Maybe good accommodation, great food, and some helpful information? I’ve never been so torn about a pole camp before. Here’s why, and what I would pay particular attention to next time.
First, a quick disclaimer: I hesitated for a long time about whether I should even publish this report. Our pole world is relatively small, and I didn’t want to upset or step on anyone’s toes. However, it’s important for me to make you aware of what a pole camp can truly be like so that you can learn from my mistakes. That’s why I’ve decided to share my experience with you, though for self-protection, I will not mention names or specific details.
The pole camp took place during the summer. It was a whole week of pole workshops on heels! There were supposed to be over 39 classes with a variety of international Heels Pole instructors. The 65+ participants were divided into four groups with the levels Beginner/Intermediate, Advanced, and Elite. Ideally, each group would have around 16 people with 10 poles per room, and the workshops were held simultaneously in two rooms.
This pole camp was my fourth one. I became aware of it during my search for an exotic pole camp, which was still quite rare at the time. But what sets this one apart from the previous camps?
Did I Get Scammed?
I was really worried about signing up and later finding out it was a scam. There was no website, no registration link, just an Instagram profile. But many instructors were tagged, and they also commented on the posts.
So, no risk – no fun!
After a DM on Instagram, I received an email with an IBAN and a request to transfer the deposit to secure my spot. Unfortunately, no amount or invoice was specified, so I had to go back to the Instagram profile to look for the deposit amount. I transferred the amount directly, but in euros instead of the requested currency, as my bank simply didn’t offer it. I then sent a message to the organizer with a screenshot of the current exchange rate to check if it was okay – “Yes, that’s fine!” Phew! And then I had to wait... and wait... and wait... and the fear of being scammed kept growing.
Then, finally, I received a sign of life and was added to a WhatsApp group. Phew, surely now all the details and schedule will follow! At least I thought so, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
A Long Wait
We got the location, and were asked for details like our level, shoe and clothing sizes, whether we wanted to share a room with someone specific, and whether we were vegetarian or not.
Two months before the camp, I became impatient and asked for the schedule because I needed to know when my first workshop would be. The response was: “Next week.” And barely a month before, we received a provisional plan. Fine, because it turned out I would be having the very first workshop.
The plan was revised twice due to several errors in writing and planning, causing confusion among both students and instructors, as not everyone had the current version. There was no information about which room the classes would take place in, nor the content of each course, only who would be teaching each class.
In the week before the camp, we were informed that there wouldn’t be enough mats and that we should bring our own. Shortly afterward, more mats were arranged.
Costs
At nearly 930 euros, the camp was very affordable considering the number of workshops and instructors. Despite multiple requests from other participants and myself, we still haven’t received an invoice.
Travel
With an over 8-hour journey, I was actually in the average range. I chose to drive by car because the nearest airport was still quite far away (about 1.5 hours), and taking a Flixbus would have taken at least 17 hours. In the end, I was extremely happy about that because I was flexible and independent. On the way, I picked up two incredibly lovely girls and took them to the pole camp. One of them, for example, needed to be driven to the hospital (yes, you read that correctly – the hospital!), but more on that later. Initially, I wanted to rent a parking space at the hotel, but there were several free parking spots on the street in front of the hotel.
A Warm Welcome?
Finally arrived! Now, to settle in, collect the information, and start the first workshops! But where do we need to go?
At the hotel reception, no one spoke either German or English. So out came the translation app, and we had to explain why we were there. Then we stood there with our keys in hand, confused, because the reception building clearly couldn’t accommodate the rooms. So, we went back to the reception and asked for directions. The lady took us to the building – good thing, because otherwise, we would have gotten lost. :D
Youth Hostel Vibes
Luxury, this wasn’t. The house had a “charming” Eastern Bloc feel, and the room decor seemed quite old. My roommate, who had arrived a day earlier, had put the chairs out on the balcony to give us more space. Unfortunately, there was no insect netting, and no air conditioning, so we had to choose between heat or mosquitoes. Overall, everything was quite outdated. The bed was fine, and with earplugs, we could sleep decently.
Our Balcony
The room was not cleaned during our stay, and no towels were replaced. After much discussion, my roommate and I were each given an extra shower towel to use for the beach. When we asked for clean towels, as we had to shower multiple times a day and the towels got used frequently, we were reluctantly given three bath mats. I’ve heard from others that they were entirely refused a towel exchange.
The instructors, like us students, shared a room unless they paid for a single room. Not all instructors stayed for the entire camp; some were replaced halfway through, and the new instructor received the predecessor's bed. What shocked me the most was the statement that the bed linen for these instructors wasn’t even changed, and in some cases, even on request, it wasn't.
Meals
Meals were served three times a day at set times:
Breakfast: 08:00-09:30
Lunch: 13:00-14:30
Dinner: 17:30-18:30
Breakfast and dinner were a very simple buffet, while lunch was a set soup + main course. If you arrived 5 minutes late, they would refuse to serve you. The annoying part was that some of the classes were scheduled during the meal times, so there was barely time to eat. If a class ran late, which happens sometimes, we were left hungry, despite being physically drained. As a vegetarian or vegan or someone with specific dietary needs, you had to book the vegetarian/vegan option in advance and even pay about 20 euros more.
