International Camps Network

I am an intelligent, hardworking and self driven individual. Dedicating my sled to the work I do. I won't let you down if you entrust me with your job. I have experience with handling students and clients In a a wide number of sports activities. I have a Diploma in Sports Management that enriches me with more resources in the sports world.

I’m a huge fan of camping and I’ve done this for a long time, but it was my first time in Europe and I think it was an amazing and affordable experience! I had a very good time and got to learn many things and meet some amazing people. Can’t wait to go back!

Coming back to camp as a returnee is such a cool thing, cause you already know how everything works but it still surprises you in a good way. You get to meet new people as well as your friends from the previous years, and you feel more confident in being a role model for the kids. After spending more than three months at camp (in total), I can say that I consider camp people my summer family - you get to create very strong and meaningful bonds. In addition, it's a great way to visit new places around Europe, as you can travel around with friends during your week off. Don't hesitate, just go to camp and you won't regret it. See you there next year!

My summer at camp started off as a big adventure. An adventure to a mysterious place I’d never been to before and where I knew absolutely nobody there. After surviving training week and running some activities by myself, my confidence grew massively. My imagination was free to run wild with the kids’ and I quickly felt like part of a huge camp family. There were some days I had to spring out of bed after having had very little sleep and still show up for the campers. This was hard but it was impossible to not smile in the company of the campers. They were hilariously silly and never failed to make me laugh. I was sincerely heartbroken when I had to leave. In just a few weeks I’d made so many crazy memories and found friends for life.

I went alone from Ireland feeling anxious and over my head but these feelings quickly went away! I had the time of my life and I have no regrets as camp was the best thing I’ve ever done! While it was overwhelming at times I can say I’ve made friends for life :)

Writing these lines thorugh the perspective of time, I've realized that taking that plane alone to Germany was the best decision I could have ever done. I was so overwhelmed by my academic life that I needed something completely different to know how feeling alive looks like. The way Camp can open your eyes and help you in your personal growth is indescriptible. I stayed there for a total of 2 months, in 3 different placements, originally not knowing anyone but in the end feeling like they were part of my family. You get to experience very strong emotions, as many good as bad, and overall you learn more about yourself thanks to all the challenges you need to go through. It's like a world in which you are in a constant interaction with people from everywhere, and together you all create an atomsphere of community that breaks all the walls that different cultures or languages could originally build. Not everything is marvellous, as you also get exhausted of so much people around and so little time for yourself, but it is definatedly worth it. You get to take the lead and to solve problems with the resources you've got, which is such a good skill to cultivate. But you also need to know your limits and give yourself some breaks because if not there must a time in which you explode. That's why form time to time you get a night off, and a week off, that you really need to take advantage of (mostly for resting). The coolest part of all this is that you get to live the experience with fellow teamers of your age (mostly around our 20s), and that makes it much easier becuase you always have a helping hand and you end up with lifelong friendships that are a treasure. Don't think it twice, just join Camp! P.S. The campfires at the end of the day are a blast.

As a returnee, I had just as much this year as I had last year. Camp Europe does an amazing job ensuring that campers AND teamers enjoy their time at camp. I look forward to the 2023 season! If you're on the fence about joining Camp Europe: Do it! Get out of your comfort zone!

Doing this program was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Doing this program gives you so much hands-on knowledge and experience in a wide range of activities so there really is something for everyone, water sports, high ropes, logistics, and pretty much anything else you can think of is what we were doing. One of the highlights of this program for me was meeting and making friends with some amazing people with like-minded interests from all over the world, I'm hoping that these friendships last a lifetime. I wouldn't, however, call the program 'easy', a lot of the time it's challenging and exhausting, you're working long hours, with few breaks, constantly surrounded by other people, and sometimes very little time off. But despite this, the work is so much fun and so rewarding and everyone is in it together. I would 100% recommend this program for anyone who loves the outdoors, pushing their comfort zone, and working with kids. If I were to go back in time I would do the past 6 months all over again.

