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Background Information
We moved to France 16 years ago and learnt French by integrating into the local community. Since our arrival we have had three children who are now bi-lingual. we realise how having two languages really can help with further education, travel and just enjoying music and film. Being a teacher at the local primary school and college I see how limited the education system is. The children are taught the written language and have little opportunity to express orally. Unfortunately by the time someone leaves school at 18, they then lack the confidence to speak a foreign language.
The project
We felt we could make a difference using a very natural technique and by building a young persons self-confidence so that they feel comfortable having a go at anything, including using the English language. A couple of years ago we tried out our first language camp. It was a success and we now offer three weeks during the summer holidays. Children from the age of 6 to 16 come to us for a weeks holiday. Every day different activities are planned, from sculpture to treasure hunts, climbing trees to making musical instruments or theater sketches to dance routines. The difference a week can make is enormous. The children leave feeling they can speak English without being criticized for their grammar or accent. The children stay in large teepees on our land, which is all part of the big adventure.
We Like to think of the camp as one big family. We are the parents, the volunteers are the big brothers and sisters and the children are the younger siblings. As soon as the children arrive we great them like one of the family and treat them as such all week. (Quite often there are tears at the end of the week, which is heart warming).
Volunteer Work
Our volunteers and ourselves work (play) with the children. We encourage, laugh, play, eat, run and do activities with them. If a volunteer has a particular forte then they might like to share it, (we've had artists, magicians, kung-fu experts and circus trainers all share with the children). This means that one week and year is never the same as another. Which is important to us because it helps the camp stay diverse and exciting, especially to those youngsters that come back year after year.
However there is no special training required. English must be your first language, for perfect communication, and enjoy being an active part of the team. It is not obligatory for any volunteer to join in with every activity either. In fact we recommend that you take time out for yourselves to enjoy the area or just relax. For this reason we set up a rota for all the team players. This is flexible and we try and accommodate everyone's wishes. We ask that you participate every day from Monday to Friday part time (morning or afternoon) for a few hours and that all the team is there to welcome guests and to say goodbye. There are two days off a week, although these may not be consecutive.
Those volunteers on the morning shift are asked to get up around 7.30 am to lay out the breakfast buffet. A rise and shine call is usually made around 7.30 - 8 am to the children. Everyone comes into the outdoor dining room to help themselves to a buffet style breakfast between 8 and 9am.
Once everyone is dressed and ready (around 9 am) our day starts with small vocab games which help build team spirit, volunteers take it in turn each day to do the game. The morning may be a different activity to the afternoon or it might be a whole day out. Those on volunteer duty for the morning will stay on 'duty' until lunchtime, playing with the children or accompanying them on a walk etc.
At midday we provide a hot meal. Then in the afternoon volunteers take over for the planned activity. During the day there are breaks for the volunteers to sit and have a drink or 10 minutes to themselves.
The evening meal is again on site, and is a traditionally English meal. In the evening the children are given the option of joining in an activity (often provided by a volunteer) or they can enjoy 'downtime' and just relax.
Twice a week we have a day out to an activity park where we split into small groups and take the role of supervision whilst everyone enjoys water skiing, luge, canoeing, zip lines, mountain biking, trampoline or mini golf. For these days we take a picnic lunch and eat at the park. Sometimes the children and volunteers have asked to prepare a meal - our menu is fairly flexible and can accommodate changes like this. If you have any creative ideas we'd love to hear them. From the first day we start preparing a little show, the content is up to the team (volunteers and children), for the parents on Saturday morning. This is an opportunity for the children to show how much they've grown and what they have learnt.
After the children have all left, we have a quick tidy up and then its time to relax with a barbecue around the pool. You are completely free until 4pm Sunday when the next group arrives. Tidy up task might be sweeping out the tents, cleaning the showers or washing bedding.
Although we require everyone to work most days, we do not require full time. Either mornings or afternoons. If a whole outing is planned then you will have a whole day off afterwards. During your time off there is plenty to explore. We live in a beautiful, rural area of France and have a car and bicycles at your disposal if they're not being used. We can help you plan visits or even come with you once the children have left on saturday morning.
Why do we ask for a fee? Because we are not a holiday camp for you....our association is profit free. This means we do not take a salary for our involvement and neither do our volunteers. It is hard work and we want to know that you are serious about participation. We have had people turn up and then ask immediately for a few days off mid-week to visit spain, or say that they are too hot to participate but spend all day sunbathing, or refuse to pick up a broom or peel potatoes.....of course its not possible as once the camp starts we need everyone here so take turns in working with the children. The fee that the children pay to come is mostly spent on them during their stay (and of course your involvement comes at quite a cost too, with entrance fees, participation costs as well as good food and transport etc). What is left over we allocate to families that are not affluent and are serious about wanting their child to learn English. They produce the required paperwork and the association can pay in part or in full the childs place. Our camps are truley open to everyone.
We do ask that you contact us before booking flights to make sure we are available to pick you up, but as long as we are given enough notice and are available we can pick up from local airports. If not we will try our best to help arrange transport.
You will be staying with the other volunteers in a teepee. We are in the process of creating a holiday home for volunteers, but cant be sure yet whether it will be ready for this summer. There is a girls tent and a boys tent. Showers, sinks and toilets are on the camp site and shared with the children. If your accommodation is on the campsite we will provide mattresses and bedding, unless you prefer to bring your own. There is a photo of the type of teepee on the campsite, that children and volunteers stay in.
All food and drink during the camp is catered for. We all eat together in an outdoor canteen area. Because of cooking for so many people we are unable to cater for specific dietary needs - vegan are especially hard to incorporate. The meals are traditional English cuisine, pies, sausage and mash etc and puddings - of course! There are the occasional picnics too. Everyone takes turns in helping to serve and clear, with the children helping too. We do have a full time chef to cook the meals. In your application we ask you to mention any food allergies or foods you are unable to eat due to religious or health reasons...You MUST declare this as the menu planning and shopping are all done in advance of your arrival.
With a supermarket to hand if you fancy a chocolate eclair every morning (last year this actually happened) then you have to pay for this yourself. We do run a tight budget for food but you most definitely won't go hungry! If you go on any trips out on your time these are at your own expense.
Arrival and departure is really up to yourselves. We need our volunteers from the beginning of July to the first week in August. We like to meet you a few days before camp kicks off so that you can feel of the place before children arrive and if you want to stay awhile after the camps to discover the area a little this can be arranged prior to your arrival.
WE ARE NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR 2022. REMEMBER TO SEND US YOUR CV AND COVERING LETTER.
Supporter for Language Camp
Help teach children English through different activities including sport, cultural and artistic projects.
$56/week
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