‘A Head of Logistics is a multi-purpose contributor, an aspect I believe to be very exciting’
Did he feel up to joining a French camp last minute as Head of Logistics? Roeland co-worker Senne did not hesitate for even a second. He talks openly about his experience: his task list, and the way he associated with his colleagues and the participants.
Senne: “As Head of Logistics you have a number of responsibilities to attend to: the field trips at camp have to be organized as scheduled, the teachers need their equipment for the workshops, you have to go shopping for snacks and extras, and the camp’s bookkeeping and inventory afterwards is also your responsibility. That about sums it up. But you can also be deployed for the big game, and the workshops at camp. Personally, I find this multi-purpose aspect remarkably interesting.”
“At first, I imagined my role more as a behind-the-scenes part, but that turned out to be an underestimated idea. I helped with the big game which concludes the camp week, and on occasion I was a stand-in teacher or a language coach at field trips. When the children wanted to play a game or talk about something, they came to me for a chat. I liked that very much.”
It was your first time as a Head of Logistics at a camp. What did you learn primarily?
“It is not easy to estimate beforehand how large your food supply must be. When the camp ended, I had overstock. What I learned: it is better to shop twice, rather than to buy all the groceries at once. It makes it easier to calculate supplies. Also, it is not a walk in the park to be a perfect bookkeeper at camp. And our bookkeeping system could use a slight update as well.”
What about joining a camp strikes you the most?
“A weeklong camp is over before you realize it, but in hindsight it feels like it lasted longer. And I want to positively emphasize this statement. Both volunteers and participants feel a little ill-at-ease the first couple of days, because we all must get to know each other. But after a while we all slide into ‘camp mode’, with a decent set of rules and a well-thought-out schedule to navigate us through what always turns out to be a very pleasant week. We have designated tasks, but we lend a helping hand where we can. This experience will be a long-lasting memory to me."
“I also witnessed how the shyer participants bloomed quickly while they became close as a group, teachers included. Our volunteers try to be a friend rather than a teacher, which makes them accessible for the children and their questions… in French, mind you.”
“I was also surprised to see how fast the children adopted the new language. Speaking in French was a challenge, even to me. But it grew on me, faster than I expected. After a while I started to think in French. And on occasion, I even texted my girlfriend in French: it shows my level of involvement in the process!”
What qualifications does one need to be good at coordination?
“A keen eye for spotting assistance when needed is quintessential. You are always busy cleaning up. Because the teachers focus primarily on the students, spare time is not something they have in abundance. So, preparing the lesson materials for their workshops can be an addition to your task list. The needs of the team always come first, period. Another example: the ‘fifth meal’. A snack - like a nacho or croque-monsieur – presented to the volunteers during a late-night meeting, when everyone is tired from the day, will be deeply appreciated. With an improved team spirit as a direct result.”
“The teachers value your support. They see it as a token of appreciation. When you walk along on a field trip, or when you participate in the big game, you help to lift a part of the weight on their shoulders.”
It sounds like you have an intense part to play. Is that fair to say?
“In order to plan the field trips, we created a WhatsApp group. The other volunteers handed me their schedule, so I could work out everything in advance. A preparation like that is worth its weight in gold. A huge part of the job is already done, so you have created more time for grocery shopping, for administration and for being an occasional helping hand, during camp week.”
“At first, adjustment is part of being at camp. But after the first day you just go along with the flow. We went city golfing, longboarding, rafting, go-cart racing, ... Also, having a Plan B is always a good thing. Because of harsh weather, some of the outdoor activities had to be cancelled. But luckily, I made sure the contact info for an indoor trampoline park was near at hand. Thinking and acting quickly in situations like that is certainly an advantage.”
“Are you interested in joining our camps as Head of Logistics? Our experienced volunteers can show you how. My advice? Help the teachers out whenever and wherever you can. Their job is intense because they constantly focus on the participants, so your input is deeply valued. And by doing so, you can also have a little taste of what their job is like. You never know: a career as a teacher might be up your alley too!”
“I really enjoy the coordination part of my task. You are continuously involved, both on stage and behind the scenes. That combination really appeals to me.”
