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Teaching English In Poland

The 2024 TEIP applications are closed.

Please e-mail us with any questions: teip@thekf.org

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Refer to the bottom of the page to learn about Program details.

BASZNIA (SOUTHERN POLAND )

Camp Dates: 07.01.2024-07.14.2024

Volunteers: arrival date: June 29th (Cracow) and departure date July 16th (Cracow)

Number and age of participants : 33 Ukrainian students and 55-60 Polish students

Camp format: English lessons and other activities 5 days a week, from Monday to Friday. Weekends are free for all participants, organizing activities for American volunteers: bicycle rallies, trips by bus in the surrounding forest complexes, historical buildings, visiting the museum in Lubaczów the Polish-Ukrainian border crossing, barbecues. Polish staff from the Lubaczów Commune will cooperate with our American guests to enable any form of language classes.

Facilities and equipment
We have 5 classrooms at your disposal with tables, chairs and a multimedia studio. We have sports facilities (sports hall, sports complex “orlik”). We have various types of sports equipment. In the “Pastorówki” building in the neighboring village of Podlesie, American staff will stay in two-person rooms with bathrooms. Our school canteen serves typical regional meals.

Transport
All matters related to transport to and from the camp will be organized by Polish staff in accordance with the need of our guests.

TRIPS
We are able to offer the following trips within the program:
As a part of our camp, we can organize the following trips:
– a trip to the concentration camp – museum in Bełżec
– a trip to Zamość
– a trip to Przemyśl and the arboretum in Przemyśl
– a trip to Sandomierz, Baranów Sandomierski, Krzyżtopór
– a trip to Łańcut
– visiting the Bieszczady Mountains.

We also offer:
– integration actovities at the beginning of the camp
– Nordic walking and cycling tours
– football, volleyball, tennis
We have experience in cooperation with educational institutions in Europe, as we participated for nearly 10 years in the implementation of COMENIUS and ERASMUS projects.

Lean more about the TEIP program from our video series.

Thank You to Our TEIP Volunteers from the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw!

Your dedication as TEIP volunteers has truly made a lasting impact on the lives of many. These efforts have been highlighted by the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw. Watch the video below, where Jeanne Briganti, Cultural Attaché at the Embassy, expresses her appreciation for your work on behalf of the entire Embassy team.

Volunteers’ Testimonies:

TEIP is a unique English teaching program organized by The Kosciuszko Foundation Poland and The Kosciuszko Foundation, Inc. in New York. The program is centered around American volunteers who come to chosen summer camps all around Poland to teach English to children and to familiarize them with American culture through sports, art, and cultural projects.Teachers of all subject areas and levels are encouraged to apply. Teaching assistants can be college students, retirees, business people, former military, or anyone who has an interest in experiencing living and teaching in Poland. Read our volunteers’ testimony:

“TEIP has allowed me to learn about the history and culture of Poland while getting to work with some absolutely amazing Polish students and staff. The kids are so eager to learn and the staff is incredibly helpful. Thanks to TEIP I’ve made lifelong friends both in Poland and all over the US that I’m truly thankful for.“

– Jeff M.

“…Words cannot express how much we would like to thank those who provided the funding for this TEIP camp for Ukrainian students. Ocypel offered a much needed break for these students and offered them time just to be kids with other kids who were experiencing the same things. In a country where they are outsiders and “foreign”, these students found a refuge in Ocypel where they could be proud Ukrainian teenagers and share that pride with us and others. We all look forward to the day when we can have a few reunion celebrations—in a free and peaceful Ukraine...” – Kaeli E., Cael M., Jeff M., Kristin M.

Check out the classes taught by native speakers and expert webinars for English language teachers, recorded as part of the TEIP online edition, on our Youtube channel.

Program details

During two summer weeks, we provide Polish students and Ukrainian refugee students with an opportunity to improve their language skills. They learn under the careful eye of experienced American teachers (around a dozen volunteers at each camp) who conduct workshops in small groups. Teachers are supervised by a leader responsible for making sure the program runs smoothly and effectively. Teachers, accompanied by their assistants, organize interactive classes that enable Polish and Ukrainian students to enrich their vocabulary connected to culture, history, geography, American customs, and traditions. Language immersion is key here – we encourage students to let go of any barriers in speaking and to let themselves communicate freely. There is no better way to achieve that than spending a summer vacation with native speakers.

Singing American rock classics with a guitar in hand? Building a small summer paper factory and publishing your own book? Learning American dances, how to play the ukulele? Or maybe preparing Polish, Ukrainian and American dishes together? Taking part in the TEIP program is an exciting adventure

Managing TEIP requires a lot of effort – especially since our team works on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. This is how we share and divide tasks at different stages of the project:

The American TEIP team (leader coordinator together with The Kosciuszko Foundation Inc.)

Application: choosing volunteers, who will come to Poland,
preparing engaging, interactive classes for camp participants,
a workshop dedicated to American and Polish leaders – everyone is coming to Warsaw,
organizing the arrival of volunteers in Poland and…
…sharing knowledge and positive energy with kids during their summer vacation!

Kosciuszko Foundation Poland

Connecting American volunteers with Polish camp organizers,
choosing and preparing locations for the camps,
organizing workshops and webinars for Polish and American leaders,
overseeing the quality of projects carried out during camps,
preparing a publication on teaching foreign languages outside the classroom.

Polish camp organizers (schools, cultural institutions, social organizations)

Selecting camp participants (children, school students) and teams of Polish educators (preferably English language teachers),
participating in a dedicated workshop with American leaders and the Kosciuszko Foundation Poland team,
providing room and board, as well as adequate teaching and learning conditions for Polish, Ukrainian and American staff and children,
organizing the arrival of Americans at the camp and a 3-day trip after the camp, which will enable them to get to know the region and Polish culture better,
making sure that volunteers feel at home, have numerous opportunities to get to know Polish and Ukrainian customs and culture, and are equipped with adequate teaching tools and support.