If you are looking to meet incredible people, travel abroad in Europe, and impact other peoples' lives, I highly recommend working with Camp Europe. I worked with Camp Europe this past summer for about six weeks as an English teacher in Bath, UK, and Walsrode, Germany. The training week in Walsrode was one of the best weeks of my life. I am incredibly thankful to have made such good friend and to have been apart of such a great team. It's extremely fulfilling to work with kids and teens and to do so in such a great community. As for the camp itself, it is a very unique experience. You live in tents, eat camp food in a large dining hall, and enjoy the great outdoors. It makes for a great working environment and encourage teamwork with your peers.

Camp Adventure is a wild summer living in tents, surrounded by people 24/7 and learning to push your comfort zones. It is a lot more work then I was expecting, you 'work' from 7.30am to 11pm at night having only an hour break a day and an evening off every 2 weeks. However, the work is being surrounded by children from all over Europe, playing games and running outdoor activities with them. You really get very little time to yourself, but after embracing living in such a loving community, it's such a joy to spend every minute with your camp family. You really have to go into the summer prepared to sacrifice a lot

Well it was my first time volunteering for such a thing, I enjoyed it so much, found a lot of friendly guides to help me taking first steps becoming a teamer and I knew a lot of friends which I may call friends for life from all around the world. Highly recommend it for everyone and I am pretty sure s/he will enjoy the journey starting from the application phase till he start volunteering.

Camp Adventure is part of my personal growth as an adult, which is why after being a camper for 2 years, I made the decision to become a Counselor and stay for 6 weeks this time around. Obviously, time is worth a lot and you may feel some FOMO when you know that other friends are spending their time on a holiday destination doing whatever they want. But in all honesty, I do not know a single counselor that did not enjoy their time at Camp. The environment surrounding this camp is extremely lively and you will quickly feel included into this little community. The traditions and the way this camp works, whether it's through the program, staff games, running gags, chants and collective challenges is what make it so special and one of the reasons why both staff members and children are returning. As a counselor, you will collect multiple experiences, face different challenges, be obliged that you step out of your comfort zone, but I personally can only recommend people to apply because your growth as a result is absolutely worth it. Your daily life never gets boring, because you can choose different tasks every day, whether it's running morning sports, free sports, arts and crafts, helping out in the kitchen, organising an evening activity and so on. But the most important part of your job is working together with your co-teamers, and of course making sure your group of around 8 children are having a great summer. The most interesting part is trying to find a balance between being their friend and supervisor throughout the 2 weeks. You'll get the chance to develop multiple skills, whether you're giving them first aid, sharing meals with them, taking care of homesickness, creating a group dynamic, bringing them to bed and entertaining them. Both the interactions with children as with your peers are really enriching, because of everyone's different ages, nationalities and interests. and both younger and older persons have life lessons to share. You can also get transferred from one campsite to another, whether it's a language camp in the UK or a sports camp in Germany. I had the chance to obtain placements in 3 different locations, which is a great opportunity to adapt to a new environment, kids from different nationalities, social backgrounds and meet other counselors. I'm already looking forward to next summer to see my friends again, relive good moments, take even more responsibilities and contribute to a great summer for children. I owe this organisation so much and I know it's gonna become an even bigger part of my life than it already is.

My Experience in Camp was a life changing Experience for me, and probably to everyone else. The Integration and the Mixture between the different Cultures whether from the Teams or from the Campers was for me one the best Experiences i’ve ever had so far and i’ll recommend it to anyone who is looking for an amazing, adventurous time with one of the best most friendly, motivated group of people i’ve ever seen

Teaching English at Camp Europe was an extremely rewarding experience. This role is quite diverse and no day will be quite the same as the next. From navigating campers through classroom based lessons with an emphasis on fun and creative projects, to assuming the role of an outdoor adventure instructor and guiding groups through exciting activities, the role is sure to provide many memorable and novel teaching experiences. There is an opportunity to teach at a variety of camp locations throughout Germany and England. Although I was quite apprehensive of leaving the main camp at Walsrode at first, I very quickly began to love journeying to the language camps around Germany. There was certainly something special about preparing a lesson on a terrace overlooking the beaches of the North Sea, or teaching campers nature vocabulary while hiking through the forests of Bavaria. The days could be quite long, but getting to unwind and relax at the camp fires each night with the rest of the camp instructors was often the highlight of the day. I always looked forward to catching up with everyone and meeting new people from all parts of the world, with conversation and laughter often lasting long into the night. While this role could sometimes be challenging and tiring, it was a wonderful experience alongside many new friends that I will remember fondly.

