Why I Left Teaching to Start a Summer Camp

by Rebecca Cole

Founder & Director, Camp Mákemáke

After more than a decade of teaching English and Drama — most recently as Head of Department at The Grange School in Santiago — I made a decision that surprised a lot of people: I left the classroom.

Not to change schools. Not to go abroad. But to move to a farm.

Not just any farm — it’s my husband’s family farm, a 700-hectare organic blueberry farm tucked away in the Maule region of central Chile. I came here initially seeking peace and quiet, a slower pace of life away from the city’s noise. I wanted to build something special for my own kids — a place where they could grow, learn, and connect with nature.

But soon, I realized that this magic wasn’t just for my family. It was something I wanted to share.

That “something” became Camp Mákemáke.

From classroom to campfire

I’ve always loved teaching. There’s nothing quite like seeing a student light up with confidence as they perform a monologue, nail an essay, or find their voice in a second language. But I also knew that some of the most powerful learning happens outside the classroom — in nature, in friendship, in play.

That truth hit home when I worked at Camp Waukeela, a legendary girls' camp in the forests of New Hampshire, USA. It was one of the most transformational experiences of my life. At Waukeela, I saw how camp could shape character, grow confidence, and create lifelong friendships — all without technology or pressure, just honest connection and fun.

Camp Waukeela planted the seed. Years later, I found the right soil to grow it — right here in the Maule region of Chile.

A different kind of camp

Today, Camp Mákemáke is Chile’s only bilingual summer camp set on an organic farm. We welcome children and teens from all over Chile (and beyond) to spend a week immersed in nature — and in language.

Campers kayak, cook, hike, ride horses, act, build, sing, and learn — all while growing their English or Spanish naturally through play and community. Older campers participate in leadership programs, younger ones in guided exploration. Every activity is designed to build confidence, community, and curiosity.

It’s not school — it’s something else entirely. And it works.

Why this matters

In a world that’s becoming more digital, more anxious, and more disconnected, I believe we need real experiences more than ever. Camp is one of the last places where kids can:

• Unplug

• Speak freely

• Try and fail safely

• Make friends face-to-face

• Lead without fear

And for bilingual learners, it’s a game-changer. We’ve seen campers go from shy to fluent in a matter of days — not because of pressure, but because they’re having fun, immersed in community and kindness.

From Waukeela to Mákemáke

Camp Waukeela with all its traditions taught me how magical camp can be. Camp Mákemáke is my way of bringing that magic home — with a Chilean spirit, a bilingual twist, and a strong connection to the land.

We sing songs around the fire. We hike through the forest. We make blueberry pies from the fruit my husband grows. And every camper, no matter where they’re from, finds something lasting here.

Join us

In January and February 2026, we’ll be running another season of Camp Mákemáke — and I hope you’ll consider joining us, whether you’re a family looking for something different, or just someone curious about this journey.

I may have left the classroom, but I’ve never stopped teaching. And Camp Mákemáke has become the most meaningful classroom I’ve ever known — built not of walls, but of trees, rivers, firepits, and dreams.

With warmth,

Rebecca Cole

Founder & Director Camp Mákemáke