As an EPIK teacher, I have to teach two weeks of English camp every summer and winter. This isn’t the type of camp that I was used to growing up as an American kid, though. There are no blobs, there are no campfires, there are no s’mores (unless you’re a glutton for punishment. Made that mistake once), and there’s definitely no sleeping here–contrary to what my students believe about me. I think they call it ‘camp’ to make it sound like something the kids will want to do.

English camp in Korea can actually be a whole lot of fun, despite the whole learning thing, but the success depends on how much work the teacher puts in. The kids come to school daily for one to two weeks during their summer break for four hours of what their parents hope is English instruction. Most EPIK teachers will be assigned specific age groups, usually 3rd to 6th graders, with a Korean coteacher in tow. Some lucky (or unlucky… if you’re the glass half-empty type) teachers teach 3rd to 6th grade camp completely alone. Some even luckier teachers teach 1st to 6th graders completely alone. I fall into this category.
Side note: English instruction in public schools starts in 3rd grade. 1st and 2nd graders either know absolutely no English or they know what they’ve learned at their academies. My students are all over the spectrum. I’m a miming champ, guys.

The first time my coteacher told me that I would be doing camp alone, I was terrified. When she told me that I would be teaching the 1st and 2nd graders on top of that, I think I suffered a mild heart attack. My first camp experience was a little rocky to say the least, but things have definitely taken a turn for the better. I no longer have to wrestle kids from under my desk or tell them not to pants each other. After adopting a points system that actually matters, mastering the I’m-going-to-erase-your-points death stare, making up tons of drill cheers, and realizing that things will never really go to plan, I actually  look forward to teaching English camps every semester.

I’m going to miss this when I leave Korea.

Did I really just say that?