The Kosciuszko Foundation’s Teaching English in Poland Program is currently recruiting American teachers and American teaching assistants as volunteers for its 2024 Summer Camps.

Do I have to be of Polish descent to participate?

Absolutely not! One of the things we love about the TEIP Program is teaching participants about the amazing country of Poland! We welcome all participants, whether they have Polish roots or know nothing about Poland. Our students appreciate getting to know the diversity of the United States.

Do I need to speak Polish to participate?

No! It’s actually beneficial to our students if you don’t speak Polish (although we certainly welcome you if you do)! We try to give our campers a fully immersive English experience, and sticking to English the whole time makes the camp experience even more beneficial and authentic for them. At times when we’re not with students, we travel with a translator who will make sure you understand and are understood in all situations.

Do I need to be a licensed, K-12 teacher to participate?

We have two types of participants: teachers and teaching assistants. Our teaching assistants come to us from all walks of life and all ages–from college students to retirees and everything in between! Teaching assistants offer their life experiences and cultural knowledge while they are assisting in classrooms. Our teachers come from all fields and kinds of instruction. We have had successful teachers in our program who were preschool teachers, university professors, corporate trainers, dance instructors, guidance counselors, military officers, and many more. If you know how to deliver an engaging, student-centered lesson, we’d love you on our team!

If I’m accepted, what does the “registration and insurance fee” cover?

Since we are a non-profit, the registration and insurance fee helps us to cover our insurance and administrative expenses both in the U.S. and in Poland. With this fee, we purchase insurance for every staff member while in Poland. The insurance we purchase covers emergency medical situations and evacuations.

The Kosciuszko Foundation

Is this a for-profit program?

The TEIP Program is fully non-profit! The program is administered by the non-profit, 501(c)(3) Kosciuszko Foundation. Since 1925 the Kosciuszko Foundation has been dedicated to promoting educational and cultural exchanges between the United States and Poland, and to increasing American understanding of Polish culture and history.

Poland

Is Poland safe?

Yes! Poland is a member of the European Union and a modern, European country. Overall crime rates in Poland (both violent and nonviolent) are significantly lower than in the United States.

Is Poland expensive?

Most things in Poland are at least a little cheaper than in the U.S. You will find your dollar stretches just a little farther in Poland. Once you are in Poland, meals, tours, and accommodations will be provided at no charge to you. You may want to bring some pocket money for things like snacks and souvenirs, however.

Is the program free?

What do you pay for/what do I pay for? The host camps pay for all of your basic needs once you’re in Poland: lodging, food, tours, entrance fees, transportation, etc. for the duration of the camps and for the three-day tour after camps.

You pay for your airfare to Poland as well as the insurance fee through the Kosciuszko Foundation.

Accompanying persons will be asked to pay for their portion of the after-camp tours, this usually amounts to between $250-$500. The amount will be calculated by the Polish camp director prior to camp and will be communicated to the volunteer traveling with the accompanying person.

Do I need a visa to enter Poland?

No. You only need a passport to enter Poland for camp. You will need a passport that expires January of 2025 or later to be given entry into Poland.

Our Camps

Do I meet you at camp? How do I get to Poland? How do I get around Poland?

Our camps designate a central meeting area and time in a major city/airport (usually Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, or Rzeszów) near the camp for the American staff to gather in Poland. You book your own transportation to Poland/the meeting point, and then the camp will provide all transportation, lodging, and food in Poland from that time until the time of departure.

What does a typical day look like for American staff?**

A typical day for all staff starts with breakfast provided by the camp. Classes typically start somewhere between 8 and 9 depending on the camp. The major meal of the day in Poland is lunch, provided by the camp, somewhere between 1 and 2 p.m. A light dinner is then served in the evening after camp is over. In the evenings, your hosts may provide a small activity, or you may be given free time to explore your new surroundings.

**All camps’ schedules vary slightly. Olsztynek has a very different format. See Olsztynek section below for more information.

A teacher’s typical day starts with classes in the morning. Class sizes are typically around 15 students. After lunch, teachers have time to plan and organize for the next day’s lessons. All necessary materials (within reason) will be provided by the camp organizers if requests are made ahead of camp. Teachers are welcome (although not required) to participate in afternoon activities in most camps.

A teaching assistant’s(TA’s) typical day starts with assisting with class activities as needed in the morning and setting up for afternoon activities and games with the students. After lunch, the teaching assistants run English-based games, activities, crafts, and sports for the campers. This is a great time for the campers to practice their English in a low-pressure setting, and a wonderful opportunity for the TAs to get to know the campers even more.

How is the Olsztynek Camp different?

The Olsztynek Camp’s format is different in that teachers conduct shorter workshops at different times throughout the camp. During these workshops, teachers share an area of expertise with the students in English (American architecture, karate, and dance are just a few that have been given in the past). When they are not teaching, teachers are participating in activities in English with the campers. Olsztynek is a very active camp! Activities can range from hiking to kayaking and sailing.

Where do we stay during camp?

Accommodations are usually hostel-style at or near the camp. Families/family members will be housed together (or separately on request). Some locations house staff at the school where camp takes place, while others will house teachers in a nearby hostel. All facilities will have Wi-Fi, linens, laundry capabilities or services, and at least a small kitchen for preparing and storing snacks and coffee.

What do my weekends look like? While this varies from camp to camp, weekends are usually your time to explore the local area. Host camps typically offer a couple of small activities on the weekends but give you time to relax or explore. We have had staff members who use the weekend to go visit an ancestral village, do some shopping, or simply relax around camp.

