Academic Summer Camps is pleased to partner with Ukrainian entrepreneur Vitalii Bresler of British Camp, to offer young athletes the chance to explore new sports and receive expert coaching, particularly in football, within an exciting and supportive atmosphere. At British Camp, counsellors are known as camp heroes and Vitalii leads by example. Even in the face of war, he has remained committed to creating new spaces where children can learn, play and grow. His resilience and drive to serve young people through sport and education is what makes him a true hero.
Based in Poland, Vitalii and his partner Daria organise innovative educational camps for children and teenagers. A passionate advocate of ‘edutainment’, he believes in blending learning with fun. As a keen PlayStation 5 football enthusiast, Vitalii ensures the camps feature not only on-pitch training but also e-sports experiences. He sees football as a universal language, uniting young people from diverse cultures while building skills, confidence and lifelong friendships.
Interview with Vitalii Bresler of British Camp
Vitali recently spoke to business writer Al Gibson to share more about his inspiring journey.
A partnership rooted in shared vision
Al Gibson: It’s great to meet you here at Sidcot School for your first camp in partnership with Academic Summer in the South West of England. How did it come about?
Vitalii Bresler: Sidcot School is the perfect setting, beautiful countryside, excellent facilities and fantastic football pitches. This opportunity came about through a wonderful connection with Helen Lami. We share a passion for education that’s dynamic and engaging. When we discussed combining British Camp’s football and e-sports programmes with Academic Summer’s academic structure it felt like the perfect fit. Plus we have the added benefit of Helen’s accredited Be A Leader Programme.
She has really helped us a lot, especially from the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine when it was no longer safe to run camps there, so we started looking for opportunities abroad. I still remember us jumping up and down for joy when we found a way forward together. We’ve now been working alongside each other for four years and we deeply value this partnership.
A heart for football and young people
Al Gibson: You clearly love the game, are you a football fan yourself?
Vitalii Bresler: Yes, especially on PlayStation 5! I love football video games! However at the camp I focus on overseeing the programme while our expert coaches handle the training. One of them, Ricardo from Portugal, holds a UEFA B Licence, meaning he’s qualified to train young players aiming for professional careers. He’s passionate about working with kids and they love him.
Al Gibson: You’ve brought many kids with you to the UK for the first time.
Vitalii Bresler: Yes, most are from Ukraine, but we also welcome children from Poland and other parts of Europe. Initially, we ran local camps, but now parents trust us to take their children abroad to Spain and now here in the UK.
This vision really took shape in 2022, after the war escalated. We continued camps, even during air raids, because we knew how much children needed the support. Our team are true heroes, working with kids with health or mental wellbeing challenges and helping them feel safe. Our camps may only last 7 or 14 days, but in that short time, we pour everything into creating an unforgettable experience.
A message of gratitude and hope
Al Gibson: It’s wonderful to see the UK’s ongoing support for Ukraine.
Vitalii Bresler: Yes, we’re very grateful, especially to all those who have sponsored Ukrainians to come to the UK. I have so many friends with lovely stories about how British families have welcomed them. These host families have become like real family to many. The support from the UK has been incredible. It’s true, Britain is standing with Ukraine, not just today, but for the future
Sport as a universal language
Al Gibson: So, where are you based now?
Vitalii Bresler: We’re currently based in Warsaw, and Daria still travels back to Ukraine. I left on the first day of the war. I’d been visiting western Ukraine and crossed into Poland to start planning new camps in other parts of Europe.
Many parents want their children to improve their English, and doing that through sport is a great motivator. Sport is so universal, especially football. Kids may not speak the same language, but on the pitch, they understand each other. That need to communicate with teammates pushes them to use English. It’s practical, meaningful and it helps them grow in both language and confidence.
A highlight of the Football Camp programme at Sidcot School is a visit to a football stadium in London, either Wembley or Emirates. Here, our keen young footballers visit the home of Arsenal FC.
An innovative approach to learning
Al Gibson: That sounds a lot like CLIL. Content and Language Integrated Learning. Is that how you’d describe it?
Vitalii Bresler: Actually, we use our own approach, which we call ‘edutainment’. It’s not a new term, but it perfectly captures what we’re doing, blending education with fun.
Our lessons use group projects, quizzes and creative challenges. We focus on engagement, not just grammar or vocabulary. We want to inspire children to want to speak English to realise it’s useful and enjoyable. When they go back to school, they’ve had a taste of why English matters. They’ve made friends from other countries, communicated with their teachers and seen how learning can be fun.
A life-changing opportunity for aspiring players
Al Gibson: It sounds very similar to CLIL. Have you seen any particular student really thrive because of this edutainment approach?
Vitalii Bresler: Absolutely. One story I love is of a boy who was always shy about speaking English. But after attending a camp, he was abroad with his parents and he started initiating conversations, asking to speak with hotel staff and confidently ordering in shops. His parents were amazed. The language barrier just broke down.
We also introduce children to sports they’ve never tried. For example, tennis, cricket, swimming, alongside daily football. It’s amazing to watch them discover new interests and build confidence through those experiences.
A word to parents
Al Gibson: Finally, what would you say to parents considering sending their child to an academic / sports camp
Vitalii Bresler: Today, it’s not just about reassuring parents, it’s about involving the child. In the past, parents might say, “It’s safe, it looks good, you’re going.” Now, they say, “Let’s ask if our child is happy to go.”
We’ve responded by making the programme more flexible. We let kids choose activities, swimming or basketball, for example, so they feel more in control. That wasn’t possible in traditional Ukrainian camps, which had fixed schedules.
We also created a guide for parents, with input from psychologists, on how to talk with their child about camp especially if the child is anxious about making friends or going alone. We want every child to know: you’re good enough as you are. You don’t need to be the loudest or most outgoing to have a great time.
So my advice to parents? Talk with your child. Watch videos of the camps together and ask, “Does this look like something you’d enjoy?” If they feel good about it, they’ll grow through it and that’s where the magic happens.
Places are still available at Sidcot School until 17 August! Give your child a summer to remember with our unique mix of football, fun and learning. 👉 Register now at football.academiccamp.org
Vitalii Bresler and British Camp have 12 years of working with children and teenagers. Over 8,600 campers have attended more than 173 sessions English with native speakers and campers from around the world. Now, in partnership with Academic Summer, this trusted experience is available in the UK, combining expert sports coaching with high-quality English learning.
Al Gibson is a business journalist based in Exeter. He started Countdown Creative in 2020 offering copywriting services to local companies, charities and organisations.
