The holidays continue: shift change at Edelweiss

In the high-mountainous children’s health camp Edelweiss there is a changeover: the first 157 children came down from the mountains, and a new batch of holidaymakers is preparing to arrive for the second season.

The camp is located in an ecologically clean mountainous area and has existed since the 70s of the last century. 12 years ago Edelweiss changed its location and now it is only 13 kilometres away from Almaty.

– The children’s health resort is run by the Trade Union of Power Engineers. For children of employees of Almaty Power Plants JSC, 50% of the cost of vouchers is compensated by the trade union of the company and AlES. This summer, more than 300 children of the company’s employees will have a holiday on a favourable basis,’ said Serik Tymbasbayev, Chairman of the Trade Union “Energia” – We prepared in advance for the arrival of children. We carried out current repairs of the buildings, painted and whitewashed everything, bought new bedding, crockery and music equipment. The staff was selected on a competitive basis.

Valera Vlasov from the 2nd detachment is already in Edelweiss for the fourth time. The boy willingly shares his impressions:

– Edelweiss is the best camp for me! Our squad is very friendly. It is always fun and interesting here. On a hot day, our building is cool and you can find lots of fun things to do. For example, I like to play football and volleyball. I also really enjoyed the relay race and the ‘Find the counselor’ competition.

Many children of power engineers traditionally have holidays here every summer. Some of them even twice a season. But Abil Symbat from the 4th squad came to the camp for the first time. The girl liked the food, the counsellors, the games, and especially the cheerleading competition.

– I want to come next year with my friends, – says Abil. – Because Edelweiss is happiness!

The friendly and professional staff are here to make your days full and interesting, your sleep sound and your food tasty. Many of the staff have been working here for more than a year. Askhat Tastybay has been working as a counsellor for the second year. This time he had the 8th detachment – ‘Restless’. The name fully corresponded to the temperament of the squad’s children.

– I like working with children, communicating with them, says Askhat. – My favourite event is “He and She”. So I plan to work for two seasons. Shynaim Bagdatkyzy, a counselor of the 7th squad “Champions”, has become very attached to her charges.

– We had 15 kids: 10 boys and 5 girls’, Shynaim said. – Talented and inventive children. I remember the Parents’ Day we prepared. Parents saw the talents of the children and the counsellors …

Senior cook Galiya Karaulova has learnt the children’s tastes very well. There are five people in their team, including a baker.

– We bake bread, flatbreads, wattles, sausages in dough, pancakes with cottage cheese and much more, Galiya lists the schoolchildren’s favourite food. – The camp has six meals a day. In addition to baked goods, we try to cook what the children like most of all: cutlets, meatballs, zrazy, mashed potatoes, spaghetti, fresh salads, beshbarmak, kespe. We do everything from the heart and with joy!

Gulpara Zamadinovna Bokhanova is the director of the camp. She has been working at Edelweiss for the second year and knows everything well here, as well as children’s hobbies and interests.

– We have a whole team that has been working here for almost 15 years. We have been casting teachers since January and selecting the best ones. There are 8 squads in the camp. In this shift 157 children had a rest. Each squad has a tandem: a teacher-teacher and a student-teacher, Kulpara Zhumadinovna explained. – The educators monitor safety and order. To keep the children interested, we come up with a new programme for the season every time. Every day there is a disco – the children like it very much. We hold various contests, competitions – even Valentine’s Day. We write kind words to our friends and counsellors. At the end of the season parents leave their impressions in the Book of Reviews. Parents are often surprised, because in the camp children suddenly reveal themselves even for them. For example, a child at home does not dance, but here he dances to the full. ‘Edelweiss’ – it’s creative!

Physiotherapist Olzhas Kozhabayev literally works at high speeds in the camp. And he likes it, he is in “Edelweiss” for the second year:

– I like the nature of the camp, the children, – Olzhas said. – And also we have a professional staff of counsellors. For the season we make an author’s plan of events. This time we held contests “Miss Edelweiss” and “Mr Edelweiss”, national and sports games. Edelweiss – it’s just gorgeous.

The ideas of the counsellors the children like very much. Tatyana Vlasova, a pupil of the 1st detachment, who comes to the camp for the third year in a row, speaks enthusiastically about them.

– This year I became “Miss Edelweiss”! – she joyfully informs. – The squad decided that I would perform. And when I won, I even cried with happiness. Everyone congratulated me. I was very happy, I called my parents and grandmother – everyone was happy for me.

“Veteran” of the camp can rightfully be considered Anton Lopushkov from the 1st squad. He first came “Edelweiss” in 2018, and since then he has tried not to miss the seasons.

– I have been coming here for the sixth year. I like discos and photo hunts, when we take pictures all in red or green. This time I didn’t have anything red, so I took my red towel. And the result: a jumping photo, a pyramid photo. Here you have to be creative all the time, he shares his emotions. – The moment of searching for things was especially memorable… And the food here is also super, especially the beshbarmak and pastries…

The first shift of children sadly said goodbye to the camp. The second shift is about to arrive… Camp Edelweiss is waiting, ready for new meetings and will continue to delight children with stunning nature, its unique programmes, creative atmosphere and taste palette, creating unforgettable memories for each holidaymaker.