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The complete guide for Camp Counselors & Language Coaches.
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Guidance for Camp Counselors and Language Coaches. Sign in for your program view.
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A season outdoors. A team from everywhere. Here’s what to know before you pack your backpack.
Dear 2027 team member,
Congratulations and welcome to Camp Europe! It feels like yesterday that I welcomed the first kids to camp, but it has been more than twenty years of offering outdoor experiences to children from around the world. I am excited that you would like to be part of this journey.
Our camps bring together the best of European and Canadian summer camps: adventure, an international atmosphere, and a safe, fun place for children to grow. You will discover new cultures and languages, meet people from many countries, and share your enthusiasm for working with young people.
Camp can be tough. The hours are long, and the work is demanding. The friendships and experience can last far beyond the summer.
Resilience, initiative and looking out for each other matter. Come ready to learn, contribute and help create a team that feels like family. I look forward to welcoming you in Germany!
Jan Vieth
Director · Camp Europe e.V.
First-year participants must attend their full assigned staff training. Language Coaches and High Ropes instructors must also complete the specialist training assigned to their role.
| Session | Training dates | Arrival day |
|---|---|---|
| T1 Spring LC spring session |
13–20 March | 13 March |
| T2 Spring LC spring session |
15–22 May | 15 May |
| T1 Summer CC / LC |
19–26 June | 19 June |
| Group 1/2 LC / High Ropes |
24–26 June | 24 June |
| T2 Summer CC / LC |
26 June–3 July | 26 June¹ |
| T3 Summer CC / LC |
10–17 July | 10 July |
| Group 3/4 LC / High Ropes |
15–17 July | 15 July |
| T4 Summer CC / LC |
17–24 July | 17 July¹ |
| LC Online | 9 July · 17:30–20:30 | Online |
| T1 Autumn | 21–28 August | 21 August |
All dates are in 2027; times are local German time. Spring sessions apply where included in your offer. Online and autumn attendance must be confirmed in your personal schedule. ¹ If assigned the specialist block before T2 or T4, arrive on 24 June or 15 July, respectively.
Camp Adventure Academy
Vethem 58 · 29664 Walsrode · Germany
Plan self-arrival for 16:30 at the latest on your assigned arrival day. Check the final arrival message before booking your journey.
View camp on the map →Parking is available. Select Self arrival in your portal and submit the brief arrival confirmation so the office knows to expect you.
Meet at Walsrode train station at 16:30; departure is 16:45. Arrange and pay for your own train journey. Reserve your pick-up in your portal.
The station is approximately 12 km from camp. If you miss the transfer, a taxi costs approximately €30–35, at your expense and not reimbursed by camp.
Safeguarding and legal responsibilities when working with children in Germany; homesickness; leadership; bullying prevention; giving feedback; and responding to difficult situations. Whether you have years of experience or this is your first camp, attend every day.
Team-building, survival, archery, canoeing and kayaking, ball games, large-group games, arts and crafts. Bring your own ideas, too: training is a place to practise leading activities and learn from each other.
For the first two days, groups of about 10–12 trainees are supported by a senior counselor. You will experience arrival and group life from a camper’s point of view before becoming the person children rely on.
Training takes place in woodland in the Lüneburger Heide. Expect a shared six-person canvas tent, with a wooden platform or flexi-bed. Bring a warm sleeping bag, good camping mat, sleepwear and waterproofs. Rental or purchase arrangements are shared before training.
Your placement remains conditional on satisfactory training participation and performance.
A TEFL certificate is required. Upload your existing certificate to your portal. If you still need one, contact the Academy before purchasing a course.
The supported Premier TEFL route offers a 120-hour course for newer teachers, or a 10-hour classroom-methodology option for experienced teachers where approved. Ask the Academy to confirm your eligible 2027 course and registration code. The supported route requires at least two weeks as a Language Coach.
Bring teaching experience or relevant theoretical knowledge. Teaching-degree students who want practical experience are welcome.
You will teach small groups and practise making a language enjoyable. Ask about a recommendation letter or university internship report after completing your placement.
All Language Coaches must complete the assigned LC workshop, focused on teaching through play and camp activities. Follow the full workshop date block assigned in your portal.
The summer specialist blocks connect with T1–T4. A TEFL certificate does not replace the camp workshop.
If you are not transferring straight to a placement, regular training normally finishes on Saturday at around 10:00, with the station shuttle reaching Walsrode at 10:15.
For 2027, regular summer end dates are 26 June, 3 July, 17 July and 24 July. Specialist sessions have a different timetable: wait for your individual departure instructions before buying an onward ticket.
Your final specialist departure and station transfer time will be provided with your individual arrival instructions.
Must
Check passport requirements and upload your scan →, even if you normally travel within Europe using an ID card.
Useful
Returning staff often bring something special from a previous camp or their home country. The auction supports a charity chosen by the team.
Depends
Check the pre-arrival message if you need to rent a sleeping bag or mat.
Upload evidence of medical coverage for training and your entire placement. Provide the medical-coverage documents required for your placement. Check what your own cover includes; a health card is not a replacement for every travel-insurance benefit.
Do not rely on internet during training. Placement Wi-Fi may be slow or inconsistent. Consider a European SIM or data plan for personal use, and arrange essential access needs with staff beforehand.
Your 2027 offer and allocation specify your camp location. Check your assigned site and travel instructions in the portal before booking your journey.
Around May, you will receive a link to an online spreadsheet showing provisional assignments and a way to request changes. Stay flexible: camper numbers, staffing and logistics can change, including at short notice. Site contacts are shared during training.
Save +49 40 8080 576 11 — active season only and share it with family for genuinely urgent situations or travel difficulties. Use the office contacts below for routine questions.
