Author: Christi Cline Editor: Jessica Lister In case you haven’t heard, Pyeongtaek Youth Rock! Earlier this year I had heard about a couple different camps being offered. As a mother of four, who is deeply invested in their children’s well-being, I was worried about what kind of experience was offered. I also worried if my kids would be safe. I talked to the parents of the kids who attended last year’s camps and found that the Pyeongtaek Youth Center group received consistently high praise. One parent said it was one of the most memorable moments of their time in Korea. In my heart, I believe kids need good opportunities and challenges to develop and grow, and this camp sounded like the right kind of opportunity. I signed them up and crossed my fingers that I was doing the right thing. After all, it does no good to live life as a worry rat. But for good measure, I volunteered to attend as a camp counselor. You know, so I could see for myself what really goes on at camp.  Let’s go to camp! The day came to pack our bags and get on the bus. My twin daughters were excited to attend their first camp. I was anxious because I wanted to do my part to help make camp an enjoyable experience for everyone. I would soon learn I had nothing to worry about. Our first event was the rope course. I don’t know what I was thinking when I agreed to join the difficult level course. I kind of consider myself out of shape. I seriously started to rethink my choices and wonder if the kid I saw who stayed on the ground was the smart one. But then I was hooked in and it was time to start. It was too late to run away. I may or may not have screamed a time or two, but I did the course and found myself enjoying it!  Our adventure continued with no thought of slowing down!  Take a look at this video to see some of the fun stuff we were up to! I have no clue how some of the kids still had the energy to stay up until midnight giggling and playing games. I consider myself a night owl and I was ready to hit the sack. When it was time to say goodbye I thought it was pretty cool that the kids could take home pictures of their camp experience! I admit that I am a little sad that our fun has come to an end!  It was a memorable experience but more importantly, I discovered the truth about the Pyeongtaek Youth Center. As a parent, I can say confidently that your kids are in good hands. I was able to see first hand the counselors treating the kids fairly and with kindness. As a volunteer, I was able to see the leaders and counselors in action working hard to make this a good experience for the kids. Their efforts showed they truly care about the community. The theme of this camp is “Better Life in Harmony” and I think that sums it up nicely. Because of this, I look forward to helping out at the next camp! If you have kids that are interested in this kind of experience, then you don’t want your kids missing out on the next one! Mark your calendars! The next one is in August and you can sign up HERE! Pyeongtaek Local News reports https://blog.naver.com/seo8587/221306224836 News & News reports https://blog.naver.com/newsnnewsn/221296269601 Kilhoilbo reports http://www.kihoilbo.co.kr/?mod=news&act=articleView&idxno=757126 Christi ClineChristi Cline holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Korean American. She proudly served in the US Marines and worked as a police officer before moving into social media and online content. As a Cultural Liason and Content Creator with South of Seoul, Ms. Cline reported on Pyeongtaek news and helped to coordinate youth camps with the Pyeongtaek Youth Center. After leaving her volunteer position with South of Seoul, Christi moved to the United States and joined a global communications technology company.

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We have already told out about the splash pads that will be opening in August (read that here) but did you know there will be outdoor pools opening up soon as well? These are fab and fun places to connect with the local community while cooling off from the oppressive heat. Remember, these are very Korean outdoor spaces so following local customs is very important and doable. No reason to be scared, but be prepared. Culture NotesIn order to have the most fun possible, be sure to read the South of Seoul Culture Notes that are embedded in each listing. These are useful tips we have compiled based on the surprises we have experienced. If you have a tip to add to the list just let us know! The more prepared everyone is when they arrive, the more fun we can all experience when integrating into the local culture. However, with this blog, we are going to take this to the next level and tell you a few more things you need to know in order to have the most fun and relaxed time possible your first day out. Here they are! Our 5 Extra Pro Tips: 1. When you try something new you are going to feel uncomfortable and this will be no exception. However, don’t worry about it. Once you get the hang of it that feeling will go away. It’s true that people might stare. Foreigners haven’t known about these places until now. Not because we aren’t welcome, but because information hasn’t been available in English. This means all the locals are sitting there wondering, “How did they find this pool out in the countryside?” Don’t worry, nobody hates you. Just go about your business of having fun in the sun. 2. It’s going to be packed so politely squeeze in. For the best results show up early and stake your space with the cool picnic tents and mats from Daiso or Emart. There aren’t that many pools, but there are a lot of people and they like their outdoor supplies. If you are freaked out by this then maybe outdoor pools aren’t the right experience for you. That is ok. Know your limits. On the other hand, if you can deal with the experience it can be emotionally uplifting and help you feel more welcome and integrated into the community. We personally love it. We bring all our food, a tent for naps, and splash around like fools. 3. These pools aren’t like the ones at home. They are usually waist deep, there aren’t diving board or any other type of fanciness. These are old-fashioned, sometimes also just old, outdoor play areas for families to escape the heat. You aren’t going to be swimming laps or diving for pennies. They are built for splashing and being silly together. Truly excellent places for kids. Think giant puddles and embrace it. 4. Go check out opening times as a test run. Before you pack up the kids for a pool day do a test run. Go find out for sure the days and times it’s open (these can change from year to year). There is also a chance you could get lost going to these pools for the first time, so do a trial run before there are 3 kids in the car screaming they want to be in the pool. We ALWAYS recommend doing a trial run for any adventure. 5. Bring your own snacks and mat/tent to eat them on/in. In Korea food is almost always available but maybe it doesn’t match with your dietary requirements or preferences. In order to avoid being hot and hangry, bring snacks. Also bring a mat/tent to lay claim to your dining and napping area. That’s it! Those are all the helpful ideas we can think of right now. Hopefully, these extra tips combined with the tips in the app will empower you to show up prepared for a wet and fun adventure with friends or family. We know we always feel better the more information we have before we try something for the first time. Good luck and happy splashing. With no further ado, here are the outdoor pools we’ve found for you: Easiest for Osan Air For Base Access…Jinwee Countryside (Kid and Family Focused) Jinwee Countryside (Good for adults and kids) 3 Easiest for Camp Humphreys Access… Anjung Countryside (Great for adults and kids) Dunpo, Asan (Great for adults and families. Very limited space. Maybe need a reservation?) Asan North Countryside (The pools is for kids, but the park is for everyone.) As always, the exact details of each listing is in the South of Seoul app which can be downloaded from Google Play and the Apple App Store.