What does the end-of-camp tour look like? The purpose of the tour is to introduce American staff to the culture and history of the local region in Poland. Travel for the tour is typically done by chartered motor coach or train/bus, depending on the size of the group. The tours visit castles, museums and other historical locations as well as sites that introduce program participants to the unique culture and handicrafts of the region. Accommodations will be provided in hostels along the way, and meals during the tour will be provided by the Polish hosts.

I have a special diet–can you accommodate me?

In short, if you can find food to eat when dining out at restaurants in the US, your diet can most likely be accommodated in Poland. Our Polish hosts try their hardest to meet your dietary needs, and common diets like vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free are not a problem. Combination diets such as gluten-free AND vegan may be harder to accommodate and may require some flexibility or pre-planning on your part.

Haven’t found what you were looking for. E-mail us with your questions. We will be happy to assist!

teip@thekf.org

Summer camps

In 2024 we plan to organize 9 camps. Besides Miłakowo, Olsztynek, Kraków, Cieszanow, Rakszawa, Basznia and Zab we will have two new location – Mikolajki and Zakopane. You will find location descriptions below.

TEIP offers two types of camps: residential camps and day camps. Teachers are encouraged to teach English through their areas of expertise. We have taught conversational English via STEM, cooking, art, American sports, music, history, and folklore just to name a few. Teaching assistants share their knowledge of American sport, arts, and activities.

CAMP LOCATIONS & DATES

MIŁAKOWO
(NORTHERN POLAND)

Camp Dates: 07.01.2024 — 07.12.20024

Volunteers: arrival date and departure date-TBA

Number and age of participants : 85 students (45 Ukrainian students and 40 Polish students). Age of participants: 12-16 years old.

Camp format: learning English and other activities 5 days a week, from Monday to Friday. Weekends are free for all participants, with the possibility of organizing activities for American volunteers. Teaching and learning English is always tied to other activities, such as workshops, expeditions or sports. The Polish staff at Miłakowo will work with our American guests to make any form of language classes possible.

Facilities and equipment
Our school is a spacious venue surrounded by a large green area where our sports facilities are located. There are 3 gyms in the school building as well. We also have a modern, well equipped science lab and a mini conference hall, Wi-Fi and other necessary equipment.We can offer accommodation for students in the adapted classrooms and some single or double rooms for the American volunteers.

Transport. We are glad to take care of all the necessary transport arrangements. Please note that Gdansk and Olsztyn airports are quite close to our town and might be more convenient, but we can also arrange transfers from Warsaw.

Summer camps
During the summer period, our school hosts various camps, including international school exchanges. We offer accommodation for up to 80 participants and a spacious canteen which serves nutritious meals, including vegan and vegetarian options upon request.

Trips
We can organize the following trips within the program:
– a tour of the medieval Malbork castle, also at night;
– a trip to Olsztyn (waterpark, springboard park, rope course in the forest);
– kayaking on Krutynia River;
– a tour of Gdansk (Old Town, Shakespeare Theater, WWII Museum, Solidarity Centre, Westerplatte Museum).We also propose the following activities within Miłakowo:
– Integration activities at the beginning of the camp;
– learning our Polish national dance – the Polonez;
– dance workshops (Latin dances or zumba with a coach);
– singing workshops;
– painting workshops;
– nordic walking and cycling;
– football and volleyball.After the camp, we propose visit to Toruń or a kayaking expedition on the Krutynia River. We are open to other suggestions from our American volunteers. Miłakowo is a town (3 thousand inhabitants) in the Warmia and Mazury area, famous for its pristine natural parks and numerous tourist attractions. The town is located amidst the lakes and hills covered with forests and meadows. It is close to Gdańsk, Malbork, Olsztyn and Frombork.Our students are keen to learn English. This would be their first contact with American teachers and volunteers. We are very happy to join the Teaching English in Poland Program family again this year!Check out our video from our camp in 2019:
2019 Summer Language School Miłakowo – Kościuszko Foundation – YouTube
MIŁAKOWO – 24.06-5.07.2019 cz.II – YouTube

OLSZTYNEK
(NORTHERN POLAND)

Camp Dates: 06.24.2024 – 07.04.2024

Volunteers: departure date: 07.08.2024

Number and age of participants: 138 Polish students. Age of participants: 15-17 years old.

Camp format: The EFC Foundation camp lasts for nine days and takes place in the lovely Warmia region around Olsztynek, filled with lakes and wild nature. It is dedicated to the Horizons Scholarship Program students from all around Poland, who study under the care of the EFC Foundation. Among numerous activities (sailing, swimming, bike trips, hiking and other sports, photography classes, workshops etc.), scholars learn English. The weekends are off for everyone. American teachers are encouraged to take part in all activities available to scholars and the Polish staff, in order to make the cultural and language exchange between children and volunteers fuller and more enjoyable.

Facilities and equipment
The Perkoz Recreational Center has a low-key, typically Polish vibe and is a spacious spot located in several buildings, with the food hall and conference halls located in the main building. It is located right beside a beautiful lake in the middle of the forest. It offers all sports equipment imaginable (bikes, sailing boats, kayaks, volleyball, football), a separate office space for the Polish staff which Americans can use if they need WIFI or printing. The American staff sleeps in their own building with shared bathrooms. The food offered is typically Polish, with vegetarian and vegan options available. All in all, there is space for everyone and everything.

Transport
Maciej Ziółkowski, the program coordinator at the EFC Foundation, is responsible for transport arrangements. All teachers will be transported to the camp from Warsaw by a rented bus. The EFC’s role ends in Gdańsk (t.b.c.), where volunteers will complete their post-camp trip and where they have good opportunities for flights back home or further.

TRIPS
We are able to offer the following trips within the program:
– A night tour of the medieval castle in Malbork (the largest in Europe)
– A tour of Gdańsk (Old Town, Shakespeare Theater, WWII Museum, Solidarity Centre, Westerplatte Museum).If you want to find out more about last year’s camp, check out the EFC Foundation’s videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdODcnVhlU4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMtqj_6ZYfsFind out more about the Foundation at: www.efc.edu.pl/en/

MIKOLAJKI
(NORTHERN POLAND)

Camp Dates: 06.24.2024-07. 05. 2024

Volunteers: departure date: 07.08.2024

Number and age of participants: 30 Polish students.

