I have a lot to tell about camp, but missed my first week of classes and am jumping back in so will have to wait until I have a handle on my new schedule and courses until I can write more. I spent a good deal of time journaling, however, so I hope to share this with you.
I can tell you now, though, that one of the reasons I haven't been on as much (other than simply not having internet access) has been a security issue. During orientation, I heard first and second-hand stories from the area of Brazil we were staying in of kidnappings and armed robberies (in people's homes) and it posed a serious threat to reveal that I was at a site in the country with a large group of affluent kids. CLV has a direct connection with IBM so a lot of the students' parents work for the company and I did not want to put any of the villagers - or staff - at risk by giving away too much information.
Camp in general was also a lot different from what I expected. The staff had all lived abroad and spoke other languages, many of them with CLV experience (some in Minnesota, some at the Hometown locations in Europe and Brazil). Like CLV's other programs, we ran a language immersion-based program with time for singing and language classes twice a day, but it also had a business theme, teaching the kids (ages 9-16 with a generally high level of ability) to use practical English. The villagers only attended for a one-week session at a time, but during this time, they created a small city of sorts, called Simtown, with five branches: City Council, Fine Arts Council, the Media, Parks and Recreation and the Chamber of Commerce. We held elections with speeches and a town hall style meeting (covered by the media and for which the Fine Arts Council was hired to do election posters). The Chamber of Commerce made food to sell, Parks and Rec planned events with entrance fees, the Fine Arts Council took orders and came up with projects that we needed to write grant proposals to get money for. The kids did it all with the staff helping mostly with language and in a support/mentorship role. They even paid taxes and levied tariffs on things like not using English in activities. Each branch had a senator, spokesperson and accountant/treasurer who figured out wages based on participation.
Truly incredible and I think the kids gained a lot. I certainly did as a staff member, as well.
Like the other villages, we also held nightly evening programs focused on cultural themes: State Fair, the Wild West (I ran an Oregon Trail simulation with some others), Homecoming (which became a fashion show when it rained), Halloween (incorporated into a Clue-themed scavenger hunt) and immigration (all steps of the process, with attention paid to difficulties incurred by those with different SES).
The first week, we had about three counselors to four kids in each cabin, with eight kids to two counselors the second week. Living with Brazilian kids, I learned a lot about cultural differences (like that Brazilians like to "bathe" several times a day, even if it is for a few minutes... different from the US and difficult with ten people to a shower), but the experience also reenforced how many common traits we truly have as members of our global community (and how kids are really just kids... anywhere).
And finally, the food. Many hated it. I loved it... and came back with a few extra pounds to prove it. But it was worth it. Missing the cheese and bread already!
As I am back in school mode, I actually need to get going to get some reading done. My best friend is coming in from Minnesota for the weekend so I'm trying to plan ahead (and am now finally caught up on sleep), but thank you to those of you following along and I hope to be able to share more soon... especially so I can capture some of the more detailed memories and moments while they are still potent. Brazil in general was magical, but also so grateful I had the opportunity to participate in the Hometown program (and would do it again in a heartbeat).
Until next time... chow! - b
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