered deductible amount (we suggest $0).

When you have decided on a level of coverage and a deductible amount, click "Buy Now" to begin the process of purchasing coverage. You will then be taken to a form. After you click "continue", you will finally be invited to fill in all the necessary information and pay by credit card. Your insurance information will be emailed to you. You'll now be able to submit the policy information with our staff following an invitation to attend.

(Alternative) Comparison Shopping

If you would like to see a variety of other carriers and options, fill out this form.

You want to choose a policy that covers medical expenses for a single trip; there are many reasonable options. You can select "None" for the travel suppliers: you are purchasing medical coverage, not trip cancellation insurance. Click "Plan info" to see the details of each policy. On the popup window, you can click "Full Certificate" to see the plan terms: this (somewhat dense) language tells you exactly what you're buying. (The website will also walk you through the details after you have selected a policy.) Click "Buy this plan" to view and customize your insurance.

First, verify your eligibility; then look at exactly what costs the plan will cover. Most policies will make you pay the first $250 of any medical expenses yourself ("deductible"). They will then pay 80% of the first $5000, and 100% beyond that, up to a maximum of $50,000. For a few extra dollars, you can decrease the deductible to $100 or $0. (This is optional, but recommended.) A more comprehensive plan will cover 100% of in-network expenses.