All American volunteers are asked to arrive at and depart from Warsaw. They will be transported to and from the camp.

We are a complex of an elementary and high school in Mikołajki, a town situated in the north-east Poland.

The region is called Mazury (The Masurian Lake District ) and it is one of Poland’s most touristic regions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qqOHtFGwB8

The high school was established in 1990 by a group of local enthusiasts seeking an alternative to public (state) education. In 2014 the school’s offer was extended and now it includes both elementary school (students aged 7-15) and high school (students aged 16-19).

The English language is taught throughout both educational stages, with students reaching B1 level at the end of elementary school and B2/C1 level at the end of high school. The students also learn German starting from class 1 of the elementary school. The schools are part of a nationwide educational association called Społeczne Towarzystwo Oświatowe with seat in Warsaw.

https://www.facebook.com/slo.mikolajki

https://www.instagram.com/sto_mikolajki/?fbclid=IwAR1ZyIDtLZirD8ge1i7bZ0hmxkdYqhuEj QR-bIXkz5bpQOegivgKbeewqho

Mazury offers an inland waterways sailing route, which is one of the longest in Europe, plus numerous other attractions and activities for nature lovers, including hundreds of kilometers of cycling lanes, nature reserves, lakes with crystal clear water, unique kayaking routes. There are also well preserved historical building, including the network of castles erected by the Teutonic Order in the Middle Ages, remains of one of Hitler’s War Headquarters (The Wolf’s Den) with a museum to name just a few.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CAO8EiIPz4

The school compound features a three story building with a canteen, a gym and a playground. There are 20 classrooms equipped with either interactive boards or interactive monitors – a couple of green-boards and chalk can also be found. There is also a computer classroom with 15 workstations and a mobile station of 16 laptops. The school building offers cable and WiFi broadband internet connection.

BASZNIA (SOUTHERN POLAND )

Camp Dates: 07.01.2024-07.14.2024

Volunteers: arrival date and departure date-TBA

Number and age of participants : 30 Ukrainian students.

Transport
All matters related to transport to and from the camp will be organized by Polish staff in accordance with the need of our guests.

“World Around Intercultural Primary School”

Summer Camp in Kraków

SUMMER CAMP (SOUTH -EASTERN POLAND)

Camp Dates: 06.24.2024-07.05.2024

Volunteers: departure date: 07.11.2024

Number and age of participants: 100 Polish students.

Academos is a private primary school established in 2009. Since then, it has been known locally as a place that celebrates both individualism and diversity.

By educating future citizens of a united and democratic world, we strive to equip our students with skills and knowledge which will allow them to enter adulthood fully aware of their rights and responsibilities. We wish to help shape open-minded individuals, who are able to appreciate cultural diversity and successfully face the challenges of the 21st century.

With this in mind, we have created a curriculum which focuses not only on teaching children English, but also on boosting their culture awareness. To achieve the former, we offer a variety of ESL classes taught both by Polish instructors and native speakers, so that by the age of 10 our students’ language proficiency allows them to function in English in everyday situations on a communicative level.

We build culture awareness by:

extending the learning experience beyond the school year by hosting the TEIP English Language – American Culture camp during the summer holidays;
organizing British and American celebrations (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas);
conducting British and American history and literature classes;
participating in student exchange programs abroad;

fostering international friendships among students by organizing Skype lessons and pen pal exchange with schools all over the world.

In recognition of our achievements to date, in 2016 we became a member of the UNESCO Associated Schools Network.

Our school is part of the umbrella organization called Prywatne Akademickie Centrum Kształcenia (PACK, for short). It includes a Polish and an international primary school, an IB school and a Polish high school. It was the high school which was formed first in 1993 under the direction of Jerzy Waligóra, who is still the principal.

For the past five years, our school has had the honor of hosting the Kosciuszko Foundation TEIP camp, which has proved a great success among students and parents.

Every year, an amazing team of Americans comes to Cracow to teach Polish children about various aspects of American culture and the English language, such as:

American history;
American symbols and sights;
American animals and habitats;
English language through drama;
American celebrations and holiday traditions;
American sports and outdoor games.

The camp has now grown to 100 students who are eager to embark on their American experience in Cracow.

The old medieval city of Krakow is a great place to be with its imposing castle, many ancient monuments and churches, intriguing little streets and museums and the beautiful Vistula river flowing through the center of the city. It also has the largest and the most remarkably well preserved medieval square in Europe. Cracow is also a center of education with 200,000 students attending its 27 institutes of higher education. It is a very friendly place, with English being very widely spoken.

Find more at:
http://worldaroundschool.edu.pl/
http://academos.krakow.pl/

RAKSZAWA SUMMER CAMP (SOUTH-EASTERN)

Camp Dates: 06.27.2024 — 7.10.2024

Volunteers: arrival date and departure date-TBA

Number and age of participants: 50 Polish students. Age of participants: 12-15 years of age.

Program: learning English and other activities 5 days a week, from Monday to Friday. Weekends are free for all participants, with the possibility of organizing activities for American volunteers. Teaching and learning English is always tied to other activities, such as workshops, expeditions or sports. The Polish staff at Rakszawa will work with our American guests to make any form of language classes possible.Learning center and equipment:“RAKOWISKO” is a year-round shelter. We offer the following accommodation:
●      Rooms with bathrooms (one bathroom for every two rooms – shower, washstand, WC)
● Tourist standard rooms (shared bathroom on every floor)At our guests’ disposal:● Fully equipped, self-service kitchens with a dining space (one on every floor);
●     Conference room (fit for 30-40 people);
●      Three self-service laundries with drying rooms;
●      Storage room;
●      Catering facilities with kitchen and dining room fit for 120 people;
●     Parking for cars and coaches;
●      Free WI-FI.
Moreover, there is a possibility to use our sports center, theatre room (located in the adjacent school building) and two gyms.
Rooms can be viewed under the following link: http://www.zstg.pl/schronisko/web/galeriaTransport:
All matters regarding transportation to and from the camp will be organized by the Polish staff according to our guests’ needs. Arranging transport from airports located in Cracow and Rzeszów are the most reasonable options.

