Best SIM Card For Summer Camp Counselors
Travelling to the USA to work as a summer camp counselor involves a lot of preparation and work, and one of the things that you must tick off the list before travelling to America is finding yourself a reliable US SIM Card that can be used throughout the summer.
While there are many options on the market, the easiest, fastest and cheapest option for international summer camp counselors to use is undoubtedly Mint Mobile.
Mint Mobile offers monthly data plans that can be topped up or cancelled (no contracts to be tied down to once you leave the US) at the click of a button.
In this article we outline the different data packages Mint Mobile offers (including e-SIM), how to order your SIM Card, the best ways to pay for your US SIM card, and even some handy little tips for using your Mint Mobile SIM Card.
So, let’s dive into: Best US SIM Card for Summer Camp Counselors
Disclaimer - this blog post contains affiliate links where we can earn a commission if you make a purchase through them (at no extra cost to you).
What is Mint Mobile?
Launched in 2016, Mint Mobile provides affordable mobile phone plans that operate on the T-Mobile network throughout the US.
Owned by Ryan Reynolds, the thing that sets Mint Mobile apart (particularly for summer camp counselors), is their affordable, low-cost, no-contract plans sold in multi-month packages.
Mobile Data Packages offered by Mint Mobile for Summer Camp Counselors
As we’ve already mentioned, Mint Mobile offers several different low-cost, no-contract plans that are ideally suited for international camp counselors travelling to the US to work and travel for a summer.
The Mint Mobile data packages you can choose from are 5GG/10GB/15GB/Unlimited data for a month, and you can buy this package for a minimum of 3 months - which is usually enough time to cover working and travelling in the US. After the 3 months, you’ll be asked whether you want to extend your data package, and if you’re home by this point, you can simply say no.
As well as data packages, Mint Mobile also offers something else that is very handy for international summer camp counselors. You can buy an e-SIM package, meaning you don’t have to get your SIM Card shipped to your camp and wait until you arrive before having access to it.
How Much are the Data Plans?
Mint Mobile has a brilliant ‘New Customers’ offer that is ideally suited for summer camp counselors who have never used Mint before and are only looking for a short-term SIM Card package to use while working and travelling in the USA.
The new customer offer lets you buy a SIM Card/Data package for 3 months at the cheapest possible price.
While these prices can vary, in general, here is what you should expect to pay:
5GB Data - $15/month or $45 for 3 months
10GB Data - $20/month or $60 for 3 months
15GB Data - $25/month or $75 for 3 months
Unlimited Data - $30/month or $90 for 3 months
You can see a more detailed explanation of their SIM Card Plans on their website, or simply look at the table below to get a better understanding of how Mint Mobile is the best SIM Card option for summer camp counselors.
Data Plans offered by Mint Mobile - The ‘Intro’ offer is the best one for international summer camp counselors
How to Check if you will get Data at your Summer Camp?
Mint Mobile has a convenient ‘Coverage Checker’ feature on their website. It is super simple to use and gives you the peace of mind of knowing you’ll have fast, reliable data at your camp.
You simply use the coverage checker by inputting your camp ZIP Code into the search box, and it will provide you with the relative strength of the signal at the summer camp you’ll be working at.
As you can see in this example below, Mint Mobile offers full 5G Coverage at Timber Lake West, the summer camp we work at in Upstate New York.
Mint Mobile Coverage Checker - Timber Lake West Camp has full 5G coverage
Phone Compatibility for Mint Mobile
Once you have checked that a Mint Mobile SIM Card will be able to provide adequate coverage at your camp, the next thing to double-check is that your phone is compatible with a Mint Mobile SIM Card/e-SIM.
To do this, simply head to the ‘Phone Compatibility’ section on their website and search for the make and model of your phone. Thankfully, most modern phones are compatible with an e-SIM/SIM Card with Mint Mobile.
Tips for Paying for a Mint Mobile Package from Abroad
Unlike paying for anything else online, you may encounter some hiccups along the way when paying for a Mint Mobile Package from abroad. Don’t worry, though, it is definitely worth the little extra effort.
With that being said, here are our tips for buying a Mint Mobile SIM Package as an international summer camp counselor:
Always put the Billing Address/Delivery Address as your Camp Address (including US ZIP Code) because Mint Mobile only accepts US addresses
If you can’t pay by card for some reason, clear all your browser history, then try again. Make sure you adhere to the rest of the tips listed here
Alternatively, there are never issues when you pay via PayPal or Apple Pay. If you have/use PayPal, this is definitely the easiest option.
If you use a VPN to watch TV shows from abroad, then quickly set your VPN to the USA and then providing you input a US Camp Address, then you will be absolutely fine.
If all else fails, try all of these tips again but using a completely different browser (Safari, Chrome etc.) or a different device (Laptop, Mobile, Tablet etc.).
The feeling you will get once you’ve got your Best SIM card for Summer Camp Counselors
Frequently Asked Questions about SIM cards for Summer Camp Counselors
Can you keep your own number?
Yes you are able to keep your International Phone number, but only If you get a Mint Mobile e-SIM. With the e-SIM, you can go into your phone settings and simply activate/deactivate whichever SIM you want to use.
What this means is that you can have your physical international phone still in your phone, while using your e-SIM to get data and calls in the US.
How do you activate your SIM Card?
Activation of your Mint Mobile SIM Card is super simple. If you opt to buy a Physical SIM Card and get it delivered to camp, then you will just follow the instructions in the package that the SIM Card is provided in.
If you choose the e-SIM option (which we definitely recommend, by the way), then it’s easiest just to download the Mint Mobile app, once you’ve bought the e-SIM online and follow the instructions from there. You can also read the ‘Activation instructions’ on the website to help you with the whole process too.
How long after purchase can I activate the SIM Card?
You have 45 days after buying the SIM Card in order to activate it. This is particularly handy for summer camp counselors because you can buy the SIM Card, and then choose to activate the data plan at the airport (either in your home country, or at the airport once you land in the US).
What should I do if I keep getting the message ‘No Shipping Address entered’?
This is a common question from camp counselors looking to get a SIM Card with Mint. The easiest thing to do is to just refresh the page and start again from the beginning of the process. If this still doesn’t fix the problem, then clear your browser history and start again.
Getting a SIM card for your time in the US is particularly helpful for those looking for travel options after camp.
If you want to feel even more prepared for this summer then we suggest reading our summer camp counselor packing list and our list of handy tips for being a great summer camp counselor.
There we have it, folks, a conclusive round-up of how Mint Mobile is the Best SIM Card for Summer Camp Counselors.
We hope you found this article useful and that it cleared up any questions or concerns you may have about buying a SIM Card while working as a summer camp counselor this year.
