English Camp - Day 1

Over the next few days, I'll try and post a description of each day at English Camp. You can check out the Facebook page for more photos from each day.

Day 1

Team Building Games

The first day of camp started with team meetings. Both the American Team and the Czech Team talked through administrative stuff about the week of camp and then did some team building activities.

The students began to arrive at 13:30 and trickled in until about 15:00. After getting settled in their rooms and greeting all their old friends and meeting new people, the students’ English skills were assessed. How would you like to go to a summer camp and the first thing you do is take a test? I think it’s the students’ least favorite part of the week, but it’s amazing how some of them seem to really enjoy the opportunity to talk with an American or write short essays. I had one student take one look at the writing portion of the test and say, “There’s not enough room! Can I write on the back too?” Crazy kid.

A game in which you have to remember people's names.

After the testing, the Czech team led some icebreaker games and everyone shared in some laughter and humiliation as we forget each other’s names. Toward the end of the games, a summer storm blew in and we ran for cover as the rain and lightning fell from the sky.

The storm passed pretty quickly. Most of the rain fell as we ran to take cover, but a few showers persisted though dinner. By 19:00 it had cleared up, and just in time for the evening talks. The campers were split into 5 or 6 groups based on age and each night they go to a different talk on the camp’s theme. This year, the theme was freedom.

After talks, we gathered for a time of singing and music. At 21:00 (or when the last talk let out), the Czech team led the camp in a creative activity. That first night, it was a game with secret identities and letter writing. I didn’t really understand it and was dead tired, so I slipped off to bed a little early. Probably not the best choice, and I wish I had done more with the game. C’est la vie.