Ghent Introduces Inaugural Paid Block Camp

Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Ghent has launched its first-ever paid block camp, marking a new step in youth programming and urban engagement for children during the summer holidays.

Five days of assistance, food, and entertainment will be provided to second-year secondary school students. Although Tine Hoof (Thomas More), a researcher, thinks it’s a good endeavor, she also encourages schools to keep emphasizing easily accessible and reasonably priced support.

The camp’s objective is to give students and their families a week of structure and support. Among other things, the counselors offer social activities and meals, including lunch and dinner. This is meant to assist students in getting started and make sure they are aware of what they need to complete for the remainder of the semester.

“The idea already existed in Wallonia,”

explains initiator Yelena Busschots.

“My husband once attended a block camp there, and it worked incredibly well. He carried it over into the rest of his studies.”

Three week-long camps, each lasting from 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM, are offered by the Ghent organization in Belgium. There are nine students signed up for the first week. There can be no more than 20 participants. 

A study coach who oversees internships at HOGENT and has worked with different student support centers (CLBs) will be on hand during the camp. Each student develops a plan on their own.

“We work with them to determine objectives, but also to assess their feasibility.”

“We’re also working on students’ focus,” says Busschots. “For example, it’s really not easy to study with a phone or laptop on your desk.”

According to Busschots, while cell phones and laptops aren’t explicitly banned, she believes it’s more helpful to convince young people of the harms of online distraction.

“Today, for example, we’ve invited an external speaker who will hopefully give them a wake-up call with some statistics and examples.”

There’s also attention for sports.

“It’s important to get enough exercise; students already have to sit in a chair enough. We want to motivate them not to scroll through their phones during their breaks, because that doesn’t relieve their mind.”

One of the participants is Jules, who was looking for support.

“During the coronavirus period, I couldn’t learn how to rehearse large volumes, so this camp offers me the right framework.”

Marie also chose the camp; she believes it can boost her motivation.

“They take care of everything for us, so you get the time and space to just focus on studying.”

And the starting price of 395 euros per week?

“That’s certainly a lot,