2016 Summer Camp Registration Now Open!

Academic Enrichment | Arts & Crafts | Culinary Arts & Nutrition |  Field Trips | Games | 

History & Culture | Manners & Etiquette Lessons | Prep4Life (Asante Children's Theatre)| 

Reading/Storytelling | Team Building Activities 

Looking for creative and fun learning activities to engage your child over the summer break? Register now for the Freetown Village Summer Day Camp!

Dates:  June 13 - July 22, 2016, 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday

             Early check in available (7:00 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.) 

Location: Freetown Village Summer Camp will be held at Zion Hope Church

              (46^th and Arlington Avenue). 

Cost: $75.00 per week, plus one-time registration fee.  

Eligibility: Open to children between the ages of 5 and 14 (grades K—8).  

               Spaces are limited. Early registration ends April 8th.

For applications or additional information, please email: 

Marriam A. Umar, Program Director, marriam@freetownvillage.org. 

Applications available at www.freetownvillage.org 

  

  

Now Hiring for Summer Camp Staff!

Manners & Etiquette

  
Table Manners & Etiquette:
What's the Big Deal?

Have you ever been to a restaurant and wondered which fork, spoon or napkin to use? Or, have you ever reached for your water glass only to discover that someone else is drinking from it?  For many, the practice of good table manners and etiquette, that were common place a generation or two ago, are sometimes tossed out in favor of convenience.

Our twenty-first century lifestyle is often fast paced and informal, and many of our young people simply have not been taught or have few opportunities to practice proper table etiquette. We know how valuable it is for our campers to learn and practice these skills so they will be equipped in all types of social settings.  

Javon, serving his class, the "Royal Lions" (2nd - 3rd grade) their morning snack.  On this day, we had apple slices.

This week, campers discussed common table manner, and the reasons why they are important.

• No elbows on the table.  You might get food on your clothes.
• Chew with your mouth closed.  You might drop food out of your mouth and give us something unsightly to see.
• Don't reach across the table.  You might knock something over.
• Don't stuff food in your mouth.  You could easily choke, plus you cannot talk with your mouth stuffed with food!

Campers also learned how to set the table. It is never too young to learn table etiquette, as our PreK-1st  graders (The Powerful Butterflies) quickly demonstrated their skills and memorized this simple poem:

Traditions: Strawberry Shortcake & Ice cream

Traditions:  Strawberry Shortcake & Ice cream

Freetown Village Summer Camp is full of traditions, and during the first week, strawberries play an important part.  Our field trip to Waterman's Farm has become a tradition over the past 10+ years, and there's nothing quite like the taste of fresh-picked strawberries!  For many of our campers, this is the first time they've been on a farm and made a direct connection with a food source.  


The first year we visited, the campers were horrified at the thought of picking food "off of the ground"!  The stunned adults asked, "Well, where do you think strawberries come from?" Their response?  "The store!" We knew right then that we had to make sure hands-on experiences with food were a part of our curriculum every summer.   

Back at camp, it's time to get to work.  Each class has a responsibility in making the sweet treat.  To get things started, our 4th - 5th graders have the responsibility of de-stemming and slicing the berries. The next morning, our 6th -8th graders make the shortcakes, and help the PreK-3rd graders to hand-crank the vanilla ice cream.

After lunch and recess, it all comes together in a delicious strawberry shortcake with a scoop of ice cream!  

Week 7: Enthusiasm

Our proverb for week 7 is most fitting as we enter our last week of summer camp: "All good things must come to an end".  Look at all the things we did this summer - we made new friends, learned new things, and explored new places. Kids can look forward to returning to school and sharing their new discoveries with their friends and teachers. Our theme this week focuses on a character trait that promotes:

Enthusiasm!

There are great benefits to being the enthusiastic person of the group. It grows into opportunity, achievement and confidence. The more we view the glass as "half full", the more fulfillment and joy we will have in our lives. It's important that each individual child be themselves so that they can be enthusiastic and excited about the activities they enjoy.

Think Outside the Hoop
Davin, one of our older campers, took it upon himself to mentor one of the younger campers, Kyler. Together, they worked on building a fort out of hula hoops. They quickly became the trendsetters during recess, and other campers were excited to try making their own hula hoop forts!
                               

The hula hoop fort is a basic example of how enthusiasm can lead to some amazing ideas within a child's mind. 

Enthusiastic children will become enthusiastic adults. As children grow up, they are faced with more challenges and obstacles. This can easily become frustrating and discouraging, but they can overcome these frustrations with their secret weapon: enthusiasm!


Summer Camp Collaboration
Our field trip to Fort Harrison State Park has become an annual tradition. Campers celebrate their summer together with a day of games and a picnic. So this year, we invited our friends from Kaleidoscope/MLK Center to enjoy the beautiful day with us!  

As we made our introductions, we divided into 4 blended teams and rotated through a variety of activities. Each team was able to play kickball, go on a hike, make a craft, and have some free time on the playground.

All that really worked up an appetite! We grilled hot dogs, corn, and enjoyed watermelon and s'mores for lunch. Yum! Both camps spent the remaining afternoon participating in the field day challenge.

Willie Gupton, Kaleidoscope Director of Youth Programs, raved about how the event was a huge success. 

