Check out some of the highlights so far from Session 2

NOTICE (Please Read):

1) The town of Easthampton is doing work on the road between Payson Lane and Greenwood Court from 7/28 - 7/30. This means that Brewester Avenue (the road off of Rte 10 / Main St that many of you travel down to get to the camp) will be closed. However, you can tell the officer at the detour that you are traveling to this camp and you will be granted access to the road.

2) We will be holding our annual family picnic on Thursday, July 31 at 5:30pm. Please note that the picnic is completely optional. However, if you do plan to attend, we ask that you RSVP by Wednesday morning. It is also important to note that pick-up will still take place at 4:00pm on that day. The time in between gives the counselors the opportunity to set up before the actual event begins at 5:30pm. Please know that this picnic is open to your entire family. Therefore, campers can bring their siblings, aunts, grandparents, etc. We just ask that you leave the pets at home because of some campers' allergic reactions. A parent also suggested that we make this picnic a pot-luck picnic. If you are interested in bringing something, please feel free to do so. However, you should know that we do plan to have enough food for everyone.

DAY 9

Sorry for the delayed post. We had such a great time yesterday that I forgot about the blog!

Yesterday started off like normal with our Morning Meeting. Afterwards, the campers played a couple rounds of the human knot. They quickly mastered 4 people and were excited about doing it with the entire group. Without any prompts from the counselors, they were able to get themselves out of the knot in less than 2 minutes!!!! They are ready for any corporate team building exercise!!!

After the human knot, we figured that we would try our luck with a game of Twister. However, instead of just using 1 mat, we used 4. We also started to remove a mat every time it was empty. We quickly got down to one mat. All of the campers did a great job recognizing the colors and body parts in Chinese.

Our next activity was our language lesson. We kept the groups together today and talked about the history of characters. We focused on the differences between traditional and simplified. We then talked about calligraphy, different types of brushes (including one Master that uses a mop!), and the importance of each stroke. The campers then had the opportunity to practice holding brushes the proper way and even created their own wall hangings with traditional brushes and ink. The campers did an amazing job and their control over the brush was pretty impressive.

We then had lunch and practice for our big performance tonight. It is going to be great!

After play practice, we went swimming for about an hour and returned to learn about jade jewelry. We then had the opportunity to make our own bracelets and necklaces. We will continue the lesson tomorrow with clay while also learning about terra cotta solider's.

 

DAY 8

Happy Wednesday! We had another great time at camp. As usual, we started our day with our morning meeting. That was followed by a game called Wolf's Dinner Time. In the game, Mr. Wolf yells out a time in Chinese. The rest of the group takes the same amount of steps toward the wolf as the amount of hours in the wolf's time (eg 4 o'clock - 4 steps). The game is a variation of Red Light/Green Light except it reinforces the campers knowledge of numbers and their ability to state the time in Chinese.

After our outside game and snack, we went into our language classes. The groups played many games including Kinga, Twister, and Tangram....all in Chinese.

After our language classes, the campers continued to practice their presentation for Thursday night's performance during the picnic. It is looking really great! Be sure to bring your cameras!

After practice and lunch, we had a special visit from the Western MA Go Association to and teach us about and how to play the game Go. For those that don't know, Go is the oldest game in the world. While it originated in China more than 4000 years ago, people from all over play the game. An interesting fact is that more people in the world play Go than any other game -- even Chess! It is a pretty challenging. It is so challenging that researchers cannot develop a computer program that can play the game well because there are so many possible moves. However, the campers picked up the game very quickly and showed some amazing skills. We will have a Go board available on Thursday night for anyone that wants to challenge one of the campers! :-)

After our Go workshop, we went swimming and had snack. Following snack, the campers learned about the history and significance of kites in China. They even had the opportunity to start making their own kites (that are actually able to fly).

DAY 7

Another great day at camp. We started the day with our normal morning meeting. When then went outside to learn about and play with the Chinese jump rope. Some campers were able to jump with the rope around people's waists! After a couple of rounds with the jump rope, the campers played Red Light/Green Light in Chinese. They have been doing a really good job using their language skills without prompts from the counselors. For instance, during snack, the campers easily ask for more food, say thank you, and use other basic statements with ease without being prompted. The more they can use the language, the more they will. You may even see them say some of these basic statements in your home.

