Week 1- Nature Explorers!

 Whoah...

The camp started on the 27th of June, I've missed the first day because I had an exam on that day, after I asked my mentor about the day, he said that it was an introductory day so they went to the nearby forest and played games to get to know each other. I think, I understood at that moment that the very first day is very important for both kids and the teacher.

Second day: The camp gathering started at 8:30 but the program starts at 9:00, I came in a rush at the exact time and saw a huge line of 24 children. This was one of the most crowded camps, we were 2 support teachers and 1 camp-leader who is a very energetic person and keen on nature. We were heading to Charlottenlund area, our first stop was the train station , we were going as a long slimey group :) one of us at the front, other in the middle and one at the back. The reason we were not in the same tempo is that children from 6-12 are allowed to the same camp, however they have different interests, knowledge in nature, so I think it must be hard to plan a camp to be interesting for everyone, but with the help of 3 teachers totally it was easier to manage. So, our first stop was forest- where we had our first snack and had an assignment to build to a shelter from the woods and leaves, the kids were divided by gender. (I think mixing would be a better idea because boys did not focus on the task but they have played clash of clans with their wooden sticks, also, the reason why the camp-leader was not too strict about the assignment is that it was not a school time but the summer camp, where children should be enjoying and learning). Girls did an amazing job ! ( see the picture below)

Our second stop was the beach, where we had out lunch and then most of the kids went to swim with our camp leader, I was playing a volleyball with the ones who left and started to get to know them. One of the things that impressed me that they give the whole responsibility to children for their acts and I think that is very important that the child should be aware of that his/her actions are their own responsibility. That's why it was easier to take them to the sea to swim. each day we were walking around 22.000 steps, so kids were very tired at the end of the day by 16:00. Their parents for so grateful to our camp leader that the kids are out of their energy and sleep at 20:00. :)

Third day: On that day we went to Hareskov forest, where we had our snack and deepen in the forest. We have stopped by some trees and the camp leader ( who is a child psychologist by his profession ) asked the children some questions about their knowledge of the trees and showed us how to make a fire without any lighter and matches, he showed us the amazing tree-birch which is used in many ways, it is even a food source ! So he asked children to find some birch bark and collect it on our way. Our second stop was the center of the forest where we could make a fire in a special are, where we had our marshmallows. However, first he showed children how to start a fire with birch bark and a magnesium fire tool. ( I think camps are really good idea to teach children basic information about daily life, because most of the kids are from wealthy families and most of them even took the public transport for the first time, the approach is very important).

Everyone found a long stick for their marshmallow and we roasted them, many of the kids needed assistant so we helped them. This dat was very tiring too and we had back to school by 15:55.

Fourth day : Children already began to say that they are very tired, but they want to explore more. Today's destination was Aldershvile Castle ruins, we went on exploring and I have understood that the approach is totally different from my country, the children talk like they are grown-ups and the teachers are approaching them like it. I have also found out that it is very essential to calm down the kids by their crisis points like, we had several incidents when kids have fallen our hit by another kid by an accident or on purpose, I have learned from most of the teachers that we should talk to them neither than hugging or trying to calm them down by another things. First thing we are doing is asking " Is everything fine, are you okay" and then if the children answers you and wants to talk about it you start to ask questions or trying to calm down by saying "you are big enough to take responsibility of your own or think again about it" or etc. That is a totally different approach because in our country we never listen to a kid and listening is a very important aspect.

Fifth day: Final day! We went to Deerhavn and Klampenborg beach, Denmark is a very free country in terms of everything. We went to a park where there are deer park and they are used to people and walk freely, we had played there and went to the beach to play some games. This day was a bit easier because kids were tired and it was the last day of the camp. ( During the camp you I have noticed how different kids from different backgrounds and nationalities make friends and how it is pure because on the last day most of the kids were sad and they were saying thank you words to each other, some of them taking each others mail addresses or phone numbers of the parent to continue the connections.)