Is anyone's "summer/winter camp" experience like this?

[Jrong]

Day 1: a group of about 5 students
Day 2: same students
Day 3: whole different group of students show up as if it's the first day and the first group is gone
Day 4: one student from each group
Day 5: first group of 5 students is back along with some from the second group

Last summer I planned for a 5-day camp centred around a theme that would build on itself -- what a disaster. The topic was also a disaster: "physical fitness". The kids could not give a damn about exercise. I don't blame them seeing how they're wiped out from being in school all the time.

Anyways, has anyone else had this camp experience where you cannot "build" on a topic but instead have to teach 5 separate lessons that are completely independent of each other b/c you have no idea who will show up each day?

[klin062]

In a word.  Yes.

I had a list of the students who were meant to be attending my summer camp so I planned accordingly for that amount of students.  Half of those on the list never showed up but then some that weren't on the list did.  Some showed up about an hour and a half after I had started, some turned up some days but not others.  Next minute one of my co teachers is dropping her kindergarten age daughter off for me to babysit as well...
Basically, plan away but don't expect anything to turn out like you expect!

[chrys]

My summer camp was similiar and it was frustrating. This winter I am trying to have one or two classes per theme and then a wrap up review day. If kids miss a couple of the days, they can still play the games....I have two weeks, so am looking at 4 mini themes and 2 game days.

[jlt6]

I have had similiar experiences. one particulary frustrating one being that i was told to teach a one week intense teachers camp for the other english teachers at the school. the friday before the monday it started i was told that this wasnt happening and now i will be teaching low level students for 2 weeks. i ended up re-teaching some of the lessons that i had already taught the first grade. so each day i just treated it as 4 individual lessons. dont know if that helps but just try to recycle if you get stuck!

[Will.Grainger]

I've always had the same. These days I always have 5 separate lessons and teach those. I also focus on games and fun things as opposed to "teaching", as most students are so shattered from a full on year that teaching them anything 'serious' is a waste of time. Although to be honest, I find games and activities in summer/winter camp actually teach them more English, and when we are playing soccer or basketball or something like that, then they are fully awake and desperately want to talk to me and find out about me...it forces them to use the English that they know, and if they don't know they find a Korean teacher and learn how to ask what they want to ask! Although you have to judge the class on the day and see if it will work or not (and the co-teacher, if there is one).

[tfuller]

You only have a 5 day camp? I have 4 weeks, and my co has 6 weeks. And during that time, the bus was constantly an hour late or more because of the weather, and most of the kids from other schools didn't bother to turn up (work at a school that has an English centre catering for other students from other schools). We mostly just have a bag of tricks so to speak in case most of the kids don't turn up. Just don't be too hard on yourself, and be prepared and flexible is my advice.

[burim2011]

Yeah I had similar experiences too. That's what makes summer and winter camp so frustrating at times. Last year I did a winter theater camp where I used two popular storybooks and the kids performed the stories. For the most part it did well, but on the actual day to perform, some students didn't show up or were late. I and my coworker had to fill in for the missing students. Not such a big deal, but annoying nonetheless. So I usually try to have each day be a separate lesson so that it wont matter who shows up. One day I plan for a treasure hunt. The next day I teach an art class. The next day the kids learn about foods and shopping...etc. I think having different themes may be best. I too like lessons that "build up" as you said, but it can be hard to implement. Try to have backup plans if possible. Hope things work out for you.

[Jrong]

Ha ha, I didn't think I was the only one. Just looking under the "Summer Camp thread", though, I've yet to find an idea that would fit this type of 'Camp' (i.e. different themes everyday).

 Tfuller, you have 4 weeks? I have two 5-day camps. Do you get paid extra?

[tfuller]

Nope. Not a won extra. My job is funded directly from city hall, not via EPIK. I also work at a school with an English centre, which services a few schools in the area.

[vero55]

Yup. luckily I remember this experience for planning my summer camp.  ::)

[Jrong]

I'm thinking of doing a "Story" camp with each day revolving around a different story, different target language.

Day 1: Three little pigs
Day 2: Pinnocchio
Day 3: Snow White
Day 4: Shrek 1 (ties in those three stories)
Day 5: Cooking class *sigh* my Co-T wants me to fit this completely irrelevant class in so I save it for last.

Any ideas on coming up with "target language" from each story? I was thinking, instead, of just re-writing the stories (simplifying the language, creating a rhythmic, repetitive structure) and having them learn the lines and then act them out.

For example (using 3 little pigs):
"Is this a strong house?", "No, it isn't" (wolf blows down house)
"Is this a dumb pig?", "Yes, it is"
"Is this a strong house?", "No, it isn't" (same)
"Is this a dumb pig?", "Yes it is"
"Is this a strong house?", "Yes, it is."
"Is this a smart pig?", "Yes, it is"

Using "Is this a ___" and "Yes, it is, No it isn't", target language.

?

[VizionMC]

Definitely same experience!   Never know who's coming and/or how many.  I just have 5 different topics/themes- 1 a day. 

Summer I did:  Environment, Hobbies, Habits, Jobs, and Music

Winter I will do:  Countries/Festivals, Beauty, Outdoors, Sports, and Outer space

Students may come if they please, I will be there with a smile, some holiday music, and an interesting lesson

[lgarcia]

At my school my camps are what i choose them to be. which usually is various topics for each class session. However, when i'm not doing a camp I've had to teach the low level sixth graders or the girls soccer team which is also low level. For those classes i was given nothing to go off of so i had to come up with topics of my own, which is good and bad. Rarely, did the same students show up 2 days in a row to be able to build a lesson with, so after the first week i just chose a different topic for each day and searched for worksheets to suite them. Don't stress over it, there is plenty of material out there to use. I've found that using top that the students about in their daily lives works better than what i'd like to teach them. For examples, giving directions would be a useful topic, but using the Simpson to describe personality and physical characteristics went over much better.