“Teach a youth about the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
In the spotlight today is Kids and Culture Camp. It is a camp for kids ages 3 to 12 that introduces children to the international scene at an early age. It aims to help kids “broaden their awareness, tolerance, and appreciation of themselves and the diverse world around them.”
At the four-week summer camp, children take part in fun and culturally focused activities that also emphasize educational themes like: visual and performing arts, science, math, and technology, and social history and geography. Each week centers around a new culture. The themes for the 2019 summer camp are: Canada’s Captivating Culture, Uganda’s Unique Unity, Trinidad & Tobago’s Tremendous Triumphs, and Indonesia’s Illustrious Islands. The Spring camp will feature Ethiopia’s Extraordinary Empire.
The camp is held in the Washington, D.C. metro area. It’s founder and executive director is a dear friend of mine, Jania Otey. She got together a group of moms to form a collaborative where parents are the teachers of the kids at camp and the creators of the curriculum. Children have the opportunity to learn hands-on and by immersion into the cultures of focus through activities, field trips, and uniquely designed instruction.
Kids and Culture Camp (KCC) started out in a couple of classrooms on the campus of Jania’s alma mater, Howard University. Now, 10 years later, the camp partners with public charter schools in the area and has two locations. It has also expanded to include Spring and Winter camps. The camp has been highlighted in several magazines and news articles and has been featured on radio stations.
Among other things, the children garden, learn how to cook and play chess, and they experience various cultures through music and performances. The camp is also inexpensive, and there are opportunities for scholarships to assist with costs, where necessary. Volunteer opportunities are available, and teens can take part in the Counselor-In-Training (CIT) program.
Jania works tirelessly throughout the year to provide the best possible experience for all her campers. She is passionate about KCC and teaching children. Often refusing to take a salary for herself, she puts additional resources back into the camp to try and keep costs low for parents so that as many kids as possible that want to attend camp can have the chance.
With all the things that the kids learn and experience at KCC, I know that parents would want their kids to be a part of it. If you or someone you know are in the D.C. area, then Kids and Culture Camp is the place to be this summer. To learn more, to register your kids, to volunteer, or to sponsor a child, check out their video below and their website at https://www.kidsandculture.com.
Photos courtesy of http://www.kidsandculture.com
Christ Leads The Way 