The problem
Teaching kids about self-awareness, empathy, and staying connected to the world often focuses on adults or older youth. But these lessons are just as important for children. Many kids don’t have chances to learn about inner development, active citizenship or climate issues in a structured way. This leaves them less prepared to handle future challenges.
Goals
Buttergoose Village is managed by CISV (Children’s International Summer Villages).
It was created to give children aged 11 to 13 a meaningful experience focused on:
- Building inner development and skills like self-awareness, empathy, and connection to others.
- Encouraging active citizenship and cultural understanding among kids from different countries.
- Teaching climate awareness in a way that inspires, without overwhelming them.
- Promoting teamwork and cross-cultural collaboration through shared
activities.
Approach
Buttergoose Village operated as a four-week summer camp located near Malmö, on the Sweden-Denmark border, run entirely by volunteers. The camp used fun activities and outdoor learning to help kids grow and learn.
- Natural Setting: The campsite, surrounded by forests, was perfect for teaching kids – especially those from cities — about nature and their role in protecting it.
- Activities: Kids played educational games, worked together on cultural activities, and shared daily chores to build teamwork, independence, and empathy.
- Trained Volunteers: Volunteers aged 16 to 55, supported by CISV Malmö, were trained to make sure the camp was safe and enriching.
- Cultural Exchange: Kids from 10 countries (including 4 EU nations) attended, learning about different cultures and overcoming challenges like privacy norms through open discussions and teamwork.
Features
Buttergoose Village made climate awareness understandable for kids by breaking down big ideas into smaller, relatable lessons. The camp emphasized sustainable habits and gave kids practical tips to help the planet.
Volunteers benefited too, growing personally as they helped build a supportive community for the kids. This showed how teaching and learning can go both ways.
Lessons learned
The camp demonstrated that IDGs could effectively be introduced to children through fun, hands-on activities in a non-formal setting. Spending time in nature helped urban kids feel closer to the environment and more responsible for it.
Find out more: https://cisv.org/programmes/village/
What you can do
If you like the idea, you can become a local or international volunteer and even join
the camp staff https://cisv.org/volunteer/