Hi, can you introduce yourself a little bit? What is your role in the BERLITZ Summer Kids Camp?
Hi! My name is Caroline, I was born in Sydney, Australia, I'm in my 25th year teaching at Berlitz (WOW) and I've been doing kids camps for 13 years now. Every year I go as a Camp leader – or camp leader which means I figure out what will be taught, the program, games, competitions and so.
What was it like this year (summer 2023)?
This year was very nice, we had such a great time, the weather was beautiful ... the kids were good - they didn't misbehave ... a lot (laughs). We really like the place in Brezany, the facilities are great and the chef takes perfect care of us. This year the theme was Around the World by Jules Verne, so we travelled a lot,😊 we learned the continents of the earth etc...
How does a day at camp normally go?
There is a kind of difference between the first day and a normal day. On the first day, the parents bring the children, then they do paperwork and accommodation takes place and our tutors – all native speakers sort the children into "classes" according to their language proficiency thanks to a short cheerful conversation. Then there is a snack and in the afternoon, again, there is a team assignment, where (as opposed to classes) the team is as mixed as possible in age and level for English.
A normal day then has the following schedule:
- 8.00 - 8.45: Breakfast
- 9.00 -10.30: English playtime with a native speaker
- 10.30 -11.00: Snack
- 11.00 -12.30: English with a native speaker
- 12.30 - 13.30: Lunch
- 13.30 - 14.30: Siesta
- 14.30: Room inspection (rewards)
- 14.40 - 15.30: Team game
- 15.30 - 16.00: Snack
- 16.00 - 18.00: Afternoon themed activity
- 18.00 - 18.45: Dinner
- 19.00 And then free supervised fun 😊(we play ball games, English board games and other activities, all with tutors)
- 21.00: Sleeptime for younger children
- 22.00: Sleeptime for older children's dinner
Of course, we approach children according to their individual needs, so this schedule is more of a skeleton that we adapt to situations. I would also like to emphasize that the lessons are not only in the morning, but in a conversational way throughout the day.
Once a term we take the children on a day trip, hiking, to the aquapark, this year we went to the mini-zoo and also to mini-golf in Plasy.
Why do you think you should choose Berlitz Kids summer camp?
Because our main goal is for kids to have fun. Because kids are coming back till their adulthood. Because they are learning with us and having fun at the same time , so they don't even know they are learning (laughs). Because we are teaching by using the Berlitz method with native speakers, where the children are completely immersed in English and within a week you can see the progress, where the child starts to think and express themselves in English much more confidently than when they started. For the September, it's a lovely preparation for school to further their education. Because we go to beautiful places. Because the tutors and the nurses go and it's actually organised completely by people who see the point in it and really enjoy it. I really enjoy it - I look after every child as my own for that week because actually they are mine during that week (laughs). And then when we go home on Saturday after the week we spend together , there's a tear from each side because it's gone by so fast.
That's beautiful. And what do you have in store for the kids in 2024?
For 2024, we're preparing a SHOWTIME theme. We're currently sitting on it and conceptualizing it, but the idea is that it will be all about reality shows, competitions, ….😊 So in one week, kids will try cooking like Masterchef, show their talent in our BERLITZ is looking for talent show, complete challenges in Fortress Berlitz Boyard and lots of other fun! Together with our native English speakers, it's sure to be another great week of games, fun and adventure!
And in 2024 we have some great NEWS: will have TWO dates and a NEW LOCATION for the camps : we are so excited!
