Teens Camp: Week 2 & 3
Teens Camp
Week 2 & 3 of Camp
In the second and third week, Zenith Camp offers a programme just for teens aged 13 to 17. The mornings are free: they can sleep in, come to the children’s tent, hang out with each other in the teen tent or roam through nature. Some may also like to work as a Teen Staff in the camp in the mornings. In the afternoons, the group meets with Isha (week 2) or Nori (week 3) for activities that suit their wishes and needs – for example, outdoor games, movement and dance, singing, art and creativity, sharing, or sensory exercises. Trips with the van or a day hike can also be part of the programme.
In all ancient cultures, the transition from childhood to adulthood was accompanied by initiation rituals. Even though we are aware that we cannot replace a lost tradition in one week, we would like to offer a space and time in the mountains where change and maturing are allowed to happen, with respect and consideration for the intense time of growing up. In weeks one and four there will be no teen programme in the afternoons. We want to encourage families with teens to participate in weeks two & three, where we can offer a quality programme. However, in weeks one & four, there will be a place just for the teens, and a support person who is always there to talk. If there is interest, there will also be a group meeting once a day.
Week 2: In week two, Isha is going to offer a safely held space for the teenagers to explore their inner worlds through rhythm, melody, dance, poetry and free visual art. We’ll work with frame drums, create our own rhythm patterns, songs and dances and give voice to the five elements. (No previous experience is required.) Our guiding theme will be: “My inner anchor and my sense of freedom”.
Week 3: In week three, experiential educator Nori Khellaf accompanies the teens. The focus of the program is on nature and self-awareness. Experiential interactions, games, team tasks and sensory exercises strengthen our contact with ourselves as well as our experience of community and support in a team. The week’s highlight will be a day hike through the majestic mountains of the Ticino Alps.
Speakers
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Linda Isha FitzwilliamIsha has been at Zenith Camp every summer since she was a child. She is a dance educator, yoga teacher, shamanic practitioner and a learner of life. Her focus is working with children and women in singing, dancing, movement, nature, energy medicine and personal experience. Isha lives with her family in Switzerland where she teaches children’s and women’s classes, workshops, women’s circles, drum circles and healing sessions. She brings creativity, humor, integrity and empathy to her work with children’s groups.
https://www.spiral-song.com/ -
Nori KhellafNori has been closely involved with Zenith Camp for the past eleven years. His passion is to bring children and young people into contact with nature. He holds a bachelor’s degree in primary education and is a certified experiential educator. Away from the camp, he works for the Diakonie Hessen with young adults, organizes permaculture work groups, and is self-employed as a sound & video technician.