Together with the vacation, the now nineteenth summer city camp in Dunakeszin ended, where the children guarded by the parents could relax in the Open Water Training Center close to their homes.
As I approach the Open Water Training Center on the Danube, the wind brings pleasant summer noises: cheerful children’s squeals mingle with self-absorbed laughter. The tidy green areas, modern yard toys and beautiful modern building immediately sweep me off my feet. The camp leader, Nikoletta Rákos, comes to me with a kind smile and an open look, and happily guides me around their family camp. The children curiously turn to us from here and there: peeking out of the rest tents, looking up from among the cards, or watching us from the top of the swing. It is immediately apparent that although there are a lot of children, the atmosphere is noticeably calm and contented.
- How can you create such a calm atmosphere among so many children?
- The secret to effectively employing children is a consistent routine and continuous employment, Nikoletta reveals. At the same time, we strive for balance: if someone gets tired, they can rest, read, or change occupations during the day. The camp, which is well shaded by trees, offers a lot of programs for children, which take place in sync throughout the day. Among the craft activities, they can choose from plaster painting, leather decoration, jewelry making, and many other creative pursuits. There are also plenty of sports activities, for example, the soccer tournament and the bouncer game are held throughout the day.
- How is your daily routine? Are you strict?
- After breakfast, the sessions and free play begin, and then this is interrupted by lunch. In the afternoon, more relaxed sessions follow, and then sports and activities resume. Of course, there are also rules that must be followed: it is forbidden to speak badly, throw sand, hurt each other, take other people’s toys, and fight, which may even result in a ban. The teachers’ work is also assisted by community service students, who often return for more than the mandatory fifty hours.
- Does everything take place here or are there programs outside the camp?
- Outside the camp, they take part in two special programs: kite sailing and horse-drawn carriage rides. By the way, these are the two most anticipated programs, but kite sailing requires separate parental consent.
- In addition, invited guests are regular. In addition to the crime prevention performances, the day will be enriched by musical programs such as the concerts of the Kossuth Prize-winning musician and composer Péter Huzella (Kaláka, Magyar Népmesék), as well as the interactive music-dance performances Pompás Mese, as well as the dance production BuliZoo, which is new this year.
- Who can participate and what are the costs of the camp?
- As every year, this year too the camp was realized with the support of the city, because of course it would not be possible to care for the children at such a high level with HUF 12,500 per week. In contrast to the previous practice, a few years ago we had to draw a lower limit at the age of the first grade, and they can no longer come above the sixth grade, there is so much over-registration.
- Finally, let the experiences speak
He rushed to my aid Nóra Andrássy (12), Málna Andrássy (8) and Zsombor Kasza (9). Nóra and Málna are already regular campers, they have been going to the camp for several years. Nóra’s favorite hobby is crafts and she has made many friends. Her sister, Málna, likes horse-drawn carriages and beading the most.
And Zsombor is in his second year. He likes the camp because he meets kind and devoted teachers and children, and he has made friendships outside of school.
Csilla Nagy-Laube
2024-08-13 09:37:35