The following is a very sincere text I hope some can relate to. I used to be a camp kid when I was 15, I later became a CIT and eventually a Teamer. Camp has always been a safe place to me where I can get to know myself and other people. A little oasis far away from home where you can stop time for a while. This year I studied abroad and I felt like I was losing myself. People with identity crises tend to think they will connect with their inner-self if they visit an unknown place and explore. I believe that may be a way to do it, but I kindly disagree with the choice. I just wanted to remember what was to feel myself, before Covid, before lockdown, before a lot of changes going around, so I decided to go back to the only place in the world that will always feel like “a constant”; I framed Camp as an “independent variable” in the experiment of life. I thought this would be my last year at camp and I wanted to say goodbye properly, to close a chapter and become the adult they warned me I should become. I got to Camp in the middle of the summer. Same smell, same place, same tents, same forest. New teamers who do not know you and think you are new but you are actually old-school. New objective: get integrated into the team, find your place. Training week. New young and marvelous people who do not know yet what is coming. Feels like we are getting to know each other very fast. Time flies. Music, games, we are big kids in the playground, relaxed, happy and joyful. We know now the rules of the games. Beginners in juniors. Everyday feels more and more as if no other reality exists apart from camp. Has it been 1 week or 1 year? I was wondering if, you brush your teeth before or after breakfast? Nevermind, I’m physically tired but my kids are the best. It took two days until we got to communicate in Gerglish but it was worth it. Mimics help a lot though. Kids go very creative when you listen to them. The Tea Club is just success and A*, who plays chess in the morning, is trying to teach B* some Portugeish. This morning B* told me “bom Dia como está? meu nome é B*”, afterwards I just remember A* yelling “Do NoT RePLY iN SpaNiShhhh! you YOU ARE GOING TO MIX HIS HEAD WITH SPANISHHH”. I love 10 years old people. Hike. When they ask you to go on a hike, you go. That is camp spirit. We were around 30 seniors from 12 to 16 years old plus Teamers. Something beautiful happened. In the beginning, the older boys were in the front, with the map and the compass. “Guiding” the group but very frustrated because the younger kids were “sloooooow”. For 1 day us teamers practice the popular so-cold leissez-faire, because our task was to keep them safe but do not intervene. The next day, after lunch we asked them why they would not ask each other for feedback. I highlighted that some of them were carrying too much weight and being frustrated because the group path was so fast. After a few hours we saw the campers exchanging bags, and making sure the younger ones took part in the decision-making process. It was beautiful. I’m a senior now! There is this kid in my bubble whose friends have already left camp. He is alone now. In the bubble we decided to play an assassins game to create inter-tents-synergies. He had to kill one of the girls in my tent so I told him to get closer to them. At the beach, the girls were sitting around my boy and interviewed him. They asked him who he liked and he answered “her” [the one he had to kill]. A master move. Spoiler alert, she ended up dead and he eventually felt for her. That week I also had the opportunity to watch something amazing: an old-style teamer in action organizing an actual trial for a camper who was late for dinner. The jury was so in. HE IS GUILTY YOUR HONOR! The punishment? Dancing at the Talent Show Let it Go with the brush and becoming the table fairy for a few days. I call that rule of law. I cried every time I had to say goodbye to the kids. At camp I learnt that nothing will ever go exactly as you planned. At camp I learnt to tolerate wasps and the worth of doing an effort. Thanks to camp I could learn to reconnect with myself and got to know a lot of beautiful people from all around the world (special greetings to the German people and Egyptian diaspora. I hope to see you soon). We all share a great summer to remember. Camp used to be a little oasis but eventually felt like home. I thought this would be my last year at camp and that I was getting too old but I do not want that anymore.

