Bátor Tábor volunteers at the camp are called Cimboras which means friend/buddy in Hungarian. There are Cottage, Program, Interpreter and Medical Cimboras within one session. Each of them are trained to do their own specific job and they keep their positions throughout the camp. Here you can read more about their duties in the camp
Cottage Cimbora
They are like nannies (male and female) who always move together with the children. They sleep in the same cottage as the campers and help the little ones with their daily routine from brushing teeth in the morning all the way until the lights are turned off at night. They are present at the programmes with their group, inspire and encourage them, nurture their souls, smoothen conflicts and deal with homesickness. Cottage Cimboras are the ones who know the most what our campers dream of as they spend the most time with them.
There are usually 10 campers and 4-5 Cottage Cimboras in one cottage. This position is open to anyone without previous experience.
Interpreter Cimboras
They are our helpers during the international camp session. They are not professional interpreters, but volunteers who speak Hungarian fluently and the language of the campers, Czech or Slovak fluently and they help with the translation of programmes and tasks. They are at the cottages, at meals, at activities and take care of the easy communication among the campers and the other volunteers.
Medical Cimboras
They are the invisible heroes of the camp. In their civic lives they work with ill children in hospitals – they are doctors, nurses, dieticians and physical therapists who turn to Cimboras in the camp. They support the campers with their medical knowledge providing a physically safe environment for them: giving medicines on time, the needed treatments and attention. They are invisible but still participating in every adventure, taking part in the exciting moments of the camp. If they have time they play with campers, chat with them, dress into costumes like the other Cimboras while also providing an invisible safety net.
Program Cimbora
During the day they lead group programmes according to their positions: such as horse riding, archery, canoeing/ fishing, arts and crafts, high-ropes, team building, logical games, circus or secret forces. In the evenings, they dress up in costumes and continue organising exciting games and events like camp fire, camp opening show and party. They are the ones who witness the campers’ success at first hand and give reflection on their achievements, e.g. when somebody sits on a horse for the first time in his/her life.
Due to the structure of the training, non-Hungarian speakers, sadly are not able to apply for being a Program Cimbora.
You have to know that we will never put you into deep water. There is no such a situation in the camp that you as a new volunteer should be entirely responsible for. Returning volunteers will be always there for you, answering your questions, and supporting and guiding you in the complex structure of the daily life of the camp.
Check out how an ordinary day looks like for a Cottage, Program and Interpreter Cimbora:
