Polish summer camps criticised for humiliating 'colonial baptism' rituals

Parents in Poland are increasingly voicing strong opposition to the traditional "colonial baptism" practiced at many summer camps. While some camps limit the ceremony to harmless games and symbolic activities, others still subject children to degrading and potentially dangerous tasks, such as walking barefoot on pine cones, being thrown into lakes fully clothed, or consuming unpalatable mixtures of food. Parents report incidents where children were forced to drink concoctions made from cafeteria leftovers, including ketchup, Nutella, raw egg, mustard and hot sauce, causing distress and illness. Organisers claim the ritual is meant to integrate newcomers and break the ice, but critics argue it often devolves into intimidation and humiliation. Although a number of camps are moving away from such practices, the tradition persists in some locations, prompting parents to demand clear information before enrolling their children and to withdraw from camps that do not guarantee safe, voluntary participation.