Writer, mentor and sports educator
Szabolcs Pápai – Arthur Dunbar
I have worked with children, young people and families for almost three decades. DEN is a new initiative, built on many years of practical experience.
Two names, one journey
My official name is Szabolcs Pápai
I publish as Arthur Dunbar. I have used this English-language pen name for almost twenty years; it is part of a long creative and professional journey.
My work with children has never fitted under a single title. I have worked in childcare, child welfare, schools, camps and sports communities. I have talked with parents, taught, coached and organised shared activities, repeatedly reaching the same conclusion: a child is a person, not a problem.
A personal conviction
Connection, rather than control.
Understanding a child's behaviour does not mean allowing everything. Understanding brings more precise responsibility.
Adults need to be present and maintain safe boundaries while allowing children their own path. Relationships, consistency and shared real-life experiences teach more than ready-made answers imposed from outside.
Professional milestones
Experience gained among people
- 01
Pilismarót Forest Nomad Camp
My parents founded the Pilismarót Forest Nomad Camp. I grew up there, later took over its leadership and began organising and leading hikes. Camp and hiking leadership has remained part of my life for almost thirty years.
- 02
Civilian service in a kindergarten
Military service was still compulsory at the time. I completed civilian service at Erzsébet Királyné Kindergarten in Esztergom, working with children and helping the teachers and assistants in their everyday work.
- 03
Child welfare work
As a case manager at the Dorog Child Welfare Service, I worked with families facing difficult circumstances. It became especially clear to me that behaviour always has a story and a need behind it.
- 04
Childcare
I also worked at Ficuka Children's Hotel, where I gained my childcare qualification. That work taught me that a child's sense of safety begins in small everyday details.
- 05
School and sports education
I completed a two-year full-time course and gained an advanced sports instructor qualification. I worked as a visiting physical education teacher, sports instructor and coach, teaching physical education and self-defence in several schools. I have always seen movement as a space for education.
- 06
Boxing and community building
I founded, led and coached the boxing section of the Hajdú Antal Franciscan Student Sports Association. As founder and coach of Esztergom Box Club, I also worked on building a sporting community.
- 07
Writing and mentoring
Over the years, practical experience became articles, series, books and handbooks. DEN Library and DEN's programmes are complementary parts of that long journey.
How I work
Life as our classroom
Our work together may involve learning, training, paddling, hiking, conversation or a practical task. The form may change, but the essentials remain: real situations, personal attention, clear boundaries and gradually achievable responsibility.
First, I need to understand who the child is, where they are in life, what interests or frightens them, their strengths and the adult presence that can truly help. That is where our shared journey begins.
Professional background at a glance
Qualifications and practice together
Qualifications are an important foundation, alongside years spent working with children. Both study and practical experience have shaped my approach.
- Advanced sports instructor qualification gained through a two-year full-time course.
- Experience in physical education teaching, sports instruction and coaching.
- Childcare qualification and child welfare experience.
- Experience leading camps, hikes and community building.
- Almost three decades of practical teaching, educational work and work with children.
DEN is the present form of that long journey.
A place where writing, education, movement, nature, community and personal attention form part of the same commitment to children.
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