Learning Groups in the Morning at Kids Camp
Learning & Experiencing
Between 08:15 and 10:15, Salem Kids Camp offers learning groups in the academic areas of language, humanities and sciences. The focus is on "learning to learn", i.e. leading students towards independent and self-organized learning. Playful approaches, practical experience and helpful learning tips are intended to arouse enthusiasm for knowledge.
Daily Schedule (Monday - Friday)
Children can attend the following courses:
German
Really good stories and grammar: Children who like to read stories, write essays and improve their spelling and grammar at the same time will find what they are looking for here. Under the expert guidance of a Lower School German teacher, they can put their own ideas on paper. In the process, they expand their vocabulary, improve their writing style, and experience a creative, hands-on approach to the German language.
Basic English
Experience & Exercise: This course is designed for children who are interested in the English language, have had at least one year of English classes in school, and are not English native speakers. The focus is on free speech and vocabulary development. For example, the students conduct interviews with English-speaking Kids Camp participants and write articles for the Salem Kids Camp newspaper. In addition, grammatical topics are dealt with and the children's listening comprehension is trained.
German as a Foreign Language (DaF)
For Beginners
This is a class for participants with no previous knowledge of German who want to learn the language for the first time. In addition to the usual learning content for beginners, special emphasis is placed on learning the vocabulary that characterizes boarding school life: The children learn how to introduce themselves, how to conduct simple everyday conversations, and how to write small texts in the new language.
For Advanced Learners
Here, those participants who have already learned some German at school or at home can deepen their knowledge. We deal with topics in which the children are particularly interested and for which they can already do independent research. In this way, they learn in an exciting and entertaining way how to speak and write better. They also write short articles for the Kids Camp newspaper, which all participants can take home at the end. At the same time, the children work individually on grammatical topics and practice their listening comprehension.
History
Journey into the past: The participants will experience Salem Castle and its surroundings during the Middle Ages in theory and practice. Good German language skills are a prerequisite for participation in this group. In case of low enrolment, we may combine the courses of Salem Kids Camp & Salem Junior Camp.
Practical Mathematics
Math in a different way: Participants learn about mathematics in a practical way. With many games and learning aids, the course teaches mathematical rules and laws.
Mini Uni
Taster studies: Here, the young "students" learn interesting facts from the fields of natural science and technology. Under the guidance of experts, they learn about amazing phenomena in practice-oriented "lectures".
Practice Groups in the Afternoon at Salem Kids Camp
After the two-hour academic sessions, students will have a relaxing snack break.
The next time period until lunch is dedicated to practical work in small groups -- or more specifically to theoretical sessions in preparation for their afternoon activities.
After a nutritious and delicious lunch, students will devote their afternoons entirely to practical activities in small groups. Between 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. during the week, students take part in these practical groups. In this way they have the chance to dedicate themselves intensively to an activity of their choice for the entire duration of the Kids Camp.
The group leaders are trained experts in their field and are ably supported by our enthusiastic Assistants. The size of each group varies from 8 to 14 children. The following activities can be chosen from:
Art & Crafts
Let the imagination flow freely: Using a wide variety of materials such as plaster, soapstone, oil paint and ink, the children can paint, design and craft in many different ways. We look forward to many young artists who will be inspired by Salem Castle and its picturesque surroundings.
Sailing
Close to the water: The sailing course is mainly intended for beginners. After a theoretical lesson in the morning, participants head to the school's own harbour near Überlingen on Lake Constance. There, the participants can directly apply what they have learned on board of optimists. Boat care is also part of the sailing practice. In order to avoid boredom even when the wind is calm, the counsellors organize cross-country games, competitions in paddling on surfboards or in knot tying, and much more.
At the end of the camp, after passing the exam, the sailors receive the "Salem Kids Camp Opti-Diploma"!
Prerequisites for the course are a good knowledge of German and confident swimming skills.
On stage
The stage is set for young talents: Music, theatre and musicals - here, Salem Kids Camp participants can gain their first experience of independent speaking, singing and acting. They also write and stage their own short plays and try out different roles.
The highlight is the performance on the final day, when the participants present what they have practiced live "on stage" in front of their parents.
Forest
Exploring flora & fauna: Forest, water, meadow - in the beautiful and varied surroundings, the children explore these areas of nature by experiencing, playing and creating in a variety of ways. Supervised by experienced educators, they walk barefoot or blind, feel and touch, draw sound maps or create a mini national park. In the theoretical part - also with the help of experiments - the basics for a better understanding of the processes in nature are developed.
Circus
The circus is open for young artists: The circus in the lower school can look back on a long tradition. The flair of the circus world has always fascinated children. At Salem Kids Camp, they can learn ring arts such as unicycling, juggling, handling the diabolo or devilstick, acrobatics, tightrope walking or ball running from circus instructors with many years of experience.
Diligent practice pays off, because on the final day of the Summer Camp there is the big performance in front of the parents!
Evening Programme at Kids Camp
Free time: After dinner, there are different activities every day, e.g. soccer or field hockey, handicrafts, reading sessions or writing letters and e-mails to parents and friends.
From 8:00 p.m. on, the children spend the rest of the evening in their mentor houses, i.e. in their small living groups. After changing, showering, washing and brushing their teeth, the so-called Silentium begins at 8:30 pm. During this time, the children can stay in their rooms and, for example, read or play quietly.
After a long and eventful day, the lights go out at 9:00 p.m. and it's good night for everyone.