Public Relations and summer camp

[momatu]

I've just started a new HP fic in which Harry owns the Chudley Cannons.  Teddy is 10 and will be attending a Quidditch camp for two weeks over the summer.  Is that sort of thing done in Europe?  (The camp will be at Beauxbatons, not Hogwarts, and kids from all over Europe will be attending.)  The fic is for a fest and based on a prompt, so Teddy

Comments

[borolin]

We really don't go in for summer camps here in the UK - I dunno about continental Europe, although I can ask one of my Italian friends if they do them there.

However, even in the UK you do get camps for some specific clubs - the Pony Club has them, variously called either summer camp or summer school. Young riders bring their ponies and spend a week or two pony-trekking (do you do that in the US?) and honing their riding skills. So you could justify a camp for serious junior Quidditch players as being analogous to Pony Club summer camp.

I checked and Rangers Football Club in Glasgow, for example, run junior Soccer Schools at Christmas and Easter, although these are local things you get to on the bus, not residential courses. You could probably just call your liaison people the Chudley Cannons Junior Quidditch Club.

[momatu]

There is very likely something like that out there somewhere, but I'm guessing it'd probably be more out west. (I'm in the northeast.) Horseback riding around where I am is a couple hours, or less, on a trail through the woods. More affluent areas--not that I know this first hand, of course--would have equestrian camps.

Most camps here will have either residential or commuter options, depending on the kids' individual circumstances: distance, budget, etc. I can work that in, some kids commuting.

I think I might bill it as something thought of to promote unity throughout the Wizarding communities of Europe, because it's not only open to Beauxbatons students. Maybe I'll work in a character who is either American or who has spent a year or two teaching here and that is where the idea took root, or do you not think that's necessary?

[borolin]

Pony-trekking is going on long communal riding-tours - sometimes just hours, sometimes days - usually on ponies who are provided by the trekking firm. There are also firms which rent out llamas if you want to go on a walking tour but don't want to have to carry your own rucksack.

If you just want to have kids going to camp for amusement or because their parents want them out of the house, in the American manner, then you may need to provide an American explanation. But if it's for serious junior Quidditch players who really want to hone their skills, then it doesn't need any other explanation.

[borolin]

It's occurred to me that a summer camp in the wizarding world presents extra problems. Parents who only see their children for a few weeks a year may be reluctant to have them go off for two of those weeks, and if any of these kids are old enough to Apparate you have to consider that some will choose to attend the camp during the day and Apparate home at night. I would have thought they'd be more likely to have a summer school which they attended during the day, and which included a weekend away together just for fun.

[momatu]

The kids in question are 9 - 10-year-olds

[nineveh_uk]

The "promoting unity among Wizarding communities in Europe" sounds like it might work as a justification, especially in the post-Voldemort era. Some sort of European sub-group of the International Confederation of Wizardry having ideas about promoting international co-operation and collaboration, and understanding of international political institutions (and the importance of peace and democracy) in young people. Then Quidditch comes in because it is one thing that you can count on magical 10 year olds from all over Europe knowing about.

[momatu]

I'm really glad I asked the question. Since I'm still in the very beginning stages, I can work the feedback I've gotten into the story.

That's exactly the feeling I'm going for. The fic is set 10 years after the war, and it's going to be very Muggle-friendly: Quidditch half the day--excursions to some Muggle destination the other half. Viktor Krum is involved, which helped spread interest.

After all the responses I've gotten, I'm going to build the background for the camp as being the brainchild of an American who enjoyed his/her own camp experiences as a child and is now either involved with Beauxbatons or the French Ministry somehow. (Haven't worked that bit out.) Maybe a kind of know-it-all, pushy busy-body, "come up with an idea and leave all the work and logistics to someone else" kind of person.

Thanks for your help!