Tšau! Hello!
You are invited to take part in a questionnaire, with the option of a follow-up interview, as part of my Master’s research project at the University of Tartu in Folkloristics and Applied Heritage Studies, within the Department of Estonian and Comparative Folklore.
My thesis, titled “Routines and Rituals at Sõrve: Inheritance of a Camping Tradition in an Estonian Children’s Summer Camp” (working title), examines the traditions, rituals and everyday folklore of Sõrve Summer Camp. The study focuses on how camp practices contribute to community life, identity-building, social relationships and the development of a distinct Sõrve culture within the Estonian-Australian diaspora. It also considers the historical development of the camp since its modest beginnings in 1953 at the Narrabeen Fitness Centre, as the Sydney Eesti Seltsi Täienduskool’s end-of-year celebration.
The project is currently in the data collection phase and seeks contributions from people (aged 18+) with connections to Sõrve across different generations and roles. Whether you are a former C-grouper, long-term alumni, or just a visiting guest for the weekend, your participation will help build a well-rounded and representative picture of the camp and its more than 70 years of practice.
Below is the link to a secure Microsoft Form, and your participation — whether you have attended camp in any capacity — is of value to my research. All responses are anonymised, with the option to be identified if you choose. Your participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw or revoke consent at any time. The form takes approximately 40 minutes to one hour to complete.
Thesis questionnaire: “Routines and Rituals at Sõrve: Inheritance of a Camping Tradition in an Estonian Children’s Summer Camp”
Suur, suur aitäh! (Thank you very much!) Please feel free to share this form with anyone you think might be interested or relevant. If you are interested in a follow-up interview, do not hesitate to contact me at lachlan.christopher.bell@ut.ee
