Job Discussion Forums

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

So, this is my first year in FIVE summers that I've decided not to work a summer job. Every year I never really had to but did so for the extra money. Every year they are hellish (but definitely not altogether bad) due to extreme heat wherever I've landed. I've always left with fond memories of some pretty neat-o students though and that's always the best for me (well, and the paycheck too!). So, how about you? Working a summer camp this year? Care to take the poll and elaborate? What are your feelings about them? Are they beneficial to the participants or are they just a dumping off place for parents to forget about their offspring for another 2 or 3 or 4 weeks?

DistantRelative · Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Posts: 367 Location: Shaanxi/Xian

I answered "yes, because otherwise it would be a very boring summer." I chose this answer only because it most accurately reflects my circumstances. I don't really need the money, but on the other hand I don't want to dig into my savings, so I do it partly for the money.
I'm set up to do camps in 2 different cities this summer. One I found here on Dave's. The one for "left behind" children of migrant workers in Changsha. The other, a camp in Mianyang (Sichuan).
I am doing em partly for the money, but more importantly the opportunity to do some traveling while getting paid for it (both camps are providing 2 day outings to from what I understand are some pretty nice places). I also agree with your comments regarding the opportunity to meet some pretty good kids. It's been that way in the past, and I'll hope for the same this year. Summer camps are never too intense. they are short term, and in my opinion, if managed well, can be fun for both teacher, and student.

Zhuhao,

Shawn

latefordinner · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 973

Picked #1 (great way to interact with kids), but could as easily picked #2 or #3. One additional incentive is that I worked at this particular school 2 summers ago and had a great time working and living with some very good people. Thanks, Dialogger, for pointing me in their direction.
We haven't heard yet from the "Me? Never!" crowd, although I'm sure there are a few out there. When we do, I wonder how many will be disgruntled former summer-campers actually saying "Me? Never again!"?

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

I'd have to say no, but during the regular year I come close enough to "Summer Camp" as I dare.

mandarinstudent · Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Posts: 91

I signed up for one this summer in Beijing. This would be my first. It seemed really nice. It has a website and everything, with a nice schedule of what was to be taught. I kept asking the person running the camp when I was going to get the details about the curriculum. A few weeks after we signed the contract he gives me the "details", which were basically class times. He told me that I have to come up with a 30 class curriculum from scratch (no books or materials), but on their website it looks like the school comes up with the curriculum. I wrote him an email telling him that if I was going to design a whole summer camp he would have to pony up some more money because "curriculum design" wasn't in my contract. I talked to other teachers that did summer camps and found out that they just showed up to the camp and taught without having to do any sort of curriculum design. Haven't heard back from the camp yet. Was I out of line? In case he tells me to go to hell, anyone here that is working at a camp know if they need another teacher? Thanks.

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

Out of line ? It was your darn duty ! Good Luck,eh!
Cheers,
William

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

Working up a curriculum - - I'm guessing just classroom lessons, games, activiities and not outside the classroom activities, yes?

The hardest part of summer camps is that you have the same group of kids for at least half a day (3 lessons) and sometimes the whole day. Thank god the last camp I worked at had textbooks, and a planned afternoon activity for each day! Imagine the pressure being lifted with not having to come up with a host of ideas on my own!

But, if you must come up with everything on your own, may I suggest:

1. Find a "spoken english" textbook that is age-appropriate for your kids. You only need to buy one copy for yourself. If it has an accompanying workbook, buy one for yourself and you can make copies of worksheet papers for the kids.

2. Use the book as a base for conversation topics, starters, activity ideas, etc.

3. Think up a half-dozen english-based games (based on topics you've been studying). You can rotate these games throughout the camp time using the different topics and vocabulary: Bingo, "Wheel of Fortune" (using dice), Jeopardy, scrambled words, treasure hunt, I Spy, etc.