The hotel was just a few minutes’ walk from the beach, and there were several cheap supermarkets, a pharmacy, and lots of tourist shops, restaurants, and cafés nearby. My roommate and I couldn’t get used to the fact that every beachgoer would set up a fence, sometimes 1x1 meters, sometimes more than 3x3 meters. And so, we heard the typical tack tack tack sound in the mornings as they hammered the fence into the sand. It definitely offered a very unusual sight. :D
There were also various other hotel guests, including several classes of children around 9-11 years old, who clearly didn’t expect a pole camp. Therefore, we often received curious looks when they saw us training, especially when they heard us. Who expects to hear “Dripping’ wet vag*na” at full volume for an hour during their holiday?
The Highlight – The Workshops
There were two training rooms near our rooms, and two workshops were held simultaneously at all times. The workshops took place from 09:00 to 14:00, 15:30 to 18:00, and 19:00 to 21:30. Unfortunately, the plan didn’t indicate which room the workshops would be in, so we had to guess every time. Eventually, it became clear that the groups just stayed in the same room as they were in earlier. Also, there were no details about the contents of the workshops, so we couldn’t really prepare or equip ourselves properly. The schedule was changed several times, so even the instructors didn’t always have the most up-to-date version, leading to confusion. Usually, the poles were shared, which made it extremely difficult for me, as a motor learner, to follow the choreography, especially since the rooms weren’t large enough for so many people.
The workshops, however, were amazing. They were almost an apology for all the negative experiences we "had to endure" there. After almost every workshop, I thought to myself, "That was the best workshop so far." The trainers were almost all so passionate about what they were doing and had prepared beautiful choreographies, combinations, and tricks. The workshops were at a very high level and were a wonderful challenge for me. Some trainers really tuned into the mood of the group and discarded the previously planned session to better adapt to our needs. We were motivated and pushed hard, sometimes sassy and sometimes very emotional. Whenever I think back to the workshops, I feel so excited and get a motivational boost. Also, I never would have imagined that I would enjoy Hardstyle so much!
The previous Pole Camps really paid off. I noticed that, compared to earlier Pole Camps, I was able to learn the choreographies much faster and had less trouble forgetting them.
When Training Becomes Dangerous
I had to stop one of the floor workshops with heels because all participants were taught in one room. I almost hit someone on the head multiple times, and I was almost hit several times as well. One participant got hit in the finger by a heel with full force and started bleeding. Unfortunately, the organizer didn’t take care of her.
Additionally, I felt that some workshops were not adjusted to the levels, which posed an increased risk of injury. For example, in a choreography class for beginners, a backflip with a heel landing was required…
One participant unfortunately injured herself so badly in a choreography that she couldn’t continue attending the workshops. When she reached out to the organizer, she was put off and had to go to the nearest hospital privately. In general, the organizer didn’t care much about the concerns of participants and instructors, and when there was a problem, we were left to handle it alone.
The Farewell
The weather got worse, and we were worried the planned farewell party on the beach would be canceled. But no cancellation came. Some people dressed up, and we suspected the party would be moved to the pole rooms instead. Through word of mouth, we were informed that we could pick up our certificate there. So, we made our way – but all that awaited us was the certificate. We weren’t allowed to use the rooms for a party due to noise complaints. There was no party, no drinks, and no food. We got something to eat and drink and sat outside together, but the disappointment among everyone was palpable.
Conclusion: My Pole Camp Experience – A Roller Coaster Ride
The most important thing first: every pole camp is different! It really depends on your expectations, the organizer, the instructors, and the conditions. So far, I’ve had a lot of positive experiences with pole camps, even though they were exhausting. Please don’t let this report discourage you. In general, I would always recommend pole camps, which is why I’m already looking forward to the next one in April! :)
My fourth pole camp was an emotional roller coaster. The initial uncertainty due to the unusual registration process and lack of organizational transparency made me doubt the seriousness of the camp at first. But despite all my doubts, I embraced the adventure and gained some valuable experiences.
The workshops were undoubtedly the highlight of the camp. The instructors impressed with their passion and professionalism, which made up for the lack of organization in many other areas. However, the lack of structure – from last-minute schedule changes to language barriers – was a constant companion and caused unnecessary uncertainties.
The accommodation at the hotel was functional but not ideal. The charm of the Eastern Bloc feel, lack of cleaning services, and organizational shortcomings like limited food options and inadequate towel provisions dulled the experience. The risk of injury during the workshops was, in my opinion, an underappreciated issue, which could have been minimized with better planning and coordination.
Still, the camp was a valuable and unforgettable experience that not only gave me new pole dance skills but also many new acquaintances and exciting challenges. I’m still in close contact with some of the participants! If you’re adventurous and willing to take initiative, this camp could definitely be worth it. However, I would wish for better organization, more transparency, and better support in future camps.
Would I recommend this particular camp? If the workshops and people are all that matter to you, maybe. Otherwise, probably not. The good news is, there are now countless pole camps available. Before booking, take a look at how professional the organizer is, whether the poles have to be shared, and how the accommodation, food, and planning are handled. Check if the trainers have been tagged or commented on posts to avoid scams. Thoroughly verify whether the camp meets your expectations and requirements. Seek out feedback and recommendations from your circle or the pole community, like in Facebook groups. It’s better to ask a few too many questions than to be disappointed later. A good organizer will gladly answer your questions and provide you with all the necessary information! <3
Reminder: My friends and followers thought I was having the time of my life based on the stories and videos from the workshops. There was even a talk about whether I'd come back at all! :D So don’t forget: Not everything you see on Insta is the full reality. ;)
Did you find this report interesting and would you like to read about my other experiences? Feel free to leave a comment!
This is a personal and subjective experience report! Depending on your focus and expectations, there may be discrepancies with the experiences of other camp participants.
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