This is my second summer volunteering at Camp Adventure in Germany and I will keep coming back as often as possible. I had originally planned to do 4 weeks this year but ended up staying for over two months. I've met so many amazing people from all over the world, learned many invaluable skills, and discovered an entire world of possibilities linked to outdoor education. Working there has been overwhelming and challenging at times but there's nothing like the feeling of community and personal growth. Everyone is there to help and support you while you learn to take on the responsibility of taking care of kids and leading activities outside. Would recommend it to anyone wanting to meet incredible people, work with kids and be outside all day.

I wasn't sure when I got there how am gonna socialize with people, what am gonna do and everything was vague for me but from the first day till the end of my placement I felt like I was home even better, I met awesome people and kids who made the experience the best, going through a lot of different activities and situations that made this summer unique and I hope to be able to meet them again next summer!

Overall, I really enjoyed my stay in camp during the 2022 season. There were a lot of amazing moments, together with the fellow teamers and the kids. It was really great to experience being a teamer and taking care of the kids and organizing and running activities. So, I definitely really enjoyed that part. Thinking of camp there are some things which could be improved in my opinion. At first, when I arrived at my first placement there was no schedule at all and almost every day was planned day by day, once this eventually improved after 2 weeks and full schedules for 2 weeks were made, the quality of the activities improved a lot as the teamers could now plan their activities ahead and could switch among each other. On top of that, I have experienced multiple times that some fellow teamers felt left out as not-so-nice tasks as night owls and cats were consistently disproportionately assigned to certain people while others were completely left out. Also, sometimes the logistics were lacking a bit: food would run out (systematically), items not be supplied sufficiently or schedules for excursions would not be viable from the onset. This was almost always the case when these plans were hastily drawn up, whereas almost all the more carefully planned activities/tasks/schedules would work out great. Therefore, it really felt to me that trying to add planning (and a bit of structure (e.g. 30-45min teamer meetings and not daily 2 - 3 hour long teamer meetings) make a great improvement to the smaller camps. But apart from that, I really feel like camp pushed me out of my comfort zone in a positive way. I got to know a bunch of great people, came to love running activities for the kids and coming up with new ideas to keep them engaged. Therefore, it was a really nice time overall.

I had gained my TEFL certification a year before doing this, but this was my first chance at teaching English as a second language and I am glad it was. The experience was very enjoyable and the kids that came to the English summer camp were eager to learn and develop their skills, they wanted a learning environment more fun and engaging than the regular classroom which we were able to provide and seeing how much they enjoyed the activities and lessons I provided made the experience so much better and built my confidence as a teacher.

I spent the summer working as a teamer for Camp Adventure in different camps across Germany. The job as a teamer was extremely fun and working with kids was so rewarding seeing how much they enjoyed camp as well made it even better, especially when you saw them grow as people in their short time there. I also made friends that will last a lifetime in the people I worked with who made the experience 1000 times better - just always such good vibes, I will forever be in love with camp :))

It was probably the best experience of my life so far. It was an amazing journey of six months with lots of ups and downs. Amazing work environment with beautiful people from all over the world. The Program included every single aspects of being in the outdoors, be it water sports, high ropes (which i personally love the most), working with children from different age groups or just the social life with fellow teamers. Everything here feels like we are in a different world far away from the other world that we live in. There is no judgement of any sorts or no hiding behind masks. You can be whoever you want to be. The variety of programs surprised me the most. It was so much of different programs I got to take part in like Leadership (which was by far the best program camp has), Space camp, senior camp, school trips. Everything was just so overwhelming. Can a bit too much sometimes but with people like the people in camp everything seems so easy. I would not trade this experience for anything else in the world. It was an amazing time for me in the camp and I would love to return to camp always because "It is what it is".

Camp Europe was a great place to get my mind out of the chaos and issues in the world. Working in a place where you only see 500 kids and play soccer, volleyball, swim, dance, and do everything together with them is pure joy. And of course, the amazing camp fires with team members every night after a tiring day is what makes Camp Europe Unique.