Trips:
As part of our summer camp program we offer:
1)    Three-four days trip: Castle in Łańcut (https://www.zamek-lancut.pl/en/), Kraków, salt mine museum in Wieliczka, concentration camp in Oświęcim.Other activities:
●   Integration activities at the beginning of the camp;
●      Bonfire;
●      Dancing workshops;
●     Singing workshops;
●      Nordic Walking;
●      Soccer;
●      Volleyball

About the region:
Rakszawa is a large village nested in the valley of the picturesque Młynówka stream. It is located 11km north of Łańcut. The village was most likely settled in the XVI century.
Places worth visiting in Rakszawa:
●     Church under the invocation of the Holy Cross Elevation;
●     Historic wood and brick tavern (Rakszawa Rąbane) from the XIXth century, rebuilt in 1905;
●     Historic landscape area – Brzeźnik, formerly belonging to the Łańcut lands;
●     Typical old cottages and country farms (XIXth and XXth century);
●      Antique wayside shrines (XVIIIth and XIXth century);
●     The monument of Wincenty Witos, a famous Polish politician, which commemorates his stay in Rakszawa during mass gatherings of peasants in the years 1933-1934;
●      Monument of Poles and Jews murdered by Nazis;
●     Grunwald cross set in 1910 on the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Grunwald.
Photos of the Rakszawa Commune:
http://rakszawa.pl/asp/pl_start.asp?typ=14&menu=226&strona=1&sub=330
Our students are very excited to study English with American teachers. This summer camp would be their first opportunity to meet U.S. volunteers. We will be more than happy to join the Kościuszko Foundation’s program.

SUMMER CAMP IN ZAKOPANE (SOUTHERN POLAND)

CAMP DATES-07.06.2024-07.16.2024

Volunteers : arrival date : July. 04. 2024 and return date : 07.20.2024.

There will be 40 Polish children during the camp. All of them come from a disadvantaged Warsaw district called Targówek. 20 of them come from financially and socially disadvantaged families and another half from well-off families with some socio-emotional deficits. The Polish staff is professionally trained to work with these children who are now covered by a special extramural educational program.

The Society of Friends of Children Brochure

SUMMER CAMP IN CIESZANÓW (SOUTH-EASTERN POLAND)

Camp Dates: 07.01.2024 – 07. 12.2024

Volunteers: departure date: 07.15.2024

Number and age of participants: 60 students (30 Polish students and 30 Ukrainian students).

Camp Program: English classes and other activities 5 days a week, from Monday to Friday. Weekends are free for all participants, with the possibility of organizing activities for American volunteers. Teaching and learning English is always tied to a range of exciting activities, including sports, crafts, music, and dance.The Polish staff will work with our American guests to provide help and assistance in any way needed.TRIPS:
As part of our summer camp program we offer:
Three days trip: Zamość- Roztocze National Park

OTHER ACTIVITIES:
● Integration activities at the beginning of the camp;

● Bonfire;

● Art workshop

● Music workshops

● Sport activities

● Kayaking

● Cookery workshop

● Activities and workshops organized in cooperation with local associations

Additional suggestions from the U.S. team are highly appreciated.

Accommodation for volunteers: a recreation complex called “Wędrowiec” (“Wanderer”) offering both leisure facilities and accommodation. 10 wooden summer houses for 6 people each, comprises of a compact kitchen, bedrooms and a bathroom with a shower. Located 200 m from the school building.

Some pictures are available in the following link:

https://www.komfortowynocleg.pl/index.php?page=details&object=45342

SCHOOL:

Primary School and Kindergarten Complex in Cieszanów is located in two buildings. The Kindergarten is for children who are from 3 to 6 years and Primary school is for children 6 to 15 years old.

School facilities:

· Extensive playground areas and sports facilities

· Well equipped classrooms (projectors or TV screens)

· Large gymnasium

· School canteen,

· Wi-Fi

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1S6b0hL-9pvJXxIi8g7Ss2ND0pb8-UJV9?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MNrFRQcRNAxyp8C78E2_byMMTLo6OTfx?usp=share_link

TRANSPORT: All matters regarding transportation to and from the camp will be organized by the Polish staff according to our guests’ needs. Arranging transport from airports located in Cracow and Rzeszów are the most reasonable options.

AREA

Cieszanów is a small town with history going back to the 16th century. It is located in the south eastern Poland, near the Ukrainian border. It has a population of about 2000 people. It has several religious monuments, including a rebuild synagogue and a Jewish cemetery, a Greek Catholic Church of St. George from 1900, as well as a Roman Catholic church. The neighborhood diversity of natural environment and abundance of beautiful landscapes − have resulted in the development of facilities related to tourism and recreation.

The nearest worth seeing towns:

Rzeszów- the largest city of south-eastern Poland, the capital of Podkarpackie Province

Łańcut- famous for Łańcut Castle Museum, located in one of the most beautiful aristocratic residences in Poland.

Zamość-the old city of Zamosc is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Przemyśl- since the war has broke out in Ukraine, the beautiful little city of Przemyśl, less than 10 miles from the Polish-Ukrainian border, has been transformed into a massive aid centre.