"Most of my campers had never been to Fort Harrison before, so the experience was especially exciting for those unfamiliar with the park.  The following day, parents commented on how much they enjoyed the field day, and asked why we haven't done anything like this this before." 

Enjoying s'mores!

Free time at the playground

Field day challenge

Working together to create a yarn bowl

Yep, our first collaboration experience gave us a great opportunity to positively interact with another camp. Together we celebrated new friends, old friends, moving forward and remembering all the great experiences we've had over the summer. A big thanks to Kaleidoscope for partnering up with Freetown Village Summer Camp to celebrate diversity, teamwork and positive character skills in action!

It Takes a Village: Thank you !

All these great activities and experiences would not be possible without our amazing partners, sponsors, and volunteers. We greatly appreciate all the support and response to the mission we continue to strive for at Freetown Village. See everyone next summer!

Week 6: Dependability

Freetown Village Summer Camp continues to thrive as campers grow and learn together as a camp family. Pack your energy, creativity, and thinking caps. We're ready to start Week 6!

This week, we are focusing on what it means to be a reliable, committed and trustworthy person. 

Dependability

During the first week of camp, each class develops their code of conduct with the "5 Finger Contract". The conditions include safety, commitment, no put-downs, follow direction, and (mutual) support. Each camper agrees to the contract by signing their name.

Whether at school, home, or on the playing field, others want to know that you're a team player. Teamwork is a vital part of the camp experience, and dependability is makes camp more interactive and enjoyable for everyone.

Trying New Tastes Together

Who says kids don't like trying new fruits and vegetables? That's certainly not true at our camp! 

Each week, campers discovered new and healthy foods with Chef Rice, and embraced new experiences together as a team. Some of our new foods included kiwi, passion fruit, mango, kiwano melon, and papaya. Gathered around, they were able to see what the inside of each fruit looked like as well as understand the taste and texture of them. Campers pledged to take at least one bite of the new foods. Some were hesitant, but with the encouragement of their classmates they realized that they actually enjoyed it! Kids couldn't wait to bring their new discoveries home to share with their families. 

Each week, campers discovered new and healthy foods with Chef Rice. As the kids gathered around, they were able to see what the inside of each fruit looked like as well as understand the taste and texture of them. Campers pledged to take at least one bite of the new foods, which included kiwi, passion fruit, mango, kiwano melon, and papaya. Some were hesitant, but with the encouragement of their classmates they realized that they actually enjoyed it! Campers couldn't wait to bring their new discoveries home to share with their families. Mrs. Ellen remarked on how well the kids were responding to these new foods:

"The kids responded really well to the new fruit choices. It's important to show our kids that junk food is not a healthy choice. Fruits and veggies should be more available to kids. It's not enough to give them the choice between a cookie or a banana."

Not only did they try new foods, our older campers (4th - 8th) prepared healthy snack alternatives to their usual processed items. These kids don't need much encouragement because they are already so pumped about this activity! Campers are excited about doing their part, feeling accomplished and working together with their camp family.
New snacks included homemade pretzels and fruit smoothies. They also learned real life skills like properly measuring ingredients (math), why yeast causes dough to rise (science), and how to make pretzel knots (creativity). Cooking combines attention to detail, following direction and team work for the finished product. Campers were surprised to learn how these new foods tasted even better when combined with other ingredients to make a delicious dish!

Chef Rice also led our older campers (4th - 8th) through Food Labs, in which they prepared healthy snack alternatives to their usual processed items.  In the Labs, they learned from Chef Rice that cooking, although fun, requires attention to detail, following directions and team work to achieve the desired outcome.  Many were surprised at how much cooking involves science and math, especially when baking.  New snacks included homemade pretzels and fruit smoothies.  Campers were excited about doing their part, feeling accomplished and working together with their camp family.  

Checkmate

The ultimate board game of battle, strategy and risk!  Campers enthusiastically learned how to play this 1,500-year-old game from one of our program partners Learning Through Games.  For some of our campers it was brand new, for some review, but all enjoyed our afternoon sessions with Aaron Dean (top left).  

Two words: UniverSoul Circus!

When I say "Big Top" you say "Circus"!  Hang onto your hats, kids. We're going to the circus! You mean that big tent in Lafayette Square? Yep! Once you walk in, you're in another world. A world filled with magic, where anything is possible!

For our weekly field trip, campers and staff once again enjoyed the eclectic, daring and spell-binding performances of the UniverSoul Circus. Lions, clowns, contortionists, dancing dogs, fire-jugglers, and a flying trapeze troupe - every moment was packed with suspense and glamour. This was definitely an experience that we will never forget!  

Getting ready to enter the Big Top!

Monte, Alexis, and London pose with Zeke, the Ringmaster's Sidekick. 

It Takes A Village

Freetown Village Summer Camp continues to build character and promote team work in children throughout Indiana. Our mission to bring diversity and positive citizenship to the community will take the work and spirit of a village to achieve. Every year, we come closer as a camp family and as a team, having so much fun learning, growing and succeeding together!

We need your help to continue to grow and succeed in bringing positive growth to the Indianapolis community. If your interested in volunteering or donating to the efforts of Freetown Village, please contact us for more information at freetown@freetownvillage.com or 317-631-1870.

Week 5: Endurance

"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!

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:

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!"

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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.

Posted by Raechel Amey