Summer camps and English summer schools are amazing places. You'll come away with so many memories, new experience and lifelong friends. We have come up with a list of tips so that you can get the most out of your time at XUK Camps...
1. Unplug
We do allow our campers to bring their phones and other electronic devices to XUK Camps, however they can only be used during free time!
Challenge yourself this summer to only use your phone when you really need to - to call home, swap contact details with your new friends at the end of the week and to capture those special moments as photos.
During your free time, let the magic of camp steal your attention rather than social media! You'll find it a lot easier to make friends if the other campers can see your happy face rather than the top of your head because you are looking down at your phone! Spend time in our Common Rooms playing Table Tennis, have a kick about on our fields or make friendship bracelets to hand out to your new camp BFFs.
2. Try new activities
Everybody has their favourites in life whether that's favourite meals, places or bands. It's easy to get into a habit of only experiences the same things, things we are comfortable with... At our camps we will have lots of activities on offer that you might not have tried before! Why not mix up every afternoon with something you love as one of your choices and something new as your second?
Who knows, you might try something new and find you have a real talent or decide you would really like it as a hobby when you get back home! And what's the worst that's going to happen? You pick an activity that doesn't really float your boat, but it's only an hour and a half - you'll never know unless you try it!
3. Branch out
Some of our campers come alone to our camps and others come with a friend, sibling or cousin... You will have a much better time with us if you branch out and speak to lots of different people. Making friends from all over the world has it bonuses - you will learn about their cultures and who knows when you're older be able to visit their cities!
There are so many ways to branch out... choose a choice session where you don't already know anybody, knock on the door of the dormitory next to you, sit with new people during meal times...
Always remind yourself that some campers find it a bit more challenging to make friends so if you do see somebody looking a little bit lonely, go over to them and welcome them into your friendship group!
4. Speak in English
Our camps and summer school are very international, we are very proud of this! Last year we had campers attending from over 60 different countries... That's a lot of different languages which could be spoken around camp! We ask that all of our campers communicate in English as it is our common language that we all understand - even if that is just the basics!
Speaking in English will make you much more approachable to other campers who do not speak your mother tongue and everyone will feel included!
5. Soak up the culture
It can be very tempting when you are on our whole camp trips to just shop 'til you drop. Remind yourself that you can spend entire days shopping when you aren't at camp and most of the shops in England are in most countries around the world.
Make the most of being in the UK and soak up the British culture, swap Primark for a museum and Topshop for a walk along a beautiful river!
6. Be brave
Push yourself outside of your comfort zone this summer! You might want to set yourself a goal before coming to camp...
Some of our activities on offer do require you to push yourself and be brave. Our amazing staff team will be there to support and encourage you along the way. Whether it's challenging yourself to Abseil if you have a fear of heights or go inside a Zorb if you have a fear of small spaces, we've got your back! Believe in yourself...
7. Make the most of your Dorm Leader
Your Dorm Leader is going to be your camp mum/dad/big sister/big brother for the week. They will be your first 'port of call'. We only employ the best staff each summer, who we know will be there to help you, look after you and be there for your throughout your stay with us.
Make the most of them - if you have a problem, speak to your Dorm Leader. There is no need to call home and worry your family at home when somebody at camp can help you!
8. Take up every opportunity
Your time at XUK Camps will fly by and before you know it, it will be September and you'll be counting down the days until you are back again.
There will be lots of opportunities for you to take during your time at camp. You will have the chance to perform in our weekly Talent Show, try new activities during our afternoon choice sessions and if you are 16 or 17 be able to participate in our LIT (Leader in Training) programme.
9. It's okay to miss home
We can promise you right here, right now that there will be lots of people on camp missing home. It might be there first time away from home or their tenth, they might be eight years old or they could be twenty years old and part of our staff team - it doesn't matter. You will not be the only person!
Missing home won't stop you from having the time of your life with us if you talk about it! Don't suffer in silence... we all have our different ways of dealing with homesickness! For some campers calling home is the best medicine, for others it is the worst. Others might just need a hug or to talk about how they are feeling and need a few positive words of encouragement!
10. Increase your independence
Being away from home, from your parents or carers is the best way to gain independence. Start your journey before you leave home - take control of your packing and decide what YOU are going to bring, pack your own things so you know exactly what you have and where it is when you arrive at camp!
Try your best to use your own initiative before asking for help (unless you are in danger of course)!
So there you have it, just some of the tips we will be sharing with you to make the most of out of your time at XUK Camps! We know you are going to have the summer of your life... See you in 10 weeks!
#xuk2018