"Hearing the language through the counsellors is great, but using it yourself is even better"
At home she speaks French, at school Dutch, and she learned English through music, series, in class… and at Roeland's language camps. "For the past three years, I've been joining the Summer Vibes camp in Sutton Valence", says Eva Claereboudt (17). "I have such a great time there that I now want to become a counsellor myself."
Eva: "When I stopped going to scouts in 2023, I was looking for another summer camp. A friend asked me if I wanted to join her at an English language camp. Because I love that language, I said yes straight away. I had such a wonderful time that we now sign up for the same camp in Sutton every year."
How do you find having to speak English all the time at camp?
"I think it's a really good thing. If we were still allowed to speak our own native language, the camp would be less useful, and we'd learn less. Hearing the language through the counsellors is great but using it yourself is even better. Trying, making mistakes and learning from them is the best way to master a language."
"At the end of the camp, I notice that my English has improved, especially my pronunciation, and that I even start thinking in that language. During the workshops, I also learn other useful things. On top of that, I always enjoy meeting new people. And last but not least: I now have more confidence speaking English."
What are your favourite camp moments?
"My best memories are meeting new people, the daily sports session where I can burn off my energy, the workshops we choose at the start of the camp and then do every day, and the 'tuckshops': short relaxation moments at the end of the day, with music and board games."
Why do you now want to become a counsellor yourself?
"Next year I won't be able to take part in the camps in Sutton anymore. Still, I'd love to stay part of that world. Becoming a counsellor seems like the best solution."
"Every summer at camp, I watch the counsellors at work and wonder how they experience the camp. I can see how much fun they have together, and I'd love to be a part of that too."