"When the going gets tough, the tough get going" - we've all heard that saying. When a situation becomes difficult, the strong will work harder to meet the challenge. Strength comes from finding a way to stay in the game, dig your heels in and make it happen!
Our theme for the week focused on a character trait that relies on resistance skills, and what it takes to keep productive in stressful times:
ENDURANCE
Rediscovering Roots
In the early years of our summer camp, we planted a garden as a community service project. Our site partner, St. Alban's Episcopal Church, had a food pantry, and we were able to donate the produce to their pantry. When the pantry closed, the garden project ended.
This year, in an effort to expand our camper's understanding of food and making healthy choices, we decided to re-established the garden. Along with developing knowledge in various Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields, it also gives campers the opportunity to get hands-on experience with science and math. While learning about plant development, the kids also learn about water cycles, garden graphing and plant identification. Thanks to Ginny Roberts, Purdue Extension Office, for your guidance and development of this project.
Ms. Jones takes her class, the Brave Horses (4th - 5th), outside for garden graphing. Each week, campers measures the plants' progress, then record their findings in their garden graphing notebooks. The kids include a thoughts page about watching the plants grow. Cucumber and tomatoes are the favorites!
Through the garden project, we are connecting our campers to agricultural traditions that bring sustainability to our communities. Ms. Jones explains how the garden gives campers a chance to discover new foods and understand it's origins:
"Knowledge of fruits and vegetables is so important. I think it's a powerful connection for [campers] to see the changes in each plant as they grow. Some of them have never seen a turnip before!"
By the way, we have plenty of fresh basil that needs a good home! If you'd like to pick up some, give us a call at 317-828-1848.
Campers enjoyed learning the plant parts and relating that to their snacks and food labs with Chef Rice. As part of their plant activities, their snack featured jicama. Most campers had never heard of or tried jicama, but wanted seconds right away. Rock-paper-scissors determined who would get the remaining jicama snack!
Campers enjoyed learning the plant parts and relating that to their snacks and food labs with Chef Rice. As part of their plant activities, their snack featured jicama. Most campers had never heard of or tried jicama, but wanted seconds right away. Rock-paper-scissors determined who would get the remaining jicama snack!
The American Pastime
Baseball shaped some of the early traditions that we still practice today. During World War II, baseball was so important to the people that they started integrating the teams. The first player who crossed the "color barrier" was Jackie Robinson. After finishing college and military training, he joined the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League in 1945.
Our role models this week include Hall of Fame player, Jackie Robinson, and Freetown Vintage baseball player and team coach, Bernard McFarland. Those who we look up to are not just well-known athletes, but also local representatives of our city and community. It gives campers the opportunity to meet and talk with them about what they do for their community. Mrs. Ellen reflected on this week's lessons:
What better way to celebrate our heroic role models than going to Victory Field? Kids were able to see the Indianapolis Indians play against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. In their Freetown Village t-shirts, campers enjoyed some popcorn and sang the Star-Spangled Banner to christen the game!
Our theme is "It Takes a Village" - please consider a contribution to our progress!
Freetown Village Summer Camp continues to progress in the mission to educate children under the umbrella of tradition, family and history.
Any questions?
Please contact Freetown Village at 317-631-1870 or freetown@freetownvillage.org.
Baseball shaped some of the early traditions that we still practice today. During World War II, baseball was so important to the people that they started integrating the teams. The first player who crossed the "color barrier" was Jackie Robinson. After finishing college and military training, he joined the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League in 1945.
Our role models this week include Hall of Fame player, Jackie Robinson, and Freetown Vintage baseball player and team coach, Bernard McFarland. Those who we look up to are not just well-known athletes, but also local representatives of our city and community. It gives campers the opportunity to meet and talk with them about what they do for their community. Mrs. Ellen reflected on this week's lessons:
Learning about Jackie Robinson was an exciting class activity! We used our team building exercise - Human Baseball, with Freetown Village facts connected the physical movement of players. Seeing a live baseball game pulled together the learning dimensions of the players and the game itself.
What better way to celebrate our heroic role models than going to Victory Field? Kids were able to see the Indianapolis Indians play against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. In their Freetown Village t-shirts, campers enjoyed some popcorn and sang the Star-Spangled Banner to christen the game!
Hey Rowdie! Meet the Brainy Badgers!
Ms. Jones, our Brave Horses (4th - 5th) Instructor, explains to campers the rules and lingo of baseball. Surprisingly, many kids are not familiar with the game. Jones recalls some great moments she had with her class while watching the game:
"We sat right by third base, so the class had a pretty good view of the game. As I'm explaining the game, I said that a player stole the base. The kids replied with, 'Where did he take it'? Then we saw ourselves on the Jumbotron, and the class was all excited. It was such a nice day, and the kids had a great time!"______________________________________________________________________________
Our theme is "It Takes a Village" - please consider a contribution to our progress!
Freetown Village Summer Camp continues to progress in the mission to educate children under the umbrella of tradition, family and history.
Any questions?
Please contact Freetown Village at 317-631-1870 or freetown@freetownvillage.org.
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