Summer Camp 2018 – not only tech

Last year our summer camp 2018 was a remarkable leap compared to the previous year.

Above all because we were the two of us running them, planning them and carrying out them: Francesco and I (Valeria).

Tech activities and not only

Kids measured themselves not only with tech activities and building robots, but ours is a 360-degree summer camp.

Building robot in the morning

In the morning the activity took place in our classroom.

Once arrived every kid was given a kit with his/her name and everything they needed to build the working robot he/she took home at the end of the week.

Dreamers were very focused on their own works and at the same time they learnt team working, reverse mentoring and collaboration, all skills we tried to stimulate to the utmost.

There was always someone who had something to teach other ones, also, the building robot kept going on during our tech summer and not only. And all showed their creations proudly to their own parents at the end of the week.

We got two wonderful and wide Tepee tents where we slept all together: Francesco and I and all our Dreamers!

Airbeds and no bed was more comfortable! The little ones – who slept outside alone for the first time – had got Puddu! Him, too, accompanied our tech summer and not only!

Reflection, an important moment

Every day we dedicated an hour to the moment we called “reflection”

A theme was launched, according to Dreamers’ age, ranging from friendship, freedom, fears…

We were in circle and everyone said his/her own opinion and we limited ourselves only asking questions to stimulate discussion and comparison.

The first day only few Dreamers dared to say their own opinion: they were ashamed, they were afraid of being judged, they were not used to talk about emotions or simply they waited for our opinion to express theirs in the same way.

We limited ourselves to stimulate their critical thinking that has never to go on vacation also during the tech Summer and not only!

We made them see that the subject of discussion was on a completely different level compared to the person who expressed the idea.

Sometimes we ourselves also expressed contrasting opinions, showing them that we can discuss and have different ideas, express totally free one’s point of view (only abuse and swearwords were forbidden), but keep going on well.

Other times we helped them with writings or drawings.

There was nothing better for us than seeing them – already on day two – entering into competition to express their own idea and point of view. Or hearing them saying that the subjects were very interesting and they never thought about certain reflections.

In the meantime – without realizing it – they learnt listening to the others, being quite while the others were talking so that others give them space at the right moment. They learnt to have a debate!

Summer Camp 2018 Not only Tech in Alessandria

One of the most beautiful interventions was a girl’s one who said one day: “When you launched the subject «Freedom» I was convinced of having clear idea and know almost everything about freedom.”

“Then I listened to the interventions of other Dreamers and now I have a great confusion in my mind and I don’t know what freedom is anymore, because I realized I never took into consideration a lot of aspects that we faced here today.”

What to say? Maybe…it’s our greatest satisfaction!

Because our goal is not only robotics and game, but is their growth above all, so that they can become fulfilled, satisfied and above all happy adults tomorrow!

Summer Camp 2018: free games at the poolside

Also at the poolside, game was always important: who wanted could play free with some materials we made available – a ball, a rope, swords, creative materials…

We enjoyed ourselves with them and afternoons flew by!

They all were always experts on the score and the teams’ divisions!

They could also play all together and with us, too: one day with plasticine, another one we played dodgeball inside and outside the swimming pool…

In the activities without any material, too, I have to say we were pretty good!

Activities and games planned in the afternoon at summer camp 2018

Every afternoon Dreamers measured themselves with an activity planned outdoor: treasure hunt, water games, planned games…

Teams feed collaboration and a sound competition makes self-esteem grow.

It doesn’t matter whether it is a bucket to fill or a drawing to reconstruct.

Discovering bees and beehives

Another time there was a very particular activity: we went discovering the amazing world of bees with a professional beekeeper.

A short introduction to explain how bees live and then go!

It was really beautiful seeing our dreamers so curious and interested.

All of us harnessed with beekeeper suits we went and see the beehives from the inside, open boxes, search for the queen bee and discover all the secrets of honey’s production, of course!

It’s useless to say Dreamers liked really a lot this activity!

Also who was more afraid at the beginning, soon relaxed when they got bees couldn’t sting them!

At night big games, atmospheres and costumes

At night we played different games with torches and Dreamers measured themselves always with enthusiasm. Great summer camp 2018.

Costumes, the big green space, atmospheres and our narration contributed in creating the right atmosphere.

Our costumes were really funny, of course!

Above all with the big ones we measured ourselves with a bit fearing tales.

All acted like lions while they talked about it by day, then as soon as was getting dark…they were even afraid of walking alone!

Even because – going around the garden with torches – they met zombies, ogres, ghosts…

You think that during a game the ogre (the one dressed up in green) represented a good character who had to help them with the solution.

All Dreamers knew it and needed it, but all of them were afraid of getting close to him in the dark!

It’s useless to say that – taking cue from this – then we made them debate about how the cowl makes the monk and how appearances are deceptive!

Other times the alien (dressed up in blue) arrived to abduct them when they told a lie. Help!

And look a bit at how we applied to the zombie make-up! Were we good, weren’t we?

Are you interested in our new summer camp? Discover it!