If you move straight from training to another camp, or between two placements without a break, Camp Europe plans and pays for the transfer. Follow the travel instructions you receive; do not make independent arrangements expecting automatic reimbursement.
For a German placement, arrive on the Saturday before it starts. The team briefing is usually after dinner, around 19:00. Walsrode and Regen have a regular Saturday station pick-up at 16:45; confirm your place with the relevant site.
At the end of a placement, departure is normally on Sunday morning after breakfast, with the Walsrode/Regen shuttle reaching the station at 10:15. Confirm the current arrangements before booking.
Be in Germany at least one day before departure when joining a camp-arranged group flight or shuttle. You may also be required to accompany campers back to Germany at the end. Do not book independent onward travel from the overseas camp until your duties and return transfer are confirmed.
Other counselors often travel together. Leave yourself a few days after placement if you want to explore, but budget for your personal travel and accommodation.
Compare connections with Deutsche Bahn, Busbud and BlaBlaCar. Compare flights and baggage allowances before booking; routes and fares change.
The standard first-year counselor arrangement includes a Confirmation Deposit refund after successful completion of the first two placement weeks, with a €75 Weekly stipend starting in placement week five. Returnees and participants on specialist or partner programs can have different terms.
Your 2027 offer and signed MOU govern your own amount, refund and stipend. Check these in your portal. Payments are made through its Stripe flow.
Travel reimbursement — all programs: Camp reimburses up to €150 of eligible travel expenses at camp, against invoices, after you complete at least two placement weeks. Keep your invoices. The HAM shuttle can be paid now or reserved with €90 deducted from this allowance, leaving up to €60 for other eligible expenses. If you do not qualify for reimbursement, the €90 remains payable by you. This is separate from your Confirmation Deposit refund.
Direct transfers between consecutive camps are arranged and paid by Camp Europe. Personal holiday travel is separate.
Submit your European IBAN in your profile so the office can arrange eligible refunds and stipend payments. It is an information field, not a purchase or sign-up.
If you need account details, explore Wise and check availability and requirements for your country.
Keep your passport, medical form, criminal-record check, first-aid certificate, medical coverage, travel tickets, transport plan, and any applicable tax or visa documents up to date. Your personal portal shows the requirements for your program.
These are the placement date ranges used in your application, labelled with their corresponding CW numbers. The overlap includes arrival and departure days.
| CW | Dates · 2027 |
|---|---|
| 12 | 20–28 March |
| 13 | 27 March–4 April |
| 14 | 3–11 April |
| 15 | 10–18 April |
| 16 | 17–25 April |
| 18 | 1–9 May |
| 19 | 8–16 May |
| 20 | 15–23 May |
| 21 | 22–30 May |
| CW | Dates · 2027 |
|---|---|
| 22 | 29 May–6 June |
| 23 | 5–13 June |
| 24 | 12–20 June |
| 25 | 19–27 June |
| 26 | 26 June–4 July |
| 27 | 3–11 July |
| 28 | 10–18 July |
| 29 | 17–25 July |
| 30 | 24 July–1 August |
| CW | Dates · 2027 |
|---|---|
| 31 | 31 July–8 August |
| 32 | 7–15 August |
| 33 | 14–22 August |
| 34 | 21–29 August |
| 35 | 28 August–5 September |
| 36 | 4–12 September |
| 37 | 11–19 September |
| 38 | 18–26 September |
You will care for a tent or hut group, typically around 6–10 children: wake-ups, meals, bedtime, hygiene, homesickness and wellbeing. You will also lead activities for other campers and share everyday camp duties. Language Coaches typically lead about three hours of language activities a day alongside the rest of camp life.
Expect a provisional allocation around May, followed by a review during training. Languages, availability, team balance and camp logistics all matter. The allocation can change; use the shared spreadsheet to request changes, and remain flexible.
Camper ages and stay lengths vary by program. Your team will explain your group’s age range and arrival and departure schedule during training.
Camp has shared goals and program guidelines, but you can contribute activities that match your skills and interests. Training explains how to plan safe, suitable sessions.
Your time off is arranged with the team around the camp schedule. Confirm your individual rota and any breaks between placements before making personal travel plans.
Sometimes, subject to capacity and advance agreement. Walsrode or Regen may offer a stay in exchange for helping around camp for a few hours each day. Arrange this with the destination manager; do not assume a space is available.
No. During placement, staff normally share a room or tent with other staff, typically three or four colleagues. Training uses its own shared-tent arrangements.
Ask a permanent staff member. Extensions depend on available work, capacity and your eligibility; the season may continue beyond summer. Get approval before changing travel plans.
Yes. Free laundry facilities are available at camp.
Inclusive teamwork. Everyone contributes to cooking, cleaning, washing up, campsite care and activities. Even ordinary chores can become a game, a shared responsibility, or a dish-washing disco.
You must provide suitable medical coverage throughout training and placement. Check the coverage section above and your portal. Ask your provider about exclusions, repatriation and any additional travel cover you may need.
Requirements depend on your nationality, destination, length of stay and activities. Check the relevant embassy or official immigration guidance before booking. Contact Camp Europe if you need an invitation letter. Do not assume that tourist entry automatically permits your planned placement.
Camp takes place outdoors, where ticks may be present. Speak with a healthcare professional before travel about prevention and whether vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis is appropriate for you. Allow time for any recommended course.
Telephone, email and emergency contacts.
Daniel Macías-Barajas
International Operations · Camp Europe
Avinguda d’Europa 8, Gavà Mar
08850 Barcelona, Spain
Tanja Stut
European Headquarters · Camp Adventure
Bahrenfelder Steindamm 22
22761 Hamburg, Germany
Urgent camp/travel contact: +49 40 8080 576 11 — active season only
More personal arrival and placement details will be sent before your program begins.
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