Your Questions.

Please feel free to ask any question here.

>Just wondering if anyone had any info on becoming a volunteer? maybe from someone that has been a volunteer in the past?

Hi there, I volunteered at Camp Quest Michigan last year, so if you have any specific questions about camp, just ask.

>I notice that at the earliest camp quest uk would be starting in summer '09. Are there any oppurtunities to help out in the camps in America? I did have a look at the american websites and it seems difficult to help out over there due to travel expenses, visa's, other paper work, etc. Just wondering if my suspisions are correct? Thanks for any info you can provide.

Some of the camps will have already been held. Some may still have openings for August. Have a look at www.camp-quest.org to find the specific camp websites.

You will have to cover your own travel expenses and won't be paid! It is a thankless job in terms of financial reward, but the other benefits make up for it! However, since you won't technically be employed, you don't need a visa and there is relatively little paperwork. I suggest you contact the director of the particular camp you are interested in.

Hope this helps,

Sam

Hi,
Do you organise any events, other than residential arrangements, eg days out to Natural history museum, especially after the Darwin Centre 2 opens. I've a 10-year old.

thanks

guwes wrote:Hi,
Do you organise any events, other than residential arrangements, eg days out to Natural history museum, especially after the Darwin Centre 2 opens. I've a 10-year old.

thanks

Hi guwes

The summer camp (july 2009) is our main focus, but we are looking into the idea of days out, visits to schools and weekend camps. With 2009 being the ideal time to focus on Darwin and evolution a trip to the Natural History Museum's Darwin Centre is a great idea. If we don't organise something (solo or with other groups) I am sure the BHA Family Network will.

regards

Hi, just wondering if anyone is reading this! I asked a couple of questions in the introduction thread a few days ago, and also sent an email to Samantha, but no reply so far.

I'll rephrase my questions here: my daughter will be 10 next year, and I'd love for her to be able to attend. But English is not her first language and I'm wondering if the camp's focus on critical thinking won't make it too difficult for her to keep up. I'm tempted to volunteer as a counsellor myself in order to give her something to fall back on (and make a contribution to a cause I believe in, and have a great time myself) but I know that part of the fun of camp for kids is the total immersion/escape from family and familiar surroundings, so I wonder if that wouldn't detract from the experience for her, and/or form a distraction for the rest of the group.

cheers, Jim

Hi Jim,

The camp only poses questions then allows the children consider what their views are on topics, then to discuss in groups. There is no speed or set syllabus to 'get through', P4C focuses on helping the children to think about topics and what they feel are the 'answers' that are discussed in a friendly group setting. We will obviously do our best to accommodate language issues, and help her to join in, but she should be comfortable with English.
We would welcome the opportunity to help foreign students at the camp as it would benefit both english (meeting new people) and non-english (language skills)

If you wanted to volunteer we could assign you to a different tent/group, but Im sure at 10 she'd love the opportunity to get away!

Thanks for your answer, Richard. I know she would enjoy getting away, but I also have to sell the idea to the Mrs, and me volunteering would make that much easier... we'll have to see.

What is P4C by the way?

Hi Jim

Philosophy for Children, or P4C, is a method of teaching and learning that focuses on developing thinking skills within a group or "community of enquiry". Often taking an unusual theme as a focus, P4C aims to help children to think for themselves and benefit from the thinking of others.

I've started a forum for people to learn more and talk about P4C;
http://cquk.niceboard.org/camp-quest-uk-2009-f4/p4c-philosophy-for-kids-t9.htm

Hope this helps