After our outdoor games and snack, we welcomed back Perry Yung. He finished working with the kids in preparation for a special presentation Thursday night. The campers learned dance steps based on basic Tai Chi movements. They will work on finishing their costumes tomorrow. You will be amazed at the work they have done thus far.

Following our workshop with Perry and a delicious lunch, campers went into their language class. One group worked on being able to tell time in Chinese while constructing their own clocks. The second group continued to learn how to say, read and write new vocabulary. They also reviewed how to say directions and positional phrases. The exercises these two groups worked on were essential for our next activity where we learned about and how to make sun dials. With the history of people from China using astrology to measure the current time and future events, this hands-on activity was able to bring those things to light. The campers enjoyed using a compass to figure out directions and the current time.

After our sun dial activity, the campers went swimming and then returned for snack and another round of 20 questions. The campers LOVE playing 20 questions where they need to guess the animal that another camper is thinking. We play this game every day and at least 3 times a day. We are continuing to build a strong vocabulary so we can play this game completely in Mandarin by the end of the week. I can't wait!!!!

Following snack, we continued our exploration of the development of "china" (dishes). Theory states that the porcelain dishes were named "china" because of the beautiful dishes made by the Chinese and exported to the West. Westerners used the term "china" for short and the name stuck. It is believed that porcelain may date back to the Tang dynasty. The most valuable antique porcelain is from the Ming and Qing dynasty, particularly the blue and white porcelain. The campers worked on developing their own works of art that they will be able to take home and eat off of by Thursday.

DAY 6

It was great to see all of the campers back and smiling after our rainy weekend here in western MA. We started the day with our morning meeting which included stretches, greetings, and our circle songs. Afterwards, our campers went outside to play a game called Caterpillar. In the game, we divide into two teams. Then each team forms a line. The person in the front of the line can't see but can speak. The person in the back of the line can see but cannot talk. Those in the middle can't speak OR talk. The object of the game is to get your line (or caterpillar) to the food before the other team. This game allows the campers to work together for a common goal. It also helps reinforce some of the terms for directions that we used later in the day.

Following Caterpillar, we played a round of Marco Polo. The campers really enjoy playing this game in the pool. We decided to take it outdoors and enjoy the cool morning air. Instead of them campers yelling Marco Polo, they instead would say "Where are you?" and "Here I am" in Chinese.

After our morning games, we came inside to finish our shadow puppets. The campers did an amazing job finishing these figures. We will be putting on a show with our puppets later in the week.

Following the creation of our shadow puppets, we headed downstairs for a healthy snack.

After snack, we divided the campers into two groups based on their language ability for their daily lesson in Mandarin. The group that is just learning Chinese reviewed their greetings, numbers and body parts and began to review colors. They did this by identifying colors in the room as well as reading the classic Eric Carle book, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear," in Chinese (we also have "the Very Hungary Caterpillar"...I love reading it). The other group worked on some new vocabulary words and learned how to say and read them while also writing their characters. They then went on a scavenger hunt, trying to locate items in the building, while practicing their ability to use directional cues like "it is on" or "it is under" in Mandarin.

After language class and lunch, we had a very special workshop with Perry Yung (click here to go to his website). Perry comes to us from New York City and is multi-talented. When he is not making shakuhachi flutes, he is creating and performing theater with SLANT performance group. He will be working with us for the next two days to teach us a traditional Chinese story about two lions.

Following our workshop with Perry, we went swimming and had snack.

After snack, the campers learned about the history of "china" dishes and why certain colors are used. They then drew sketches for on paper plates in preparation for their tomorrow's activity where they get to paint their own porcelain dishes for them to take home.

DAY 5

As the campers would say, "Today was our most awesome day ever!!!!" We started the morning with a presentation from the Shaloin Kung-Fu of Amherst. They taught us the history of Kung-Fu and even allowed us to practice some of the animal stances. It was sooo cool!!!! They also dropped off coupons for a free week of child AND adult classes. Feel free to grab one next time you are here.

After our Kung-Fu lesson, we played a round of capture the flag and followed that with a tasty snack.