In summer 2022 our school hosted 30 children from Yavoriv, western Ukraine and 30 kids from Cieszanów commune. Ukrainian and Polish teens learnt about each other’s cultures and share experiences. The camp took place at Primary School in Cieszanów and was run by: the Kosciuszko Foundation and AFT, NATAN together with partners, Folkowisko Foundation, Hashomer Hatzair. The camp focused on using outdoor activities and informal English immersion to provide instructional support and normalcy for Ukrainian children facing displacement due to the war in Ukraine. In all participants’ opinion, it was an exceptional experience and they are looking forward to taking part in the next multicultural meeting.

OSA Summer Camp in Ząb (South Poland)

Camp Dates: 06.22.2024 – 06.30.2024

Volunteers: Post camp ends on 7.03.2024, volunteers can stay till 7.05.2024.

Number and age of participants: 75 students ( 35 Ukrainian students and 40 Polish students). Age of participants: 7-12 years old.

ORGANIZER:
Ogólnopolskie Stowarzyszenie Anglistów
„English Teaching”

CAMP PROGRAM:
English workshops , divided into 2 parts – in the morning and in the afternoon. Plus other activities every day. Teaching and learning English is always tied to a range of exciting activities, including sports, arts and crafts, music, and dance. The Polish staff will work with our American guests to provide help and assistance in any way needed.

TRIPS AND ATRACTIONS:
As part of our summer camp program we offer:
●    Bonfire with traditional cultural evening;
●    Art workshops;
●    Music workshops;
●    Sport activities and local trips to hot spring and Zakopane● Rafting on Dunajec river;

Additional suggestions from the U.S. team are highly appreciated.

ACCOMODATION FOR VOLUNTEERS:
Guest house “Staszelówka” offering both leisure facilities and accommodation. Beautiful, traditionally designed rooms with private bathrooms with a shower.
Some pictures are available in the following link:www.staszelowka.com.pl

FACILITIES:
· Playground areas and sports facilities
· Well equipped workshop rooms and additonal space outside (in case of perfect weather)
· canteen,
· Wi-Fi

TRANSPORT:
All matters regarding transportation to and from the camp will be organized by the Polish staff. Arranging transport from airports located in Cracow are the most reasonable options.

AREA: Ząb is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Poronin, within Tatra County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, in southern Poland. It lies approximately 5 kilometres (3 mi) west of Poronin, 5 km (3 mi) north of Zakopane, and 81 km (50 mi) south of the regional capital Kraków.The village known for the hometown of the famous skii jumper Kamil Stoch, has a lot more to offer. The picturesque surroundings of the village makes this place so unique. Imagine being in a place with stunning mountain views that take all the breath away. Even though Ząb is situated in some distance from the Zakopane, its location makes it possible to get to all of the most important attractions within a short amount of time. In the nearest area we find the most important facilities such as: shops, drugstores and restaurants.The nearest worth seeing towns: Kraków, Zakopane.

Links for 2022 Camps videos:https://fb.watch/i3BIhYWQE5/ https://fb.watch/i3BLCBlN0M/

Be prepared for the most wonderful week full of amazing experiences. No doubt you will understand why our motto is: professionalism and passion 🙂

In 1991, the Polish National Commission for UNESCO and the Polish Ministry of National Education invited the Kosciuszko Foundation to cooperate in meeting the growing English language needs of Polish youth after the fall of communism. The Kosciuszko Foundation developed the Teaching English in Poland Program (TEIP) to provide Polish high school students with vibrant and enriching interactive English language immersion experiences and practice in conversational English within an American cultural context at summer camps throughout Poland. It also incorporated principles of democracy, entrepreneurship, business etiquette and volunteerism to provide Polish students with the basic tools needed to ease the transition from communism to national independence and prepare them for participation in international arenas. From its inception the program was intended to give American teacher and student volunteers the opportunity to become acquainted with the people, history, language, culture and educational system of Poland.

The Polish National Commission for UNESCO bestowed its prestige and patronage to the project. It offered nationwide publicity for the program and would become an important vehicle for recruiting Polish students as evidenced by its record of promoting and sponsoring foreign language camps in Poland since the 1950’s.

The role of the Polish Ministry of National Education (MEN) was to fund the boarding school campuses and educational centers designated as camp sites, to compensate the Polish staffs required to work with the students and Americans, and to cover the costs related to the operation of the camps. Polish camp Directors (Administrators) would also receive funds to provide the American participants with a small stipend, classroom and extra-curricula facilities, room and board, experiences in Polish culture and life, complimentary excursions to local places of historical and cultural interest and an end-of-program tour.

It was determined that in order to execute the TEIP Program effectively, the Kosciuszko Foundation would have to rely on outside resources to financially support its role in the project. Its primary responsibilities for this program were to recruit, select and organize the American staff for each camp, arrange group flights to Poland, provide a program and curriculum guide and accident-medical insurance for its American participants and raise funds to cover basic costs related to launching the program. The TEIP Program was implemented by volunteer staffs of certified/experienced American teachers and student assistants recruited on a nationwide basis by the Kosciuszko Foundation.

The Western New York Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation recruited ten American teachers to implement the 1991 pilot program at a boarding school in Bydgoszcz. One hundred Polish students enrolled in the program that summer. In 1992, Christine B. Kuskowski, Kosciuszko Foundation member and Colorado and New York state educator and curriculum specialist, authored and presented the first official Teaching English in Poland Program and Curriculum Guide as a volunteer in preparation for leading an American staff and implementing the TEIP Program for high school students in Łomża. The Guide was also used by an American staff from the Western NY Chapter for launching the program at a camp in Ustka. This Guide was afterwards revised annually to accommodate the needs of American volunteers and Polish students and to keep in step with changing times and venues.

