This week has been no less intense for the lyceum pupils taking part in the Sumy Summer Language Camp.
The holidays are a time not only to hone their language skills, but also to learn how to get by on a tight budget and without the distraction of screens.
The campers’ latest session (16 June) with their American guest, Gabi, focused on an exciting and practical quest called ‘The Budget Challenge’. The participants faced a challenging but highly exciting task: to imagine they had just 500 hryvnias in their pockets, a whole week ahead of them and complete freedom of action. The main questions of the day were: Where to go? How to survive? And is it worth sleeping in a tent for the sake of a tasty dinner? The campers instantly switched on their critical thinking and creativity at full throttle to devise their own survival strategy and practise their financial literacy.
The week concluded with a discussion on a thought-provoking and highly topical theme – “A Weekend Without Wi-Fi” (18 June).
The most inspiring part of the session was brainstorming ideas on how to fill 48 hours of complete freedom from the internet. It turned out that life without Wi-Fi becomes much more vibrant! The campers are ready to rediscover forgotten hobbies or find new offline pursuits. For some, the most challenging task was having to be alone with their own thoughts, without background music or podcasts.
The themed sessions at the Sumy Summer Camp are not just about practising spoken English. They are a powerful training programme in financial literacy and building resilience. And ideas for a weekend without Wi-Fi offer a chance to reset your mind, listen to yourself and finally notice the beauty all around you. Who knows, perhaps some of our participants will spend their next weekend just like that – offline.