Hey, I absolutely enjoyed those 4 weeks, in Walsrode and in Regen. The staff there as a trainee was amazing and your co-teamers were some high quality people. The programs with the kids are fun to run and you have some really enjoyable time when the day with the kids is over. I made some great friends, renew with some I had seen years ago and discovers lots of different people. As a summary (it's really similar with the title) I think I stayed too few weeks. And would have really enjoyed some more!

This year was my first time at “camp adventure” and I already know that I want to return next year. I met incredible people from many parts of the world that I can call friends. This experience also challenged me to use my English like never before and to dare to speak German. Being with the children was also wonderful, since you enjoyed such fun moments with them while you continued to learn and left a positive impact on their summer. In short, this experience is unique and has become a very important moment in my life.

It was easily one of the most difficult summers of my life, but also the most fun! I worked a minimum of 14 or 15 hours a day which was exhausting, but there was just something about the camp life that kept drawing me in. There were undoubtedly a lot of highs and lows, but ultimately it was an experience that I will never forget and I'm already looking forward to going back next year. My friends and family think I'm mad for wanting to do it all again, but until you live the camp life yourself, I'm afraid it's impossible to understand the appeal. I made dozens of new friends from all over the world (a lot of whom I'm still in contact with!) and met hundreds of new kids that I'm proud to say I impacted positively. It really brings you out of your comfort zone and at times you just want to go home again where everything was easy, but it has ultimately made me a better person and for that, I will always be grateful!

That was my first time ever not only as a camp counselor but also as a camper so I had so many worries before going and I didn’t really know what to expect until I arrived there and had the best week ever during the training week. This experience was a life changing one for me because I had to do a ton of activities that brought me out of my comfort zone and made me face my fears and overcome them. Reflecting on the 6 weeks I spent at camp, I learnt about my strengths and capabilities and knew that I was able to do so much more than I expected.

Camp was amazing, one of the best experiences I've had. The training and the weeks I've placed in both Walsrode and Regen were great. Amazing company that both taught and supported me on how to be around kids. Also great job to the directors! However, in Regen there was a sickness where kids were puking for weeks and not much was being done. Either way I remember this summer as a very special one

I just can say it was a memorable time. Met incredible people from all corners of the globe. Practiced amazing activities. Visited great places. It simply was fantastic. Being a role model for children in an international atmosphere helped me, no doubt, to enhance my hard and soft skills alike - Leadership, effective communication, problem solving, creative thinking, nature appreciation and such.

I've been a camp counselor for 2 months. I loved every bit of it, from running activities from the children to bonding with fellow teamers. The interation I had with all the kids made me understand how kids look up to people and the impact we can have on their lives. Without a doubt met a lot of fun teamers from all over the world. Already looking forward for the next year!

The camp is truly a one in a kind experience that you won’t have in any other place. From meeting people from all around the world and making so many friends to the nonstop fun and activities, that’s make your summer special and unforgettable. I personally enjoyed my time a lot and recommend this experience to everyone.

Camp Europe was a great place to meet other international people and form amazing friendships. Working together in smaller teams throughout the day really helped to form a comfortable support system. Having larger team meetings at the beginning and end of the day was also great in creating cohesion and uphold the expectations and work ethic of all Camp Councillors. Overall it was an amazing experience that increased my confidence and ability to lead.

I did the program this year, and for the beginning I asked myself: "why didn't you do it before?". My perception in the interviews I felt a little nervous, but the people have a lot of experience and they give you amazing tools for you. Challenge by choice is a phrase I will never forget and because I never feel alone, always are someone with you, so the support is 100%. I made a very good friends, with a lot of culture and differents attitudes, so, the experience in the program it was different every day...is more interesting and amazing.

