RURAL CAMP IN SOCIAL WORK

                                                     S.J.Deen MSW,M.Phil,Ph.D

Social work camps are unique in nature and scope and are organized by the students under the guidance of the faculty member. They visit the proposed places and identify the needs and interest of the people through professional interaction. The probable participation and cooperation of people in judged and preliminary information in collected to chalet out need-based programmes, while preparing the camp programmes the faculty members keep in mind professional training and help to the community.

Objectives of Social Work Camps:

  1. To make the students understand the rural social system and community living.
  2. To develop an understanding of the level of government intervention and its impact on people.
  3. To understand the working and influence of social institution like joint family system, marriages, caste panchayats and gram panchayats on the life patterns of people.
  4. To garage the effect of evil customs, bad habits, superstitions, age old tradition and the impact of these on their life patterns.
  5. To help the students develop their sense of care and social responsibility by applying social work techniques like counseling.
  6. To assist the students in learning through the experience in group living so as to develop their social responsibility.
  7. to acquire skills in planning, organizing and implementing camp programmes with their productive use of time, communication skills, working with team spirit, handling relationships and conflicts, seeking co operations and coordination whenever required, administration etc.
  8. to enable the students to identify the needs of the rural communities and provide them the professional information on setting up an NGO, preparation of the proposals, tapping of funds, organizing fund raising campaigns, teaching them  management, legal and general office procedures and methods, counseling etc.

Preliminary Preparation for the Camp:

            There should be the discussion with faculty members especially on social survey procedures, rural life and practices and on methods of fulfilling the objectives of the camp must be held. A general study of governmental and NGO’s scheme, their procedures, implementation etc...to be made. Discussion should also include plans, programmes, sources of funds, involvement of people in the programmes, collecting materials, help of outsiders and contacting resourceful persons etc…

After the preliminary preparations the student leaders should prepare the programme chart giving the day, date, distribution of work, programmes, functions etc... This programme is based on the objectives of the camp model programmes, discussions with faculty members, interaction with the village leaders, the specified needs of the selected community etc.

            An inaugural function should be arranged by inviting the Head of the Village as chief guest and maximum attendance by the villagers should be ensured. The objectives of the camp and its professionalism should be brought out clearly. This helps in creating the right atmosphere and will assist the camping team to instill a sense of confidence in the villages that something useful for the rural community in being done.

This will follow with the implementation of the different programmes made by the students. The programmes consist of different projects like social survey, visiting various social institutions, social organizations, government organizations. Setting up of health education camps, organizing free medical checkups and implementations of government health schemes etc... There should be also counseling and referral services provided and need based social services will help the villagers. Student campers must ensure follow-up practice either directly or through local organizations.

            Student campers should take the initiative to organize a valedictory functions after completion of the camp programmes. An outsider should be invited as chief guest of the function. It would be better to invite professionals in rural leaders who have contributed to the rural development process in different projects. At the same time, the villagers are asked to share their experiences too.

Model of Rural / Tribal Camp at PSG College of Arts & Science

“Social work camps help the students in understanding the core of rural life, their problems and needs, and help them in preparing a plan for social work practice and community development”

            The objectives of the rural camp is to make the student experience group living and to initiate and participate in development work in a village identified by the faculty. The actual rural camp is preceded by two weeks of camp preparation. This will include pilot visits to the village for identification of projects and for liaison with various NGO’s and government officials. The entire class will be divided into various groups called committees namely project, food, housing, medical, security and a faculty supervisor will facilitate and assist the working of each committee. Two students will be elected as camp leaders and will be assisted by two faculty members who will accompany the students for the camp and will monitor the entire process. Students are expected to submit reports periodically and when instructed by the faculty supervisor. Evaluation will be done after the camp.

I.                   Three Main Goals

1.      Learning goal

2.      Service goal

3.      Educational goal

II.                Objectives

1.      To expose the students to rural life and living.

2.      To enable students to learn by carrying out development projects after identifying local need.

3.      To help them to develop capacities and attitudes suitable for group living.

4.      To inculcate working in groups, developing, planning, organizing and fund raising.

III.             Tasks

1.      Identification of the village – pilot visits.

2.      Programme planning i.e., committees, activities etc.

3.      time schedule during the camp

4.      implementation of programme

IV.              Skills

1.      planning , coordination

2.      participation, cooperation

3.      capacity to organize

4.      adaptability

5.      sense of responsibility

6.      capacity for self evaluation

DOCUMENTATION:

Three sets of reports will have to be submitted viz. the pre-camp, on-camp and post-camp report.

Pre-camp report:        This report gives the sum up of the preparation for the camp right from committee identification, the decision of the committee meetings, general body meetings, role of the student trainee, learning experience etc...

On-camp report:         This report gives information on the camp activities of each day, the role of the camper, learning experience etc...

Post-camp report:       This report gives the synopsis of the general body meetings held after the camp, the decision taken thereof, critical appraisal of the camp activities and the campers say evaluation. Evaluation to be done by the faculty members on the following criteria;

  1. Pre-camp evaluation criteria
  1. Planning contribution (involvement, suggestions towards planning, ideas etc...)
  1. Responsibility and initiative shown
  1. extent of participation and involvement
  2. extent of adjustment
  3. cooperation and initiative shown
  1. Post-camp evaluation criteria

     

  1. individual submission of reports (records, facts analysis, interpretation)
  2. Responsibility and initiative shown

After coming back to the college from the rural areas, student campers should write letters to all concerned officials, and associates. Their professional relations will thus, be strengthened and a cooperative attitude will develop. The social work institution will grow, and earn the good will and professional recognition in the society.