Chinese Summer Camp for Canadian Students

A summer camp is being organized by the Hanban (Office of Chinese Language Council International), a government office of the People's Republic of China that promotes the Chinese language and culture worldwide. The Summer Camp is a two-week intensive program for Canadian high school students, including courses in the Chinese language and culture. During the 2-week program students will have the opportunity to develop their language skills by attending a variety of classes, interacting with Chinese students, and participating in field trips and sightseeing activities.

The specifics of the summer camp are as follows:

1. Program Dates: 2011 summer

2. Program Duration: 2 weeks

3. Enrollment: 90 campers (including a group teacher); teacher-student ratio is 1/9 to 1/15.

4. Camp Location:

The 90 campers (including group teachers) will be divided into 3 groups; each will camp in a different city in China, with camp locations TBA.

5. Camp Activities

Courses in the Chinese language and culture (e.g. paper-cutting art, calligraphy, brush painting, tea ceremony, martial arts, etc.), various athletic and cultural activities (e.g. basketball games, get-togethers, homestay, etc.), and visits to historic sites of interest and sightseeing of scenic spots.

6. Application

a. Qualifications of Applicants

Students currently enrolled in credited public/private high schools who meet the following criteria:

(1) Hold Canadian citizenship;

(2) No Chinese learning background or less than 3 years of Chinese learning experience;  

(3) Aged 14 to 18;

(4) Excellent academic record, and interested in Chinese language and culture;

(5) In good health for international travel.

The group leader (teacher) must meet the following criteria:

(1)  Rich experience in student management;

(2)  Understanding of current situation in China and respect of Chinese culture;

(3)  Commitment to education with good rapport with students and responsibility;

(4) Good communication skills and adaptability to new environment;

(5) In good health for international travel.

b. Application and Selection Procedure

The qualified applicant needs to submit a filled-in application forms (forthcoming), together with a personal application letter and a recommendation letter from his/her school or teachers to Confucius Institute at Brock University, Room 245, International Centre, Brock University, 500 Glenridge Ave., St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, by April 30. The interested teachers to act as group leader will submit their resumes to the same. The Confucius Institute at Brock University will screen the applications, identify qualified candidates, and send a list of selected candidates to the Hanban for qualification check and final approval. The Hanban will notify the Confucius Institute of the final selection results.

7. Program Costs

Students and teachers are responsible for the costs of round-trip air tickets and international travel insurance. Hanban will assume all the costs for accommodations and meals, domestic transportation, and all group activities and sightseeing for students and group teachers during their stay in China.

If you have questions about the summer camp, please contact Dr. Cheng Luo by e-mail at cluo@brocku.ca, or by phone at 905-688-5550, ext. 4285.

To download the Application Form for Students, please click here.

To download the Application Form for Chaperons, please click here.

For more comments from students who were involved in the Chinese summer camp, please click here.