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Public Pyeongtaek splash pads usually open in July and August. Keep reading to learn more about splash pads including locations and rules! Updated: July 2022 Splash Pads in South Korea Many cities and private malls across South Korea have invested in splash pads to help families beat the summer heat. Splash pads are often free to use and very popular with community families. Splash Pad Seasonal Operation Hours The splash park schedules may vary depending on if they are city or privately owned: City-run splash pads often run on a schedule with limited times each day during July and August. Cities often post the splash pad hours on signs near the splash parks. Privately owned malls may operate their splash pads in June, July, and August. Finding Splash Pads in South Korea However, many splash pads are not clearly noted in Naver Maps. You may find some by searching 물놀이, 물놀이장, or 물장구. This means we need to rely on our local communities to find access to splash pads in our region. That said, some city governments document the publicly managed splash pads (물놀이) on their websites. Using the Naver Search portal may help you find splash pads via such city websites or community bloggers. Korean Splash Pad Culture Notes and Rules Also, and this is a big one, we have included Cultural Notes in each splash pad listing so you can better understand the social rules associated with splash pads and don’t get caught off guard. Knowing what’s expected ahead of time will help you feel more comfortable and have a stress-free playtime: Public Pyeongtaek Splash Pads Open July & August In Pyeongtaek-si, South of Seoul volunteers tracked down a variety of splash pads and added them to the South of Seoul app. We continue to add more splash pads as they are found around the community. Now that we have you oriented to how the place pad listings work, let’s take a quick look at our five picks and what neighborhoods they are in: Anjung-eup, Pyeongtaek-si Bijeon-dong, Pyeongtaek-si Parking can be hectic but this is one of the best splash pads in town. Dogok-ri, Pyeongtaek-si Gwongwon-ri, Pyeongtaek-si This splash pad is located on the walk up toward the pyramid-shaped art gallery. Ichung-dong, Pyeongtaek-si Huge splash pad near a beautiful hike. Hapjeong-dong, Pyeongtaek-si Jukbaek-dong, Pyeongtaek-si Located inside the Dome shopping mall. Segyo-dong, Pyeongtaek-si Sin-ri, Pyeongtaek-si Beautiful rural garden and kids play zone. Yongi-dong, Pyeongtaek-si You can find the listings in the South of Seoul app which can be downloaded from Google Play or the Apple App Store. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Traveling across South Korea this summer? Here are 5 water parks to cut the heat this summer. Updated: July 2022 About Summer in Korea Summer is just around the corner and things are going to be seriously heating up. If you are like me you are going to be looking for some fun ways to cool off. This year my plan is to mix it up a bit.  July and August usually have the highest temperatures of the year in South Korea. Temps may rise to 43 degrees during the hardest of times. This means you need to take sun care seriously. About Water Parks in Korea Water parks are a popular summer activity in South Korea. The water parks tend to be filled to capacity in July and August and the wait for rides may be long. Additionally, during the weekdays some rides may be closed if the park attendance is low. Clothing You may see more western-style swimsuits at water parks than you do at the beach. We recommend wearing a one-piece suit since many slides require this. We also recommend rash guards as it’s better protection. Baseball cap/ water cap and goggles required. If you do not own these, you can often buy them at the water park store. Water shoes/booties may also be a great option to avoid slipping and falling. Water Park Culture Notes Each country has its own culture regarding water parks. This means that you may experience discomfort, frustration, or confusion when water park processes do not meet your hidden expectations. Accidently doing something incorrectly may be an experience that you have and that’s ok. Breathe deep and give yourself grace. One common area of confusion may be the locker system. You often need to leave your shoes in a small locker at the entrance of the dressing room and then put your belongings in a larger locker inside the dressing room. Another common area of confusion is the need to wear a cap or goggles. This procedure helps with pool maintenance and everyone will be required to do this together even if you are bald. Just roll with it. We recommend taking the time to read all posted signs using the Papago translation app. Go slowly and message 1330 with any questions you may have. Parking Water parks near major cities may charge for parking. Most water parks have large enough parking lots for their facilities. However, at locations near Seoul it might be a bit of a walk if you show up later in the day. Water Park in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea The most famous water park in all of Korea and packed to bursting in the summer since it’s near Seoul. Water Park in Gangwon-do, South Korea Water Park in Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea Water Park in Daegu, South Korea Water Park in Gyeong-nam, South Korea A small water park in a big city. Expect it to fill up to capacity in the summer months. Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most of who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventures across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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