The pioneer group was loosely based on Scouting, but organised in such a way as to teach schoolchildren aged 6 – 14 socialist ideology and prepare them for the "Freie Deutsche Jugend", the FDJ. Afternoons spent at the pioneer group mainly consisted of a mixture of adventure, myth-like socialist teaching and the upkeep of revolutionary traditions. In the summer, children usually went to pioneer camps similar to the West German "Wandervogel" groups or the Scouts. International pioneer camps were also common, intended to foster friendship between different nationalities.