Labor Laws broken?

Two of our children (who are 20 and 24 year old college students) are working as instructors at a summer camp, which is run by a National Organization.

Prior to beginning their jobs, they had to sign contracts, which stated the dates they would be working from/to, and how much pay they would be given for working that 8 week period. They were told in the contract that if they quit, they would forfeit their pay, as the camp would have to be compensated for having to hire/train another instructor to take their places.

Upon arrival, they were told that they would be expected to begin work at 6:30am, and be "on duty" until 10 or 11pm, every night. They received a 12-hour break between the leaving of one set of campers at noon on Saturday and the arrival of the next set at noon on Sunday. Other than that, they were working non-stop, on a strict schedule.

After the first two weeks, when they received their first paychecks, they realized that they were working in excess of 100 hours a week, yet getting paid the equivalent of about $2.20/hour, with no overtime pay.

Are summer camps exempt from minimum wage and overtime laws, or should they (and the other instructors) file a complaint for back wages?

This seems a little like slave labor.

[Postman]

Please, give the name of the organization. As parents we are concerned that organizations are first protecting our children, secondly deliverling the services advertised, and the quality of, for which were paid.

I'd rather not give the identifying information of the organization right now.

I need to know whether a summer camp, run by a major national organization can get away with requiring these kinds of hours, without proper compensation?

What did the contracts say as to work hours etc.?

Didn't specify work hours. Just the dates, and the amount to be paid for doing the job specified in the contract, during those dates.

That's why I'm asking the questions. The kids signed a contract agreeing to work during that 8 week time period, doing a specific job. Should they be happy they at least got 6 hours to sleep at night? Or do the labor laws still apply, and proper compensation for hours worked should still be adhered to?

[Postman]

If they were denied regular scheduled breaks, that is a violation of federal law.

They cannot be contracted on a per/day price without a definition of the work to be performed and must be paid daily else is Bait and Switch and is Fraud.

If the contract says they are responsible for witholding and SS and COMMERCIAL LIABILITY INSURANCE they are contractors and may sue for damages.

They would have to signed a w-4. And will recieve a 1099

A can of cans of worms, if you get my drift. I think you can find all of this at the STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, sometimes known as Wage and Hour.

If they were referred through a state employment agency, report them.