Mihály Domokos, Péter Dorka, Dr. Ferenc Győri, Gábor Kiss: Recreation I.
VI.1.5.3. The advertisement has the following points in it:
- The aim and task of the camp.
- Examples include the expansion of children’s holiday activities, their introduction to positive lifestyle, quality life, and good health. Camp life is to contribute to the development of the children’s personality, team building, and the development of creativity and independence in campers. At camp the children may get acquainted with the basics of camp life, behavioral norms and the aspects and habits in social life. ,
- The starting and closing date(s) of the camp. (if there are several options, all of them need to be given). ,
- The site of the camp. In order to make it easily accessible it is recommended to give the GPS coordinates as well. If the camp is advertised on the internet, too, it is advisable to give a link with the information how to find it. You can find an example below: Szeged, Topolya sor 2.
- The accessibility of the camp: the best solution is if we give various options in this regard. How to get there by bus, by train, by car etc. If the road is of poor quality, then alternatives need to be given to make it easier to find the place. It is also useful to summarize the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Giving ticket prices may also help families to decide which transport option to use.
- The number of participants: generally each camp has a limited number of participants. (maximum and minimum numbers). If there is a minimum number of participants applicants will know that they face the risk of not being able to go. In camps with a maximum number of participants it is useful to monitor registration continuously from day to day, even from hour to hour. Later, when participants are picked, occasionally rejected, it is important to give parents the relevant date and time of registration.
- The preparedness of campers. The main features and aims of the camp may predetermine what level of preliminary training is needed. For example, in a rock climbing camp, where the basic requirement is to climb several hundred metres per day, preliminary training and a certain level of rock climbing skills are required from applicants. This is why only ceritified, experienced rock climbers qualify for participation.
- The gender, age and interests of participants. When compiling the program for the camp the gender, age and interests of applicants need to be considered. It can be done in two ways. First, we may organize a camp to meet the needs we already know. Second, we prepare a camp with a distinct aim and program, then advertise it in the circle of children/people who might be interested.
- The names of the teachers who work in the camp. When similar camps are organized from year to year, it is quite common, that parents choose a camp considering the names of participating/organizing teachers. The parents’ opinion as to the teaching skills, the personality of the teachers might be of decisive significance when choosing a summer camp.
- The equipment needed for the programs. As it was mentioned earlier this is the task of the camp leader to find out what equipment is already available at camp site. If that equipment is enough for completing the programs then it is not necessary to request their own equipment from the participants. But, if it is not possible to complete the program, it is advisable to consider what equipment can be transported easily to the camp site. It is necessary to prepare an inventory of the equipment, to check its condition and enlist separately those which are no longer suitable for our programs. In this latter case we have to buy new equipment before the program starts.
- House rules: it should state all those rights, possibilities and duties which the campers should be aware of and which relate to their behavior, the use of camp facilties and equipment and which help to protect them as well as the camp site. The house rules of an institution in Szeged can serve as an example.