There are moments you never forget. That first day at camp with butterflies in your stomach. That night game that felt like a real adventure. That quiet conversation with your monitor just before falling asleep, that calmed you without many words.
At English Summer S.A., we witness it every year: children arrive full of excitement (and sometimes a little scared), and they leave with memories that will last a lifetime. What’s the secret? It’s not just the activities, or the English lessons, or the natural surroundings. It’s the people who walk beside them. It’s the monitors.
Because at a camp, a good monitor doesn’t just look after or entertain. They educate, guide, inspire, listen… and leave a mark.
Monitors: much more than activity leaders
Sometimes people think a monitor’s role is just to organize games, keep the daily rhythm, or make sure everyone is safe. And yes, that’s part of it. But when it’s done well, a monitor’s role is profoundly educational.
A good monitor becomes:
A model of positive behavior
An emotional reference point children can turn to
A bridge between the group and each individual, caring for the little things
A catalyst for meaningful experiences children will never forget
In other words, monitors are true educational agents in leisure time. They don’t teach with books, but with their presence, with their attitude, with how they connect with others.
What does it mean to be an educational role model?
When we talk about a “role model,” we don’t mean someone perfect. We mean someone real, approachable, human. Someone who listens without judging, who teaches without imposing, who inspires through consistency.
Children learn a lot through imitation. And during a summer camp, where you live together day and night, monitors become that mirror to look into. What they do and say matters more than any speech.
An educational role model:
Shows respect, empathy, and patience
Acknowledges their mistakes and knows how to say sorry
Supports without overwhelming, corrects without humiliating
Celebrates each child’s small achievements
And they do all this naturally, effortlessly. Because the best learning happens when no one realizes they’re learning.
The educational value of free time
Today, we talk a lot about educational innovation, active methodologies, emotional intelligence… And sometimes we forget that free time is also a privileged setting for education.
Camps—especially those that combine fun activities with language learning, like those at English Summer S.A.—offer the perfect environment to:
Boost autonomy and self-esteem
Promote coexistence and inclusion
Develop real social skills
Learn to manage emotions, frustration, and conflicts
And all this happens organically, thanks to the essential role of the monitors, who know how to spot when a child needs a nudge, a hug, or simply to feel seen.
How we do it at English Summer S.A.
In our camps, we leave nothing to chance. We know that the quality of the people leading the experience is what makes the difference between a fun summer and a life-changing one.
That’s why:
We select our monitors based on both professional and personal criteria: we look for responsible, empathetic people with a passion for education.
We train them before each season in key areas: emotional management, group dynamics, conflict prevention, first aid, positive communication…
We support them throughout the camp, working as a team with coordinators, teachers, and the management staff to help them bring out their best.
Because to care well for others, you first need to feel cared for and supported yourself.
The small gestures that change big things
A shy child who dares to speak English because their monitor encouraged them without pressure.
A girl who learns to say sorry after an argument because she saw her monitor resolve a conflict with respect.
A teenager who feels part of a group for the first time thanks to their monitor’s warm welcome from day one.
They may seem like small moments. But together, they build something big: trust, safety, self-esteem, and a sense of belonging.
And that’s education. With a capital E.
When children remember the monitor more than the game
Sometimes families write to us after camp and say:
“My son still talks about his monitor like he was an older brother.”
"My daughter came back stronger and more confident than ever.”
“Thank you. Not just for taking care of them, but for making them feel important.”
And then it’s clear: the true value of a camp lies in its people. And the monitors are, without a doubt, the soul of that experience.
In conclusion: an unforgettable summer starts with a role model who makes it possible
At English Summer S.A., we’re looking for people who want to connect, accompany, and educate naturally and lovingly. Because we know that what truly lasts after a camp are the memories, the emotions, and the bonds created.
And when a monitor does this from the heart, it shows. And it stays forever.