I really enjoyed my diplo experience even with the fear of Corona looming over everything. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better place to be during these times. I was surrounded by my amazing diplo family, I had my own room, we all cooked and ate together. I honestly forgot corona existed at times. Our first week of camp was surreal for me. So many new faces. I spent most of my placement teaching English and I loved it! Not only because my kids were great but I also felt we taught each other so much in the short time we had together. The Diplo program has been a great experience for me to grow as a person, make life long friends and see a lot of Germany despite these times.

Life changing for me! One of the best experiences I've ever had. I can only say thanks for the opportunity they gave me to be part of the Camp. It was an intense 6 months of learning, work and happiness. Of course I had difficult and stressful moments too, but in the end only the good memories remain. I hope I can come back one day to see again the great friends I made.

I was very skeptical and did not know what to expect at first. But as soon as we arrived at camp, it was like a whole other world. You could be as weird as you wanted and were made to go out of your comfort zone. Being out of your comfort zone really helped when the kids arrived as you could set an example that we are all here to have fun and there was no one to judge you. For a few weeks, we got to live life without caring much about the "outside world". I am grateful for this opportunity and will always cherish these moments.

Working for Campadventure has been a fulfilling and exciting experience. I worked as a teamer in an adventure camp for kids and teenagers in Germany. Being a teamer means taking care of a group of kids, explain and run the daily outdoor activities with them. Never was there a moment where I felt bored, everything was a challenge for the kids and for me as well. Thanks to a strong community I have always felt supported, also during stressful times, and never left alone. I made really good friends, because the people working for Camp adventure have all something in common- that is, love for nature, for being active and a desire to step-out from the comfort-zone to find your true-self. In Camp you learn to think about life in a more easy and spontaneous way, that is why a lot of flexibility is required from the teamers: everyday is different and you need to be ready to face every kind of situation. Apart from running great outdoor activities like archery, canoe and kayak, raftbuilding , shelter-building, fire-making, high ropes, you get the chance to grow as a person and develop strong bonds with people from all over the globe. Overall I consider myself lucky to have had the chance to join the Campadventure community for the Summer 2021 and hope to be part of it again in the future.

The thing that stands out the most for me, is the amount of fun I had. With the kids, the teamers, the activities, the campfires, and everything in between! It's a difficult job, the days are very long and there is not a lot of free time, it is not for everyone but I had such an amazing time. It is the best opportunity to meet so many different people and make some true friendships. I most definitely want to come back next year!

My title says summer adventure of a lifetime, but camp is so wonderful that you end up getting drawn back year after year! Coming back this year was like being welcomed back home by a wonderfully large family! Whilst overall organisation may not be the strongest at camp they make up for it in wonderful directors who support you with all your worries and queries throughout the summer, creating a incredibly strong and united teamer team who really are there for you whenever you may need it. If you're someone who enjoys the challenge of working outside and in nature with children and a wonderful team of young people and adults then camp is for sure the place for you!

No one expects a great summer after the Pandemic, working outside with a bunch of people you don’t know, no one wants to take that risk. Those persons who jumped out of their comfort zone, those who said yes to the adventure and summer, those who were looking out for themselves and the others, those are heroes. Making great memories for everyone; learning, playing, growing and being ourselves wasn’t easy, keeping in mind the rules we have to follow and keeping in our hearts the emotions that follow us, this is a chaotic combination for a summer, but somehow it is possible, it is possible to be ourselves, to learn and teach, to cry and laugh, to enjoy and respect. This summer wasn’t easy, but it was 100% Amazing

I found Camp Adventure when I was bored at work and looking for ways I could travel. I got to Europe for the first time ever two months later and I never want to leave now. I did not know what to expect when I first come but now I have met so many like-minded people and made so many memories with the campers throughout the summer. I extended my placement for two extra months after the regular season was over because I did not want to stop. Already looking forward to camp next year!

I went to Camp Adventure to be a Teamer but to my surprised, I found unique individuals that I called my Family. They help me grow as a better person and see things in a good and different perspective.

I had a great time and really look forward to returning next year! I met amazing people and really enjoyed the Camp Europe experience. If you look for opportunities to meet new people and experience new things -- This is for you. Bavaria was beautiful and can't believe I saw such picture-perfect views in real life.

