Supporter for Language Camp

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.