After snack, we divided our group based on language proficiency and started our language class. The group that knows a little more Chinese worked on their greetings, positional words, and then played a round of Guess Who ...completely in Chinese. Our second group reviewed their numbers and then learned how to say and recognize the characters parts of the body. They did such an amazing job that we were able to play a game later in the day where they outlined two of the campers and were then able to label all of the different body parts. Feel free to check out their sidewalk art during pick-up or drop-off.

After swimming, we learned about the Chinese Opera, Shadow Puppets and even had the opportunity to create our own Shadow Puppets. We will be putting on our very own play next week. Stay tuned!!!!!

DAY 4

Boston was awesome (or should I say, wicked)! The campers and counselors had a great time in Boston's Children's Museum. While it rained for most of the day, the trip to and from the museum was filled with laughs, games, great music, and listening to the Hampster Dance song about 15 times!

Campers had the opportunity to see the wonderful Children of Hangzhou exhibit. They learned about schools in Hangzhou, the Great Wall of China, Chinese Opera, and history of certain characters (like fish and feather) in Mandarin, and even had the opportunity to take and send pictures via email of their trip (parents, be sure to check your email to see if your camper send you something).

A trip to the museum wouldn't be complete without visiting some of the other areas. Campers had a blast climbing through the play structure, understanding how bubbles work, and learning about acceleration and motion via golf balls and, of course, visiting the gift shop.

When we arrived back to camp, the campers gathered together to talk about some of the similarities and differences between Hangzhou and America. The campers are VERY insightful.

DAY 3

Day 3 is done and boy, did we have fun!!!! The rain didn't dampen our spirits. We started today with our normal morning meeting. The campers learned a new song about making friends. We also played Fishy, Fishy, Cross My Ocean and the classic Duck, Duck Goose.

After our morning meeting, we divided the campers into groups based on their proficiency in Chinese. Those that know a little more Chinese worked on several Soduko puzzles...completely in Chinese!!!! The group that is just starting to learn Chinese worked on identifying numbers past 12 and then played a round on Bingo with numbers up to 100. Again, everything was in Chinese. Both groups did extremely well.

Following language class, the campers learned a little about the use of shadow puppets in Chinese theater and made their own puppets out of felt. On Friday, the group will be making their very on Shadow Puppet Theater, complete with their own characters and script.

After lunch, the entire group wanted to play a round of Chinese Bingo together. Everyone did a great job. One of our campers that is just learning Chinese won! It was such a delight to see them recognizing and repeating the characters after just one day of practice.

Chinese Bingo was followed by swimming and then a lesson about our pet geckos. Over the last couple of days, the campers have been really intrigued by their eating and sleeping habits. Today, Nola, one of our camp directors, took one of the geckos out of their tank and gave a great lesson about them. She even let the campers on the gecko. The lesson ended with a conversation about each camper's own pet (or a pet they would like to have).

REMINDER - Please don't forget that we will be traveling to the Boston Children's Museum tomorrow. Please make sure your camper wears his/her official camp t-shirt. Snacks, lunch and admission to the museum will be covered by Adventures in Chinese.

DAY 2

What a day!!! Campers had a blast participating in everything camp had to offer today. We started off the day with our morning meeting. During the morning meeting, campers participated in their morning stretches, learned how to respond when someone says "Ni hao ma?" and continued to practice the Ni Hao, Xie Xie (pronounced Knee How, Shay Shay) song to the rhythm of Are You Sleeping.

After our morning meeting, we went outside to play a game entitled Yu, Niao, Mao (which translates into Fish, Bird, Cat. Please excuse me for not including the accent marks. I am unsure how to do it on this program). The game plays like the classic Rock, Paper, Scissors. The only difference is that the campers are divided into two teams and each team must work together to collectively decide on an animal that they are going to be in order to capture members of the other team. For instance, yu (fish) beats mao (cat). Mao beats niao (bird). Niao beats yu. This game got the campers up and running while continuing to learn/practice animal names. Like several of our activities, this one was conducted only in Mandarin (except for when I explained the rules).

After Yu, Niao, Mao, the campers went into their language classes. They continued to work on their numbers from 1 - 10 while also practicing writing each character. While this was tricky for some in the beginning, everyone was able to write them quite well in the end. Some campers were so diligent that they continued to write all the way up to 99!!