In 1993, the President of the Kosciuszko Foundation, Joseph E. Gore, Esq., appointed Christine B. Kuskowski as the Director of TEIP. As Director, Mrs. Kuskowski was responsible for publicity, communicating with Polish camp Directors, recruiting, selecting and notifying American participants, organizing camp staffs, updating the Program and Curriculum Guidelines, obtaining accident and medical insurance for KF participants, securing group flight accommodations, raising funds, and supervising the camps on-site. Under her vision and leadership, the program expanded rapidly reaching a record high of nine camps per year in 1995-1997 at various locations including boarding schools in: Gdańsk, Iława, Kraków, Limanowa, Łomża, Myślenice, Olsztyn, Płock, Przytok at Żielona Góra, Puławy, Tczew, Ustka, Warszawa and Zakopane.

At that time, it was presumed that the program would serve Polish high school students for only a few years. As studying the English language became a popular option in Polish schools, the TEIP Program grew in demand and was also opened to upper elementary and junior high school students. The curriculum and model for the upper elementary group was developed by Dr. Mary Kay Pieski in 1997 and was implemented at the Warsaw camp. For the first time, peer tutors were partnered with Polish students. The curriculum focused on assisting the students in refining their English language conversational skills, on motivating them to develop self-confidence while applying those skills, and on preparing them to engage in international endeavors.

As the English language became a popular foreign language in Polish schools, parents eagerly sent their children to TEIP camps. From 1998-2001, the Kosciuszko Foundation staffed six camps per summer. In 2001, the Educational Enterprise Foundation of Poland funded the program with 40,000 PLN enabling expansion to seven camps in 2002-2003 and four in 2004-2008. In 2003, the NIDA Foundation organized a six-day workshop for forty-one Polish teachers of English in cooperation with the Kosciuszko Foundation. Two American TESOL-ESL teacher-trainers were recruited by Mrs. Kuskowski to introduce current methodology in teaching English and in resolving contemporary classroom challenges. Mrs. Kuskowski and Anna Utecht, a former teacher certified in Poland who served as the assistant Director of TEIP, supervised the sessions held at a conference center near Warsaw. That year, Kent State and Marywood Universities offered graduate credit to American participants. During these later years, the Polish Ministry of National Education gradually reduced the number of camps in anticipation of possible budget cuts in 2009.

The Polish National Commission for UNESCO nominated Christine to be awarded the “Commission of National Education Medal of the Republic of Poland,” the highest award that the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Poland can bestow on an individual person for outstanding merit in the field of education… in appreciation for (her) personal contribution and devotion to the Kosciuszko Foundation Teaching English in Poland Program… for considerable accomplishments to promote educational and cultural relations between the United States and Poland…with thanks for that long-lasting collaboration”. She received the award at a ceremony that took place at the Polish Ministry of National Education in Warsaw on October 14, 2007.

During the program’s foundation years, Mrs. Kuskowski was assisted by Regional Coordinators United States Army Colonel Anthony J. Smaczniak (Retired) and Mrs. Theresa Rivard of the Western New York Chapter; Mr. Walter J. Kuskowski, a former Social Studies teacher in the New York City public schools and co –founder Polish American Teacher’s Association; and by several teachers including veteran Camp Staff leader Mary Kay Pieski who contributed valuable volunteer service. The efforts of the staff of the Kosciuszko Foundation Warsaw office Robert Kirkland, Agata Kwinto and Joseph Herter, were invaluable in facilitating the program’s pre-camp arrangements and on-going implementation at all TEIP locations in Poland.

In 2009, the Polish Ministry of National Education withdrew its financial support from all summer foreign language camps. As a result, The Kosciuszko Foundation accepted the invitation of two administrators of former camps, who were able to find independent support to organize camps at their sites in 2009 and 2010. In 2009, through the initiative of Mary Kay Pieski, the Foundation introduced the Arts Enriched English Language Camp for students thirteen to fifteen years of age at the Polish Scouts Organization’s (ZHP) educational, environmental, and recreational center, “Nadwarciański Gród”, located in Załęcze Wielkie. The Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Foundation supported the development of the Arts Enriched camp by providing over $14,000 in grant monies to purchase musical instruments. The traditional TEIP language and American culture program was also conducted simultaneously at that site for upper elementary school students. A camp for senior high school students was held at the Ks. Janusz St. Pasierb Associated Schools for Economics Campus in Tczew near the Baltic city of Gdańsk for the thirteenth consecutive year.

In 2010, the Arts Enriched English Language Camp at the ZHP site was expanded to accommodate students twelve through eighteen years of age. A camp for senior high students was held for the fourteenth consecutive year in Tczew. The NIDA Foundation of Poland (Nidzicka Fundacja Rozwoju) supported the program at both camps by enrolling sixty scholarship students.

In 2011, the fifteenth annual Camp at Tczew that was scheduled to continue did not take place. The Arts Enriched English Language Camp at Załęcze was conducted for the third consecutive year but for two separate groups of young people: twelve through fourteen and those fifteen through eighteen.

In 2012, the Arts Enriched English Language Camp was held at Załęcze for the fourth year. Dr. Pieski secured a new English Language-American Culture Camp at the Internat Zespołu Szkół Zawodowych im. Stanislawa Staszica in Barlewiczki with the support of the non-profit group Kwidzyńskie Towarzystwo Pływackie and under the patronage of the local city government of Kwidzyń and the Polish National Commission for UNESCO. The elementary camp enrolled Polish students ages nine through twelve in a session lasting two weeks. The Arts Enriched English Language Camp took place in Załęcze for Polish students ages 12-18 and lasted for three weeks. The NIDA Foundation did not support any students in 2012. Mrs. Kuskowski withdrew as active Director in 2012 to care for her ill husband but continues to assist as consultant. Dr. Mary Kay Pieski, Ph.D. founder of the Ohio Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation, was appointed as the new Director of the TEIP Program and Dr. Teresa G. Wojcik, Ph.D. President of the Philadelphia Chapter as Assistant Director.

