Korean Job Discussion Forums

kayteemk · Joined: 24 Apr 2007

Hey guys,

I am working at a SMOE school and was informed today that I would likely be doing two English camps. I believe one is the district one and there is another sleep away camp just for my school. I do not have my contract with me right now otherwise I would be scouring it at this moment, but I thought we were contracted for one winter camp and one summer camp. I would not mind teaching extra classes in the winter here at my school (and then being free to go home at the end of the day), but I am pretty sure a month to a month and a half of sleeping out in BFE and being a full time babysitter would drive me bonkers. Anyone had this problem and successfully manuevered their way out of it?

nomad-ish · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 7:48 pm Post subject:

i'm pretty sure smoe schools aren't contracted for just 1 summer and 1 winter camp. during the school vacation time, u can still be asked to teach 22 hrs/wk.
how long is yr sleep-over camp? i doubt it'll be for very long, and u'll probably get paid extra for it (since it's overnight..). if u really don't want to do it, have u tried simply saying to them that u prefer not to go?
my school wanted me to do a summer overnight camp, but i said i'd rather stay in my own apartment and would teach another camp at my school. they let me do that instead

kayteemk · Joined: 24 Apr 2007

Yeah...since no one really knows anything at this point and likely will not know for several more weeks, this is just something that my co-teacher happened to mention to me and I kindly objected based on the fact that it would leave me with basically no vacation time. If it comes down to it, I think I am going to just be straight with them and tell them I will willingly teach my 22 hours a week, because I will, but I simply cannot do a 2nd sleepaway camp. Especially for two whole weeks, which is what I believe she said it would be.

Thanks!

lowpo · Joined: 01 Mar 2007

kayteemk · Joined: 24 Apr 2007

OUCH! I guess a month in a dormitory just seemed a little cruel and unusual. But, if other people are being asked to do the same thing, it is not really all that unusual, I guess.

I hope you make some good money there at least. I'm going to continue to explore other options myself.

pest2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada

For my contract (standard epik), I had to do any camps for up to 22 hours per week, but of course you can use your vacation time during summer or winter break. One strategy to get out of doing one of the camps would be to demand to take your vacation during one of the 2 camps... you are, according to your contract, supposed to take your vacation at that time, camp or no camp.

Also, for the overnight camp, you dont HAVE to it because the 'overnight' part of it certain implies an excess of weekly teaching hours beyond your requirement. Just refuse to go and stay overnight and/or work away from home more than 8 hours in a given day....

halfmanhalfbiscuit · Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

Just tell them no.They can't pimp you out as a little winter earner.

Besides which,you're contracted to work at your school location and would need to get a second location registered with Immi.

Don't let them try to tell "It's OK".It sounds like someone's hare brained scheme and the students will be paying through the nose straight into someone's pocket.

wings · Joined: 09 Nov 2006

You have the right to say no to the sleep away camp as it is outside your regular work hours. They can't make you do it. But if you do it you will get paid extra and have 5 more days tacked onto your vacation.