Following our language class and snack (where we played 20 questions), the campers learned about the Chinese watercolor paintings and even had the opportunity to work on some of their own masterpieces.

Watercolor painting was followed by lunch. After lunch, the campers returned to the main building and learned about symbolism of the dragon in the Chinese culture. They then talked about things that may symbolize the same thing here in America. This gave us the opportunity to talk about things that might give mystical powers or be rare. This lead right into a conversation about the significance of jade carvings and pottery in China. The campers then had the opportunity to work on their own pieces of pottery. They seemed to love to get their hands messy!!!

After pottery was swimming. The campers really enjoy taking a dip in the pool!

When we were finished swimming, we returned back to the main building and had the opportunity to learn about and practice the Chinese Yo-Yo. While it may look easy, it takes some work to really master. However, it looks like several of our campers are already on their way! Who knows, they many be coming soon to a YouTube video near you!!!

Don't Forget! We plan to go to the Boston Children's Museum on Thursday to see the Children of Hangzhou exhibit. This exhibit is designed to engage children in learning about one of the oldest civilizations - - and now among the most modern - - in the world through some of its young people.

Children of Hangzhou is devoted to expanding knowledge, understanding and appreciation of contemporary China through life in Boston’s Sister City, Hangzhou. In distinctively Chinese settings, visitors will meet children with different interests and in different environments and learn what makes them tick. The exhibit will dispel stereotypes and “demystify” China.

We will also be staying for a special presentation about Chinese inventions. Camp will not be extended on this day. All of this will take place during the regular hours. Therefore, it is extremely important that you drop off your camper by 8:30am.

Thanks! Zia Jian!

Meet the Counselors (Part 2)

Alicia Michonski

Hello, my name is Alicia. I enjoy playing any kind of sport especially soccer and ice hockey. I love being outdoors and going hiking and fishing. I also enjoy painting and photography. I love cooking and baking but I especially like eating it once it's done.

 

Day 1

Greetings, families! Session 2 started off great. We decorated our lockers and then went right into our morning meeting. During the morning meeting, campers learned each other's names, did our morning stretches, played games such as "the Great Wind Blows..." and simply enjoyed each others company.

After the morning meeting, the counselors lead the campers in an exercise about China. Campers had to identify China on a map and then find a poster of China in the room. We then talked a little about the history of China before starting a lesson in Mandarin.

During the language lesson, campers learned about the 4 tones in Mandarin, were introduced to Chinese characters, learned basic greetings such as "Hello!" and "How are you?" and then learned how to count to 10.

This exercise was really easy for some of our campers. Therefore, during lunch, we began to identify different items in the room and on our body in Chinese such as fruit, head, mouth and nose.

After snack, the campers learned about Chinese lanterns and even had the opportunity to make their own lanterns. Once they were finished, we decorated the room. Please take a moment to look at their work tomorrow when you drop your camper off in the morning.

Following lunch, the campers learned about tangrams and made their own out of paper. The campers worked very hard constructing many items such as squares, triangles, cats, and dogs.

After the tangram exercise, campers had the opportunity to swim in our indoor pool.

After swimming, campers learned about the art of origami while making their own items out of paper.

Parents, please remember to pick-up your child's camp t-shirt tomorrow. Sorry for the delay. We also want to remind everyone that we will be traveling to the Boston Children's Museum on Thursday. Drop-off and pick-up will still take place at the same time. However, we ask that you please make sure you drop your child off by 8:30am on Thursday so we can leave soon afterwards for the city.

See you tomorrow!!!!

Meet the Counselors

Theresa Linn (Lin Li Sa)
Ni hao! My name is Theresa Lin (Lin Li Sa). I recently graduated from West Springfield High School and will be attending Wellesley College in the fall. I enjoy a variety of sports and leisurely activities such as swimming, track and field, tennis, hiking, and traveling to different parts of the world. In the past, I have held several leadership roles in dealing with young children and teenagers. I will surely bring my knowledge of the Chinese language and my enthusiasm to the camp and hope that each camper will have a wonderful, fun, and educational experience.