I really enjoyed my diplo experience even with the fear of Corona looming over everything. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better place to be during these times. I was surrounded by my amazing diplo family, I had my own room, we all cooked and ate together. I honestly forgot corona existed at times. Our first week of camp was surreal for me. So many new faces. I spent most of my placement teaching English and I loved it! Not only because my kids were great but I also felt we taught each other so much in the short time we had together. The Diplo program has been a great experience for me to grow as a person, make life long friends and see a lot of Germany despite these times.

The 2020 Diplo program at Camp Adventure was truly a unique and amazing experience for me. Despite the fact that Corona was shutting down other camps and businesses around the world, we were still able to live and complete our training in our little camp community tucked away in the farmland of Northern Germany. Camp really felt like home after a short time of being there, knowing we were guaranteed room and board and work even if the summer season was canceled, which thankfully it was not. The other diplos became family, and we all worked together so well. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to train and work abroad in a program where I learned so many different skills, experienced a new culture, and even learned a new language. I highly recommend the program!

Although I loved the work at camp, I left early because I highly disagree with the working conditions of camp counsellors, namely the 16 hour working days with only one evening off every two weeks. I'm all for volunteers as a work force (when there is mutual benefit involved), but given that it would be illegal to have paid employees work so many hours per week, I can't help but feel that the volunteer camp counsellors are being exploited. The effects of this were seen in the welfare of the counsellors - everyone was exhausted and a large majority ill, not to mention stressed. I also feel that the quality of the activities provided to the kids was affected by the working conditions of the counsellors, as counsellors didn't have sufficient (or often any) time to prepare activities. There was large discontent amongst the counsellors at my camp, which lead to quite a few of us leaving early. Some expressed feeling obliged to stay at least 4 weeks in order to get back their deposit. Others who stayed said they did it out of commradery with their co-workers. Camp was fun and stimulating and I met some wonderful people, but given that there are plenty of camps out there with decent working conditions, I would not recommend anyone to this particular camp experience.

Teaching English at Walsrode was not the easiest task. It is very hard to motivate the kids to do english when all of their friends are doing fun activities! It was the luck of the draw, sometimes (not often) we got a bunch of kids who wanted to learn and be there but most of the time they were so negative about the classes and to try and change their mindsets was challenging and discouraging. The lessons at Walsrode need to be disguised as lessons so that the kids can feel like they are at camp and not in the classroom. I think the training week could focus more on how to create that space. It is also too long, I would suggest to have it as only an XXL at Walsrode.

My 10 weeks at camp was superabundant fun, to say the least. Thoroughly enjoyed my time with kids, teens and teamers from around the world. Was enthralled by the multiplicity of cultural milieus which always gave way for exciting activities and discussions. My only disappointment is the lack of learning opportunities for children from a purely outdoor and adventure point of view. But then again, not many campers were keen on sweating it out and challenging themselves even when presented with the opportunity of a long hike or just some sport under the sun. So I guess, it's not a drawback but an achievement from an organizational perspective to keep everybody engaged by providing entertaining and amusing alternatives. Kudos to directors (especially Ciaran) and destination managers, who showed exemplary skills of adaptability and made the best out of dysfunctional situations. Would certainly like to work the Camp Adventure again if time allows.

My summer at Camp Adventure was the best one yet! I was able to meet friends from all over the world and do a job that I love. It was an incredible experience and one that I will cherish until the end of time!!

I loved the Camp atmosphere, meaning the way people at camp interact with each other, I was also amazed to see what people can create together, I enjoyed to act goofy and part take in many crazy games and to appreciate the small things of life> a smile, a meal, a good rest, a refreshing jump into the lake, the intense smell of pine trees, etc. I loved to see the sparkle in the children's eyes, when they enjoyed an activity. That's the most honest feedback you can get for your work. Harry Potter and villain theme day was a day to never forget.