4. Bring along a few DVDs (no more than one a week though) - - come on, this is a summer camp not a boot camp!

5. Bring some age-appropriate books, magazines, comics, photographs, etc.

6. For a younger crowd, bring some coloring sheets and a baggie full of crayons.

7. Bring some CDs and lyric sheets.

8. Have the kids write and put on a short play.

9. Bring a camera to take lots and lots of pictures. Make sure the kids can get copies (I'd usually charge 1 yuan per copy, then I'd run down to the local film developing place and copy off whatever they liked). They could make a summer photo album if they want.

The main idea for summer camp is that they are learning a little more English - - able to talk to each other more in English (yeah, right) - - able to interact with a foreigner or two in English - - and most of the activities they do (see above) are English-based. The underlying tone should be fun and more fun and not for you to worry so much about behaviors and discipline. You're only there for a very short time and, no matter what some of the external, uh, crap you have to put up with, your time in your classroom with your students (who you'll probably bond with very closely) should be the most important time!

SheZook · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 187

I did 2 camps last summer. The first paid 6000RMb for 2 weeks and was absolutely ridiculously managed. However, we had a lot of fun - despite the heat - and I'm still in contact with many of the students from that camp.
The second was a volunteer job at a poor country school - it was incredible. The kids were so excited to see us, and while we were there we helped fix up some of the classrooms and repaint their blackboards. Most of the FT's developed writer's cramp on the last day as we had to sign so many certificates for the kids. We'd originally each only signed the certificates for our own classes, but all of the students wanted to have each of signatures on their certificates - it was quite amusing. The village was tiny and very dilapidated but it was in a beautiful area and made for some fantastic photo opportunities. It was a refreshing experience. I'm heading back there this summer, to coordinate their summer program, and hopefully getting a chance to visit some of the other local villages to discuss future programs.
Blah, blah, blah - bleeding heart, I know, I know - but it was something that kept me positive after a bad semester when I was ready to pack it in and head home. I'm glad I stayed - this year has been fantastic, and I'm looking forward to a few more.

englishgibson · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 4345

didn't take part in that poll ... teachers should know that summer camps might not be "teaching jobs" Wink

peace to all campers, happy campers as well as summer campers
and
cheers and beers to all hard working FTs in this lovely country that has invited us "the experts on English" Very Happy

InTime · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 1676 Location: CHINA-at-large

I just arrived today in Hunan to develop the program of an English Camp/year-round English Learning Community
See www.redhorselake.com.cn)

Yes...I'm getting paid for Curriculum Design. The place is lakeside, with swimming pool and all sorts of physical activities, taught in English (TPR)...as well as Simulation Centers---Police Station, Airport Immigration Officials, etc. . Having been in several previous Summer Camps which were non-designed, I am eager to be part of something which doesn't give me:
*frustration
*guilty conscience

We are going to recruit several students who are involved in Expressive Arts activities in thier high schools, such as Dance, Drama, Singing. This will help cultivate an expressive learning community. I'm the Move Magic specialist, specializing in movie segment-based Role Plays. We'll develop Communication Gap activities for small groups of students to be detectives and find out "whodunit: etc.

For more INFO, PM me.

tofit · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Posts: 47

Yeah RHL is definately a hot project...

I just spent the week ordering equipment for my hamburger shop. Today I designed the floor plan to remodel the building... Judging by how fast these construction workers are, it should only take a day or two to get it finished.

I met the college students who came out to paint the pictures on the walls. You may get a chance to see them if you stop dancing with those chicks in Changsha and get come back to RHL.
The boss brought out two hot dancers from Changde. (sp?) They had dinner with us, and stayed the night.

The only complaint I have is that I'm the first foreigner here and I'm stuck with the small room when even Tommy the dwarf has a big one...
Well, I know not every foreigner will be able to get a big room. I'm pretty much their test to see how to make it suitable. Its basically a 2 bed dorm room, with one bathroom. The only way it would work is to take out one bed and put in a closet for the clothes. I picked it first because of the balcony view, the bigger apartments have a balcony but its not facing the lake.