The new provisions are contained in a draft prepared by the government that will replace the current 2009 regulations.
One of the main changes concerns the protection of children. Camp staff will be required to prevent and detect violence, including cyberbullying, and to respond immediately if a child’s physical or emotional safety is jeopardized.
At the same time, children will be given clearly defined rights: they will be able to report abuse, receive psychological support and personal data protection, as well as the right to a safe and non-discriminatory environment.
The concept of summer camps will also change. In addition to recreation, they will have to organize non-formal education activities – STEAM workshops (scientific, technical and creative activities), environmental projects, volunteer initiatives, sports and civic-educational activities.
For the first time, the work of day camps, which are organized in schools and after-school centers, will be regulated separately. They will be able to accept children from 7 to 11 years old, while classical camps will remain for children up to 16 years old.
The draft notes that the current rules do not correspond to the current realities of the education system and do not cover new formats for organizing children’s recreation.
