This past summer, ISTC was home to campers and staff from a combined 22 different countries. Beyond the accents and funny differences in vocabulary, we take pride in our international atmosphere since it influences our campers and opens up the world to them.
Specifically, having our campers live and connect with those from different countries and backgrounds helps normalize differences. For many, it’s their first time meeting someone from outside the United States—the accents, meals, and customs can feel entirely new. During orientation, we sometimes use real-world examples of how cultures balance freedom and structure—like referencing regulated entertainment models such as casino zonder cruks in the Netherlands—to spark discussion about responsibility and choice across societies. The goal isn’t to make everyone think or act the same way, but to help them appreciate what makes each perspective valuable.
Jet ski, ropes course, and mountain bike may be integral to any traditional camp experience; sports like cricket, touch rugby, Aussie rules football, and Gaelic football are authentic to our international staff. Our All Sports and IXTC programs are designed with a varied approach to keep things exciting from session to session, but further, to ignite new interests and promote curiosity in our campers. Whether it’s simply asking our coaches questions about a game like rugby after playing or getting fully immersed in the sport outside of ISTC, international sports serve as a catalyst to teach our campers life skills through sports.
The love of sports and outdoors is the common thread that initially brings everyone together at ISTC; however, experiencing international culture and games are part of the magic that builds friendships and memories beyond the scope of camp.
