Today, the activities of the camp counselors are supported at the level of the country's president, who gave the relevant departments a number of instructions aimed at developing the movement. But long before that, in 2011, a student pedagogical squad (SPS) "Arlekino" was organized at our university, and a few years later a second student squad of this type appeared - "Svoboda".

Members of these student squads talk about how student counselors contribute to the education of future generations and what skills they themselves acquire.

"Arlekino": joy for children, interesting experience for us

A third-year student of the Faculty of Architecture Nadezhda Bykova recalled that initially the activists were thinking about what kind of squad to create: a construction or a pedagogical one? In the end, they decided to start with the direction in which they had the most experience. According to her, today "Arlekino" works in children's health camps and organizations with a similar direction and structure of activity in St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. The place of work is chosen based on the proposed conditions, taking into account transport accessibility and the interests of the squad's members, the results of the previous summer work season.

"The responsibilities of the counselors vary depending on the specific camp. Basically, we organize children's leisure, conduct events aimed at maintaining and strengthening the health of children, developing their individual abilities. In some cases, we are also responsible for organizing camp-wide events, as well as everyday household chores," Nadezhda explained.

She believes that being a counselor allows students to develop many personal qualities, including responsibility, organization, creativity, the ability to multitask, and manage their time effectively.

"Arlekino"'s members at work

“Working with children allows you to more accurately analyze human relationships, competently resolve conflicts, quickly adapt depending on the situation, and also helps redirect your thoughts to creation and the desire to see the good in others,” Nadezhda concluded.

Egor Yurygin, a student at the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Municipal Services, added that working as a camp counselor also helps develop communication skills.

"When I entered the university, I was a very closed person, I hardly communicated with those around me, as they did with me. I understood that I needed to fight this complex. Having become a student, I nevertheless came to know a couple of guys from my group. I joined the student squad with one of them. Frankly, we had no solid motives, and the pedagogical direction was completely alien: we just decided to approach the wonderful girls-agitators and wonder. However, later we seriously became fighters of this squad. The desire to work in this field appeared on its own. And then I remembered how in my school years children were always drawn to me, there was hope for a successful activity. And the change of activity attracted me, there is a certain romance in it," Egor said.

An SPbGASU graduate and first-year student at the Institute of Part-Time Studies, Anastasia Ponomareva, added that working as a camp counselor gives the opportunity to immerse oneself in the carefree times of childhood, to feel the atmosphere of a children's camp, but in a new role.

"It's great to see the children's smiles, their sincere reaction to what you organize for them. It's touching to watch the farewell moments at the end of the shift and how the children you were a counselor for several years ago grow up. Working as a counselor, you understand how different children are. Working with them is a huge and responsible job, but also an invaluable life experience!" shared Anastasia.

She worked not only in children's health camps, but also under special programs in city specialized camps, at visiting meetings of the Yunarmiya, in medical camps. "During camp shifts, each fighter or several fighters have their own squad of children. We monitor discipline, adherence to the daily routine, organize children's leisure, and also prepare concerts, festivals, and theme games together with the teaching staff of the camp," Anastasia specified.

"Svoboda": by developing children, we develop ourselves

SPS "Svoboda"

Second-year student of the Faculty of Civil Engineering Sofia Sidorova believes that during their studies, most people have not yet decided what exactly they want to do in the future, so during their student years they want to try everything.

"Even if you intend to work in your specialty, you can try yourself in another profession during your years of study. And at the same time spend the summer at the sea, which also serves as a strong motivation. At eighteen or nineteen years old, you want to remain children for a longer time, have fun, and this is only possible when surrounded by children, respectively, in pedagogical squads. During shifts, we are responsible not only for the physical, but also for the psychological health of children, for their good mood. In addition to the obvious control over compliance with the camp regime and rules, the counselor must create a warm atmosphere of trust within the squad, mentor the children and ignite their interest in a variety of activities. The guys in the squad can always rely on us, because the counselor must be an example and support who will always help with advice and action. You are obliged to resolve children's conflicts quickly and impartially, help resolve any problems that arise and always be ready to stand up for your guys. “A camp counselor is the image of an ideal adult who should teach and inspire children by his example,” Sofia is convinced.

"Svoboda" fighters during the shift

Although she does not plan to connect her professional activity with teaching, she is interested in interacting with children, and the work of a counselor helps her to better understand their psychology. “You constantly discover something new in children, and you yourself pass on your experience to them. This is fascinating and useful communication. In addition to working directly with children, you can develop your own creative abilities, for example, in choreography, vocals, playing the guitar. Thanks to the pedagogical squads, I have become more open to people, more stress-resistant and tolerant. I have begun to better understand the motives and actions of others and take an interest in psychology,” concluded Sofia.