The year 2013 marked the seventh anniversary of collaboration with the Ośrodek Szkoleniowo-Wypoczynkowego, ZHP “Nadwarciański Gród” at Zalecze Wielkie. It also marked the fifth consecutive year that the Arts Enriched English Language Camp had been active at the same site. As we celebrated these accomplishments, two new camps were introduced through the efforts of Dr. Pieski and Dr. Wojcik one Arts Enriched English Language Camp at Otwock and one traditional TEIP Program in Pińczów. The Kosciuszko Foundation was grateful that the NIDA Foundation supported the students at the ZHP site once again. It should also be noted that UNESCO offered its honorary patronage to the camps in Załęcze.

In 2014, the TEIP program witnessed continued growth and new opportunities to expanded numbers of Polish students and American teachers. A new program was introduced for Polish high school students (15-18 years old) at the Otwock Camp with emphasis on conversational English in addition to continuing the Arts-Enriched English camp model for the younger students, aged 10 to 13. A site at Pińczów, secured for the program by Mr. Joseph Herter of the Warsaw Office, established a new cooperation with the local high school that will now offer its students the opportunity to attend the camp in addition to those students traveling from Przemyśl. The dates for the program in Załęcze were altered with the two-week camp for younger students taking place in early July and the three-week Arts Enriched camp occurring in late July. To accommodate requests made by our American and Polish teachers and students, the TEIP Program has embraced flexible scheduling regarding camp dates that would attract a greater number of participants. A new day camp was added in Mińsk Mazowiecki for local elementary students ages 10-13.

Enthusiasm and praise for TEIP and its benefits continued to spread both in the United States and Poland with recruitment sessions taking place throughout the fall in the United States. In anticipation of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the TEIP Program, Drs. Mary Kay Pieski and Teresa G. Wojcik presented a session on the program to an international scholarly audience at the World Congress of the Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences in America, which took place in June 2014 at the University of Warsaw.

Six camps were offered in 2015: two at Załęcze Wielkie, and one each at Otwock, Pińczów, Siennica, and Kraków.

The Teaching English in Poland Program grew to a record seven camps in 2016. Załęcze Wielkie offered a two-week overnight English Language American Culture Camp for students ages 10-13 and a three-week Arts Enriched English Language Camp for students ages 14-18. Otwock, Minsk Mazowiecki, Krakow Elementary, Krakow Middle and Krynica Zdroj held day camps.

The following camps operated in 2017: Zalecze Arts Enriched English Language overnight camp, Otwock Arts Enriched English Language day camp, Krakow Elementary English Language American Culture day camp, Krakow Middle/High English Language American Culture day camp, Krynica Zdroj English Language American Culture day camp ,Minsk Mazowiecki English Language American Culture day camp, and Zalecze English Language American Culture day camp.

Participation in the TEIP Program under the aegis of The Kosciuszko Foundation presents a unique opportunity for American volunteer teachers, their assistants (American college/university students), and Polish educators and students. As experienced educators and cultural representatives of the United States, members of the volunteer American teaching staff offer their cumulative professional expertise and collective personal commitment to the youth of Poland.

In its first quarter century, the TEIP program under the aegis of the Kosciuszko Foundation has hosted 130 camps throughout Poland at twenty two locations: Łomza, Utska, Kraków, Płock, Gdańsk, Iława, Olsztyn, Zakopane, Puławy, Przytok at Żielona Góra, Myślenice, Tczew, Warsawa, Goldap, Gorzów Wielkopolski, Limanowa, Załęcze Wielkie, Barlewiczki, Otwock, Pińczów, Mińsk Mazowiecki , Krynica, and Siennica. More than 13,500 Polish students and almost 2100 Americans have benefited from this program.

The American volunteer participants in the TEIP program are vital in effecting the Kosciuszko Foundation’s mission of promoting educational and cultural exchanges between the United States and Poland and of increasing American understanding of Polish culture and history. Under the present leadership of the Kosciuszko Foundation President and Executive Director, Mr. Marek Skulimowski, Dr. Mary Kay Pieski, Director of TEIP, Assistant Director of TEIP, Dr. Teresa Wojcik, and Dr. Grazyna Czetwertynska, of the Warsaw Office, TEIP continues to be dedicated to furthering its long-standing tradition of commitment to excellence, intercultural exchange, and educational innovation.

Heartfelt thanks to our partners in Poland who have participated in and supported the Teaching English in Poland Program: The Polish National Commission for UNESCO for promoting the program under its patronage and the Polish Ministry of National Education for providing funds in Poland for camp sites (1991-2008) and their operation, for hiring Polish staffs, and for providing funds for the stipends and end-of-program tours for American participants. The following foundations and organizations in the United States and Poland that contributed to the functioning and development of the TEIP program include the following: Foundation for the Development of the Education System, Educational Enterprise Foundation, The Kosciuszko Foundation Wysocki and Frees Funds, The Polish American Teachers Association, Marie Sklodowska Curie Professional Women’s Association, Nidzicka Fundacja Rozwoju, Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Foundation, The Chicago, Ohio and Philadelphia of the Kosciuszko Foundation, Polish National Youth Baseball Foundation, the Cleveland Society of Poles, The Pulaski Association of Professional Men etc. and individual donors.

We extend warmest thanks to the Polish Directors and staffs for their hospitality and efforts in introducing Kosciuszko Foundation American volunteers to “everything Polish”; and soliciting funds to make the camps affordable for Polish students by partnering with community leaders and organizations.

We applaud Mrs. Christine Kuskowski for her visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to the program’s success, and Dr. Mary Kay Pieski and Dr. Teresa G. Wojcik for continuing and growing the program from 2012 to 2018.

Since September 2018 the Teaching English in Poland has been administered by the Kosciuszko Foundation Poland under the auspices of the Kosciuszko Foundation in New York.

We look to the future, building on the achievements of the first twenty-five years to even greater successes in years to come.

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