In August this year, The Human Safety Net and the Home Start Foundation organized for the second summer in a row a parent-child camp. The focus of the week-long event was for parents and children to participate in programmes, relax, and focus on themselves and their goals.
The Beginnings
The idea of the parent-child camp was first realized last year by The Human Safety Net and the Home Start Foundation. Encouraged by the success of the 2023 camp, the goal for 2024 was to support more families with the donations collected through a fundraiser.
The aim was for parents and their children to spend this week not only having fun but also recharging and developing. While the children participated in sports or creative activities, parents could acquire skills that can help them return to the workforce after leaving it to raise children. This year, nearly 100 parents and children participated in the programmes of the camp held at the Generali Educational Centre in Budapest.
A colorful programme variety
Kempo, bead threading, music sessions, physical tasks, financial education, stress management, career coaching, style advice, yoga, folk dance – at the camp, everyone could find the perfect activity for themselves during the week-long event.
It was particularly important for the organizers that participation in the events would help both children and parents develop in a given area. Additionally, the aimed on topics such as balancing work and private life, personal career building, family communication, self-awarness and the difficulties faced by single parents. This year, more physical and body-awareness programs were included for parents.
Another special feature of the camp this year was that the workshops and development programmes were conducted by Generali volunteers. This time, 18 volunteers participated in the event, sharing their specific knowledge acquired alongside their work with both children and adults.
“I am still recharging from this one week!”
Feedback from participants showed that these days were exceptionally successful for parents – the main reason, according to the responses, was that parents could also relax and develop during these five days.
“The children changed a lot, they became more independent. Due to familiar faces, there was even deeper trust. Topics related to parenting came up that needed to be discussed.”
“I could calmly participate in programs (since I had my child, this hasn’t really happened).”
“It’s not new, but it always surprises me how much parents and children need to connect with other families. The children clung less to their parents, and the parents could focus on their own lives, bring up their problems and doubts. I felt that many had a great need to talk, share, and ask for help.”