Last spring was searching for an adventure, for something more to life than a 9-5 job and felt that working outdoors with other people would be more fulfilling. I have been babysitting for almost 10 years and also I attended the same summer camp (in the USA) from age 4-13 and then I became a counselor for 3 years. On the other hand, I have very limited experience traveling or working abroad. It was time to change that! So I found campsCanada.co and became the Arts&Crafts director where I got to offer my input, but for sure I got back something that can not be taught. I grew up as a person and got the opportunity to enrich my perspectives of life. To contribute to such a great program, at a beautiful location with like-minded people was definitively a life time experience and so I am happy I decided to give it a try.

My experience in Canada lat summer definitively has contributed a lot to my development as an integration aide and rowing coach. Thanks to my 8 week placement in Ontario I managed to develop stronger skills applicable to working with children and youth. I believe this experience coupled with my passion for sports and music and easy going but hard working personality helped me to perform the daily tasks which can sometimes be demanding physically and emotionally. Specially since I was designated to a Special Needs Camp where I had to cater for special needs kids from primary school to year 9 in many different situations. I guess my favourite part of it all was when I was acting as the rowing coach.

I am an elementary school teacher back home, and I truly enjoy spending time with children. That is why during the summer time I always look for opportunities that allow me to keep doing what I like the most, at the same time that I can get that little adventure sensation of going beyond your own comfort zone while traveling and meeting people from other cultural backgrounds. During my placement in Canada I got to experience a different, yet equally effective outlook for teaching. The outgoing and enthusiastic atmosphere at camp makes possible a sometimes hard to achieve combination> Recreational education, where creativity plays an important role. Without a doubt, one of the most enjoyable moments was when it was time to gather around the camp fire, someone would take out the guitar and we would sing along.

I guess it can be all resumed as an Enthusiastic and Adventurous Experience, full of passion for the outdoors. I really enjoyed the summer-time like a child, working by playing with other children. I have done this experiential learning program in Canada twice now. First in Vancouver working as an English Language Teacher & Counselor at a language camp, and last year in Toronto as a Program Area Director. I am thinking of going back again next year as I believe that I am now well suited to working for a longer season, and as I am seriously considering of taking a gap year. I guess one of the aspects I enjoy the most is that each day at camp is an action packed day where you are able to literally feel the energy and positive vibe all around, as the environment is created by similarly motivated people who are committed to providing an unforgettable and meaningful camp experience for the young people attending Camp. For many, the experience of a life time!

I loved to participate with Camps Canada as it is a highly motivated program, full of passion about working with young people, travel and the outdoors. I am an occupational therapy student with a great interest in experiential learning and facilitating others to meet their potential in all areas of life. I value the benefit of ‘occupation’ or meaningful activity for individuals to enhance their health and well-being. I feel that this experience has highly contributed valuable aspects for my personal and professional development, and kept me motivated while assisting young campers to meet their goals. From making new friends, trying new sports and building confidence and for some, speaking a new language. I can assure that in such a great camp atmosphere, everyone feels included and has a positive experience because it turns people into an enthusiastic, empathetic general mood This role certainly involves communication to overcome challenges organizing day-to-day events But also keeping in mind at all times the importance of being someone who will listen to campers who may be feeling homesick or having other concerns at camp. I completed the six months placement and was possible to get credits as part of my undergraduate degree The Senior staff members demonstrated to be flexible and maintain a professional behaviour at all times and did a great job with problem solving and interpersonal skills. I enjoyed learning all those new group dynamics and community building games, and for sure I learned a lot through the processes involved in running and guiding a group of people. I won´t deny that at some points, is necessary to work under pressure as residential camps run a full schedule program, from dawn to dusk and beyond! So it can be quite tiring.

Taking part in Camps Canada I believe has given me the necessary skills to be a great camp counselor and role model. After a 30 days placement, I enjoyed being a camp counselor, a music teacher and I got to improve my english language skills to a point where I really got to relate to the rest of the team with whom we created an awesome atmosphere for the campers and to our own delight! I consider that my biggest challenge was at the same time the most rewarding experiences, as sometimes is the hardest job having to deal with homesick junior campers, but to provide them with an ear that listens and a little piece of advice can flip things around.