“Camp EXCITE is very important for Sumy Oblast and Ukraine because it gives both teachers and students an opportunity to get to know people from a different culture and enlarge their knowledge of the world.” -Ольга Приходько
What is Camp EXCITE?
The overall aim of Camp EXCITE is to bring together Ukrainian pupils, teachers and Peace Corps volunteers in an English language immersion environment to foster a greater sense of community and of the world, and to encourage the development of creative, communication, and professional skills.
Camp EXCITE is a series of engaging English language seminars for Ukrainian 8th-11th form pupils of English. Seminars are taught by US Peace Corps Volunteers, all of whom are native English speakers. Ukrainian teachers and volunteers are also involved in teaching and running the camps.
Camp EXCITE holds seven weekend camps throughout the school year in cities and towns throughout Sumska Oblast, including Sumy, Konotop, Krolevets, Bilopillia, and others.
Camps comprise 45-minute interactive lessons, punctuated by group challenges, games, and social activities to promote informal interaction among Ukrainian pupils in English. Lesson topics are chosen for their appeal to pupils, and lessons include such skills as reading critically, persuasive writing, public speaking, active listening, etc. Above all, Camp EXCITE emphasizes experiential learning and active youth participation.
