Already dreading the long summer school holidays next year?! Then don’t miss out when Camp Adventure comes to Bergen-Hohne Garrison in 2010!

Did your child participate in fun-filled Camp Adventure in the recent summer holidays? If so you will know how this activity packed, value-for-money Garrison based day camp is a great experience for children during the long summer break (and a great opportunity for me-time for parents!). If not, read on to find out the details so you don’t miss out next summer!

The Camp Adventure Slogan

Camp Adventure is an American organisation with excellent expedience of running summer activity programmes for children ages 5 – 10 years in British and USA military bases worldwide. Now in its seventh year in Bergen-Hohne Garrison and in collaboration with the Army Welfare Service (AWS) the camp normally runs for five or six weeks in the Garrison. This is split between Hohne (also for Celle based children) and Fallingbostel. The camp runs in weekly cycles and parents and guardians usually sign their children up for a week (Mon – Fri) but it is no problem if they want to participate for a smaller number of days or even for two or three weeks in a row!

The camp is daily and runs from approx 9:00 to 15:00. For children based in Celle, buses are provided to transport and return children to/from Hohne and transport is provided from the Hohne and Fallingbostel MQ areas whilst the camp is running in that station. The camp counsellors travel on the bus with the children.

A Camp Adventure Group

So, what does the camp involve and how much does it cost? Well, the fully trained counsellor’s are experts in planning safe and fun activities for the children with the right balance between active-outdoors, creative, musical and dance activities. The camp is usually based in a Station school or Youth Centre and the children stay within the grounds participating in nature trails, races, games, drawing, painting and singing. The price is very reasonable at around *15 Euros per day or 60 Euros per week (*prices to be confirmed for 2010).

Lead Counsellor, post graduate university student Maggie Schutte (aka, Miss Lightening!), spoke about her experiences as a Camp Adventure counsellor: “this is my sixth year with Camp Adventure and I really enjoy it. I am currently studying a for Masters Degree in Child, Adult and Family Services training to become a Child Counsellor so this gives me an opportunity to do what I love, working with children. All the counsellors are thoroughly police checked, receive intensive training and are all qualified first aiders and life guards.”

All Camp counsellors are First Aid Trained

Maggie continued: “the Camp is great for children as they make new friends from other classes and schools that they may not normally get the chance to meet and participate in a range of new activities. It is good for parents too as their children are occupied during the long summer holidays!”

The Camp counsellors receive comprehensive training in developing new and fun activities for the children

The Counsellors are brought to Germany by the AWS Community Support team who transport, induct and support the Counsellors throughout their stay and provide the resources for the children’s activities. Camp Adventure compliments the summer activities programme run by the Community Development Workers and assistant youth workers which this year targeted the 11+ age range and ran programmes of activity days out in the community.

If you are interested in booking your child onto Camp Adventure or any of the Community support activity programmes, trips or events in the summer of 2010, dates and prices will be publicised in the Heide Magazine and application forms will be available through the Youth Centres and AWS offices. Keep an eye out!

‘Miss Lightening’ (Maggie Schutte) leads a singing groups which is a common way to end the day so the children go home feeling calm after a busy day!