Camp Europe - Outdoor Programs Specialist Internship

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 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.

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.

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!!