Those who 'design' summer for children.

A "trial by fire" environment

Keeping a few children at home during the summer is already a headache for many parents, so managing dozens, even hundreds, of children from families with different parenting styles and routines is a significant challenge. This job requires camp leaders and administrators to have patience, the ability to handle situations flexibly, and most importantly, a warm heart capable of understanding children.

At the XOXO day camp (Thanh Vinh ward), nearly 60 children are divided into four age-appropriate classes with fun names: Tung Tang (Spirited Away), Nhi Nho (Playful), Nhi Nhanh (Cute), and Khuc Gigi (Giggle). Mr. Vo Trung Hieu (born in 1989), a STEAM teacher and one of the camp's managers, still remembers the feeling of being "overwhelmed" in the early days of his assignment. "Initially, I thought this was just a job organizing activities for the children. But when I started, I realized the pressure was immense. From 8 am to 6 pm every day, we accompany the children in all activities: learning, playing, eating, hygiene, cleaning up… Usually, by the end of the day, I'm completely exhausted, many teachers have hoarse voices, and no energy left to do anything else," Mr. Hieu shared.

The biggest challenge lies not only in physical exhaustion but also in balancing the psychological well-being of a small group. Each age group has its own characteristics, and each child has a different personality. Teacher Hieu confided: "The most important thing is to be fair and set a good example; you need to know when to be strict and when to be gentle."

In large-scale summer camps with hundreds of campers like "Raising Wings of Dreams"In 2026, organized by the Provincial Labor Culture House and the Khai Minh Duc Education System, the team of teachers and volunteers will number up to 150 people. On average, each teacher/volunteer will accompany and care for 2 children. Most of these teachers and volunteers are highly experienced and truly dedicated to children's education. Only then can a successful summer camp be guaranteed," shared Dr. Phan Trung Phuong, Chairman of the Board and General Director of the Khai Minh Duc Education System.

To bring nearly 60 different personalities together in a shared environment, besides organizational skills, the most important thing is perseverance and dedication. This pressure isn't limited to classroom activities or games; it also comes from seemingly small logistical tasks. Ms. Ha Phuong, in charge of the kitchen at XOXO, said: “You have to remember which children are allergic to which foods, what they like to eat, and which foods they don't tolerate so you can adjust the menu. Food safety and hygiene are paramount. In the beginning, the children couldn't even wash their own dishes properly, so I guided and supported them to gradually develop independent habits.”

It's not just professional teachers who feel the pressure of this job. In a one-month residential summer camp model in the suburbs, parents also have the opportunity to experience the role of "unwilling camp supervisors," taking turns accompanying teachers to care for 10 children. Ms. Ta Trang Nhung (born in 1988, residing in Thanh Vinh ward) used to think that the cost of tens of millions of VND for a month of summer camp was quite high, but after participating firsthand, that opinion changed.

"After a month of working with them, I understand that the money wasn't expensive at all. To organize such a program, teachers have to invest a lot of effort: planning activities, creating enthusiasm for the children, integrating knowledge, and most importantly, understanding the psychology of each child," Ms. Nhung shared.

The sweet fruits of sweat and toil.

Despite the hard work and pressure, those who work as "game facilitators" still choose to dedicate themselves to the world of children. The greatest reward they receive is the positive change in the children and in themselves.

At the Learning for Life Skills Center, short-term experiential courses at Nam Xuan Garden are a journey that helps children move away from phone screens and into real-life environments.real-life experienceAccording to Mr. Dong Quang Vinh, a representative of the center, a successful summer camp must ensure safety, be beneficial, and enjoyable.

"When children come to experiential learning environments, they learn how to take care of themselves, connect with nature, and solve real-life situations," said Mr. Vinh. For Mr. Vinh, the moment they see children setting up tents, participating in activities with their friends, or lying down gazing at the starry sky after a day of experiences is when they truly feel the value of the work they are doing.

At XOXO, children's growth happens every day. Teacher Hieu smiled and said, "Some children initially whine and are uncooperative, but after a while, they want to come to the summer camp on weekends to see their teachers and friends. That's a great joy for those of us who do this work."

For Trang Nhung, the last two weeks of the boarding program were the most memorable. Having gained a better understanding of the children, she immersed herself in activities such as playing in the rain, planting trees, learning to dance, and studying electrical safety skills… “At the end of the month, I realized that not only had my son matured, but I had changed too. We learned to listen to and understand each other better,” Nhung shared.

Returning from Hanoi to participate in organizing a summer camp for 350 children of union members, workers, and laborers in Nghe An, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Van shared: “Every time I accompany summer camp programs in Nghe An, I always have a special feeling when I meet children with disadvantaged circumstances, some are orphans, some were born into difficult situations… but they always try their best to study and are very affectionate. That is what makes us program organizers even more proud of our work and want to give even more love to the children.”

Perhaps the greatest reward for those who run summer camps is not a safe summer break, but seeing the children return home with more confidence, more willingness to share, and beautiful childhood memories.