Name: John Joe
Position: Managing director |
Profile:
John Joe has over 15 years experience in the sector. He is a committed
perfectionist, though the rest of the team call this being annoying. Happiest when
he’s out and about with students, he is often recalled to the office in order to
‘administer’. He tends to sulk a bit when this happens.
Top Place in Summer Camp Ireland:
“Really hard to decide! But if I have to choose, I suppose The Sliabh Liag Cliffs(pictured)..
They are the highest sea-cliffs in Europe - yes higher than both Dover & Moher.
It’s a part of one of our Saturday trips, and it’s just a ‘Wow!’ moment among the
students -for me too, actually”
Favourite Moment:
“When I see students drop their barriers and work together to either solve
a landscape riddle, or orienteer the woods around the lake, and become closer in
the process” |
 |
Top Tip For Students:
“Enjoy yourself. Make lots of new friends. Listen & learn lots. Leave with a
new perspective.”
Favourite Activity:
“I think some of the evening activities are when students really start to enjoy
themselves, Though I think surfing has to be the number 1 activity, but of course
there’s scuba-diving, and we can’t forget kayaking - no sorry can’t decide!”
Motivations:
“To make the course ever more interesting, have more nationalities, and make sure
that every student leaves with wonderful tales to tell around the dinner table at
home”
|
|
Name: Alan
Position: Course Co-Ordinator |
Profile:
Alan has over 10 years experience in the sector and has an extensive background in all aspects of course coordination. He really enjoys the cultural and social experience of working with young people from all over the world. Known for being the ‘the nice one’, Alan is usually seen grabbing the ball and running off with a stream of students running after him.
Top Place in Summer Camp Ireland:
“Keem Beach! (pictured)We go there every year and I just love the reaction as the coach reaches the top of the cliff road and you hear the collective gasp from the students and then feel the anticipation as they see the beach down below.”
Favourite Moment:
“Departures, though it’s also the saddest day. It’s where you get to see how close they’ve become and how much they’ve grown to love Ireland” |
 |
Top Tip For Students:
“Mix with the other students as much as possible, but also as early as possible during the course. These other guys will become your very close friends, so get the most out of it for as long as possible!”
Favourite Activity:
“Although scuba-diving & surfing are very exciting, I think my vote has to go to either horse-riding or hill-walking - the students love to talk and they get a chance to absorb more of each other on those days.”
Motivations:
“Social integration ie more mixing. Students learn more, develop more and have more fun when they’re mixing with other students.”
|
|
Name: Leslie
Position: Academic Director |
Profile:
Leslie has over 10 years experience working in academic course design and loves putting together programmes that students find engaging and challenging. Very popular among the students and a source of endless positive energy Leslie is always out and about making sure that the students are scaling the learning curve.
Top Place in Summer Camp Ireland:
“All of the North West, but specifically Strandhill. Its beautiful beach is just a great place to go for a walk and blow away the cob-webs. Students love it because of the space and size - it goes on forever! It's also where we go surfing so that really enhances the experience”
Favourite Moment:
“Watching the students embarking on a project together and seeing them bring their own perspective to the course. It never ceases to amaze me how imaginative they are - they have some really original ideas!”
|
 |
Top Tip For Students:
“Open your mind to what you see and experience while in Ireland. When working on the documentary it's all about what your reaction is to the course. You and your class-mates have a chance to produce a truly original piece of work that you can show to your family, friends and teacher when you return home."
Favourite Activity:
“Yoga and Celtic stain glass painting (no, not at the same time!). They are both so refreshing and relaxing and students get a deep sense of relaxation from both. Celtic stain glass painting lets them see first-hand the Celtic designs and their origins as well as to get hands on and try it for themselves. Listen to some haunting Celtic music in the background and leave the session strangely relaxed and calm.
Yoga also gives them some 'quiet time', but is more physical. The first time for some of our students, it's an opportunity to try a very relaxing activity that leaves them feeling very calm afterwards - essential for the academic and intellectual process!"
Motivations:
“To continue developing the course based on what we learn from the students as much as what we teach them.”
|
|
Name: Aga
Position: Administrative Director |
Profile:
Aga is one of the founders of the programme and is responsible for the behind the scenes work that ensures the course runs smoothly. Having a keen eye for detail, Aga is usually seen double-checking that everything is in order and that everyone is doing what they should be. Colleagues are slightly afraid of her - don't let that smile fool you!
Top Place in Summer Camp Ireland:
“Mullaghmore. It's a lovely little sea-side village where our students go scuba-diving, but I love it just for it's own special charm. It sits out on the edge of Donegal Bay and is a great place to sit on the rocks at the water's edge and just let the sound of the ocean relax you.”
Favourite Moment:
“Watching the coach arrive in the car park on day 1! It's showtime!” |
 |
Top Tip For Students:
“Have fun. You're only young once and this is something you'll remember forever."
Favourite Activity:
“The Wild Rose of Inisfree Waterbus ride. You just sit back and feel the lake go slowly past you. On a nice summer's day the breeze that brushes gently on your face as you sail slowly along the lake past Hazelwood Forest... oh why am I always stuck in the office?!"
Motivations:
“Perfection - it just has to be possible!”
|
|
Name: Claire
Position: Activities & Logistics Director |
Profile:
Don't let the baby-face fool you. Beneath this placid exterior beats a heart full of ruthless energy; buses better leave on time, activities better happen the way they're supposed to or someone's gonna pay! Ruthlessly efficient, Claire has been known to leave certain senior members of staff behind if it 'messes with her schedule'. Loyal only to the students and their enjoyment, safety and time-table, Claire can be seen with a clip-board under one arm and a lost student under the other orchestrating an afternoon's activities.
Top Place in Summer Camp Ireland:
“Anywhere on a Saturday trip. Dublin, Galway, Achill, Donegal. Students love to explore the towns around Ireland, whether it's just a little fishing village or the capital city, they get a great sense of excitement from the whole experience.
”
Favourite Moment:
“Saturday mornings - just before the trip. I just love the excitement of all the students collecting their packed lunch, deciding who they're going to sit with on the coach, planning their free time, shopping, sight-seeing and gossiping. It's just a personal little buzz for me seeing them all so happy and excited." |
 |
Top Tip For Students:
“Don't miss the bus - taxis are expensive...only joking!"
Favourite Activity:
"Apart from the Saturday trip, I think my vote goes to Irish dancing. It's usually everyone's first time. The guys are a bit nervous at first, but then they get really into it and they start trying to impress the girls. Lot's of giggling and laughing, luckily our dance instructor has a sense of humour and understands we're not looking for the next cast of Riverdance. ”
Motivations:
“To make sure time-tables run smoothly and everyone has a good day.”
|
|
|
|
|