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DARÜŞŞAFAKA SUMMER CAMP

Every summer holiday, we invite a group of fifth-grade students from Darüşşafaka Schools, selected by their school teachers, to our farm. This group stays with us for two consecutive summers. Guided by our pedagogue's expertise, we organize 21-day summer camps enriched by volunteer educators who conduct workshops in their areas of expertise and supported by volunteer university students who help meet all the children's needs.

The daily schedule begins with an early morning wake-up and a trip to the sea. Believing that swimming is a right everyone should enjoy in a country surrounded by seas, we aim to teach this skill to children who cannot swim. After the seaside, we gather in our central workshop area, Helios, and start the day by forming a circle before engaging in various workshops throughout the day.

Our pedagogue facilitates play-based activities that enhance children's self-awareness and their understanding of the world around them. Volunteer educators and our neighbors lead workshops in arts and crafts such as music, dance, painting, ceramics, sewing, and jewelry-making. Volunteer university students contribute by organizing hands-on activities based on their skills, as well as sports events like volleyball, basketball, and table tennis. We also frequently go on nature walks, visit nearby sites, and explore historical landmarks during the camp.

Rather than immersing the children in an intensive educational program, we provide them the freedom to experience nature and farm life. Children are welcome to participate in farm activities like agriculture, woodworking, and animal care whenever they wish. Responsibilities like meal preparation and cleaning are shared, fostering a sense of communal living. This approach allows children to experience living as part of a community and to develop a strong connection with nature.

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