Latin American
Camp 2007: Imagine the experience of discovering Latin America culture with beautiful children representing Guatemala,
Dominican Republic and Mexico.
It was purely my pleasure, one that I poured my heart and soul into, and by the end of the week brought me to tears because
I felt so humbled and proud to be involved in something so important.
Our journey began joining together as one in a circle of friends. We
had a great time painting our faces like Amazon people and walking through a rain forest. Learning about the
different layers from the ground floor up to 150 feet to the canopy was also great fun. Legend has it that the Chilean
Indians made rain sticks to make rainy weather. We made a rain stick to take home. If you ever need it to
rain...shake your rain stick!
Get out of the kitchen and let your children cook the next yummy
Latin American meal! Tasting food found in Latin America was definitely on this week's
agenda. We melted chocolate and dipped bananas and pineapple in it, and ate it of course. The kids smashed pinto
beans to spread on corn tostadas, another yummy thing! And made guacamole. We all loved the food! The people
who live in Latin America are hard workers. We looked at how food is grown, crops are
planted and with what tools, or lack of. It's amazing how after the crops are picked they are carried on their heads
to market. So, the next time you are at Meijer, I challenge you to carry your bananas home on your head!
Grades 4 - 6 learned about the very first Cowboys! Yea haa! and were able to make their very own arrows
to take home.
We learned about mining Jade. The Jade is polished and made into jewelry and masks for religious things
and to sell or trade. Grades 4 - 6 made beautiful "Jade" necklaces! They also
made stationary using the beautiful bold colors of Latin America! These kids are artists!
Grades K - 3 decorated clay pots with "Jade" tiles and planted their own
"crop".
We welcomed Juan Jimenez who was born and raised in Guatemala
to come in and speak with us. It was great to hear his families story and see pictures of them.
Friday was a FIESTA! Piņata's, pin the tail on the donkey and
some free time to just be kids! A very special thank you to all of parents who believe in keeping our children's culture
alive. THANK YOU to all of volunteers. You know who you are. Because of you the camp was a huge success!
Sincerely, Dee Dee Fredette
