Join our international, bilingual pony camp in Poitou Charentes, France

Detalhes

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  Descrição

  We are a family-run equestrian centre set in rural France. Each summer we run a pony-camp for French, English and International children.
  
  We have around 30 horses, 20 of which we use for camp. We also have 2 dogs, lots of chickens and doves, 2 peacocks, 2 ducks, 1 goose, 5 pigs and a cat.
  
  The camp activities include English style riding in the arena, Cross country, Gymkhanas, Trail rides, Vaulting (gymnastics on horses), Carriage driving, Dance, Scouts, Horse Theory, Archery and Blindfolded Woodland Trails.
  
  Last Summer we ran a very successful summer camp with the help of 20 lovely work-awayers! We cater for up to 30 children at camp and up to 20 workawayers at a time. The children are 45% English speaking, 45% French and 10% International aged between 5-15. As a family we speak a mixture of French, English, German and Spanish.
  
  We have workawayers and campers from all over the world and it is a fantastic opportunity to mix with people from lots of different countries, learn new languages and make friends with people from all around the globe. The ability to speak French (Or the willingness to practice hard and learn more) is preferable as camp will run in both French and English.
  
  Our house is a lovely Farm Cottage set amidst green fields full of our horses. In a morning you can look out of the window and watch the sun rise over horses cantering in the field - magical!
  
  We want the camp to be a memorable experience for all our children and volunteers every summer and therefore try to keep it as fun and upbeat as we can - whilst also maintaining an extremely high level of safety and care.
  
  Whilst camp is running, we run a tight schedule, otherwise things start to slip and the children don't get to their activities on time, etc. Every adult on camp will have their own time-table and this ensures camp runs smoothly. This may sound a bit full-on, but without the time-table, activities over-run and camp becomes very chaotic!
  
  Whilst camp isn't running, volunteer work is a lot more laid-back and volunteers are able to ride in their spare time!

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  Tipos de ajuda e oportunidades de aprendizado

  Cuidar de crianças/atividades criativas

  Manutenção geral

  Ajuda a cuidar da casa

  Cuidar de animais

  Ensino
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  Oportunidades de intercâmbio cultural e aprendizado

  We have up to 20 work-awayers at a time staying with us, from all over the world. Previous work-awayers have all stated what an amazing experience our summer camp was in relation to making friends with people from all over the world.
  
  We can offer a multi-cultural experience with many different languages to be learnt. As a Family we are bi-lingual in French and English, and fluent in Spanish and German. Our campers also come from all over the world and the camp runs in both French and English.
  
  If you want to improve either of those languages, this is the place for you!
  
  During the Training Week before the campers arrive, there will be opportunity to ride our horses, (weather permitting). And when the campers leave, as a thank-you to all our helpers, we take our horses swimming in our lake.

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  Projetos que envolvem crianças

  Este projeto pode envolver crianças. Para mais informações, veja aqui nossas diretrizes e dicas.

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  Ajuda

  THIS IS NOT A HOLIDAY. If you are looking for easy work with minimal input then this is not for you.
  
  We have been extremely lucky in the past years to have been blessed with volunteers who are passionate about children and passionate about horses and have worked hard to reap the rewards of working in a team to create an amazing summer for themselves and the children at camp.
  
  Whilst camp is on we do ask quite a lot from our volunteers. Everyone will have long breaks throughout the day to re-charge batteries, but camp runs for a full-on day between 7:30am and 9:30pm.
  
  During camp we are looking for 3 teams of volunteers: The Activities Team, the Camper Team and the CampPower team. Please state which Team you would like to be a part of when sending your initial email.
  
  During Camp, Activities Team responsibilities will include:
  -Assisting in all horse-related activities (carriage driving, vaulting, trail rides, etc)
  -Leading beginners in riding lessons
  -Assisting Scouting/Dancing/Riding/Archery instructors
  -Being a good role model to the children
  -Being assertive and helping the children throughout the day in their daily activities
  
  During Camp, Camper Team responsibilities will include:
  -Being in-charge of a group of campers and helping them prepare for talent shows and dance contests etc
  -Spending one night in a tent next-door to the group of children they are looking after
  -Helping to serve food at meal-times
  -Being a good role model to the children
  -Being assertive and helping the children throughout the day in their daily activities
  
  CampPower Team:
  
  
  We are also looking for a camp Photographer. We do not require the photographer to have professional experience or qualifications in photography, but this is a welcomed bonus. We would like someone who is passionate about capturing high standard photos and who will be able to capture the essence and ethos of the camp through the lens of a camera. Ideally we are looking for someone who has their own high quality camera/DSLR. This would be a fantastic experience for anyone wanting to go into marketing photography or just a great opportunity for someone to expand on their photography skills.
  
  This is a great summer camp experience for our volunteers, and we encourage them to get as involved as possible in the camp's evening programmes, such as Talent Shows, Hosting a Game-show evening, Sing offs, Dance offs, Lip Sync Battles and more!
  
  If you don't have the time or the money to embark on a summer camp adventure in the States, we have created a free opportunity to be a part of this amazing experience in France! Our Camp Director has worked at a camp in the States for several years and is very passionate about delivering the 'summer of a life-time' experience to volunteers at our Camp in France.
  
  When camp is not running, volunteer's workload will be much lighter and there will be opportunity to ride in their spare time.
  
  Whilst camp is not running, responsibilities will include:
  -Preparing for/Cleaning up after Camp
  -Preparing horses for riding lessons
  -Helping the clients
  -Cleaning the swimming pool
  -Mucking out stables
  -Helping to keep the house tidy
  -General fence repairs and farm maintenance
  
  
  When camp finishes, we normally have a relaxed, fun week and take our horses swimming in the lake, so it's nice if you are able to stay for that as we all unwind from camp and have some fun!

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  Idiomas

  Inglês: Fluente
  Espanhol: Fluente
  Francês: Fluente
  Alemão: Intermediário

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  Acomodação

  While camp is running we will have a lot of staff and helpers living on site. We have a specially-built all-inclusive large dorm area for volunteers. There is a shower, fridge and cooker in this living space and it accommodates up to 18 people.
  
  The Camper Team will be required to sleep in a tent next-door to the tent of the children they will be looking after while camp is running.

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  Algo mais...

  Volunteers are able to ride in their spare time.
  
  We always invite volunteers to come along with us to swim with the horses in the lake, go on trail rides, go to local parties, go to the firework display on Bastille day, go to the annual festival of Confolens, and any other fun things we might be getting up to whilst they stay with us.
  
  There are plenty of opportunities to befriend the locals, who are always extremely welcoming to our work awayers and offer to take them out places and go to parties etc. There are lots of pretty towns and villages nearby which are accessible by car. We are pretty flexible, and when arranged in advance, can drop volunteers off in nearby towns to explore for the day etc. We are very rural and public transport is non-existant!
  
  We do have bikes which volunteers are more than welcome to use to get them round and about! We have miles and miles of walks for the keen hikers! It really is a beautiful part of France.
  
  If you love the country side and you love animals, this really is a fantastic place!

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  Mais alguns detalhes

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    Acesso à internet

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    Acesso à internet limitado

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    Temos mascotes

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    Somos fumantes

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    Pode hospedar famílias

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  Quantos Workawayers pode acomodar?

  Mais de 2

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  Horas previstas

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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