Children’s summer camps were run in all 3 Beacon school initiative target schools from August 1 to 31, 2013to give students new and fun learning experiences to keep their minds active over the school vacation.~ The summer camp arranged activities around six topics:English, Science, History, Writing, Arts, and IT. All activities encouraged active participation and were planned using ideas from the children involved and focused on learning by doing.

English language was new to nearly all of the students, however, students had fun participating in games such as memory games and also produced a book on their lives in Khmer and English and were able to read and understand simple English books. In the Science students were engaged in entertaining hands-on experiments such as separation of primary and secondary colours and using easy to find materials such as water and balloons.

In Art camp students experienced new and interesting drawing techniques and made connections between shapes and measurements and the use of straight lines, scribbling, and colors. Students were also introduced to the Pablo Picasso Style of Art. In the IT club they learnt a number of computer skills including how to use Unicode.

Meanwhile in the History camp, they chose to learn and more about the architecture of Khmer Ancient Temples.They were interested to know that this is the largest religious monument in the world and how it became the national symbol of Cambodia - appearing in its national flag. They also learnt about neighboring countries that are part of ASEAN.

One grade 8 student realized the importance of working in groups and having fun while learning. She said “now I am confident and can make good presentations much better and can create presentation slideshows”.

Activities were run by youth interns during their break from universities in Phnom Penh. Phearum, one of the interns and core summer camp leaders said that over the four weeks of the camp the 90+ students involved showed real changes in confidence levels. “They were very open in their discussions and were so interested in learning through activities which allowed them to voice their own ideas. The students involved have already requested BSI to hold the Camp again next year!”.

Soeung Vann, the Project Manager, said that the summer camp accepted students from other schools to attend the course. This allowed them to disseminate the progress BSI was making and this will attract more students to attend in the coming school year. The Beacon School Initiative (BSI) is funded by the OakTree Foundation, based in Australia and run exclusively by young people aged under26 years old. 

This project, which supports youth through the generosity of Australian youth has been implemented by KAPE since 2011 and is due to finish in 2014. It is transforming three selected public schools in Kampong Cham into anew generation of schools which show high learning standards, strong governance and teacher professional development. The schools have also received additional support from the IBEC project funded by USAID and implemented by World Education and KAPE, including in water, sanitation and construction.