The complete formal name of the program in Chinese is the "Overseas Chinese Youth Language Training and Study Tour to the ROC." Established in 1967, the purpose was to give overseas Chinese youth an opportunity to come in contact with and study Chinese language and culture.
美加營的全名是「海外青年暑期返國研習團」，民國五十六年成立，目的就在提供海外華僑子弟一個接觸、學習中國語言與文化的機會。