This is what the kids at Campamento Estrella (Camp Star) in San Juan Cosala, Mexico had to say today about saving their world:
(Please click on first photo to enlarge all.)
Day one of Campamento Estrella (Camp Star) In San Juan Cosala, Jalisco, Mexico was a huge success. The point of the camp is to make each child feel like a star, and this year the counselors seemed to feel pretty happy as well. Art, poetry, dance, games, studying about the history of their town and how to improve it, kind treatment of animals and health and hygiene are all stressed this year. Friday will culminate in a performance and refreshments for parents and other family members. This is our third year for this camp. Thanks once again to Agustin for playing such a vital part as well as providing the garden area of Viva Mexico for us to use for the camp.
Click on first photo to view all and read caption.
I was too busy this morning trying to get whiskers and rubber backstraps installed on all the masks to take many photos. Since it was raining and since I arrived first, I got soaked while pushing my umbrella handle up to remove gallons of water from the dangerously sagging roof of the canopy. Then I had 30 slightly soggy masks (from the humidity of the rain) to deal with in addition to the last rehearsal of camp songs before the dress rehearsal for parents tonight. Everyone else was equally busy running through dances and songs as well as finishing up on the necklaces and bracelets and gift boxes they made yesterday.
The kids were rowdy from the rain and one little boy who just couldn’t stop raising trouble finally got sent home when he used a very adult word. (After countless warnings.) Lunch––hamburgers and French fries–– was a great success.
Finally, at two, the kids were gone, we cleaned up the tables, with help I packed up 5 huge boxes and countess bags with art materials and I divided the “spoils” for two pinatas tomorrow–one for bigger kids and one for smaller kids. Then home to rest up for three hours before going back again for the dress rehearsal. And, wouldn’t you know it. One of my front crowns fell out!! If you can imagine me with pearly whites surrounding one black little upside down cone shaped filed tooth in the middle front of my smile–well, you’ll could see how well my day is coming along.
Trying to stick it back with dental adhesive, I chipped the back of the crown, which means a nice $450 bill. Only money, no one died, it might still stick and save me the embarrassment of looking like my hillbilly background..All’s, well, okay with the world if not exactly right.
Parents and family were invited to the dress rehearsal. The kids singing “La Llorena” along with Agustin nearly brought the house down! The girls were beautiful, the boys only slightly less rowdy than usual. Somehow, we got through the almost impossible task of herding 30 excited primadonnas through their acts. The girls bellydancing class that was an outgrowth of last year’s camp performed wonderfully and to loud applause.
(Click on first photo and then arrows to enlarge all photos.)
Then we served cookies and punch, everyone left, and because I wasn’t ready to go home, I wandered into Viva Mexico, the restaurant our camp site is the garden part of. Jere and DePaul and Rita were there, so I joined them. My tooth fell out again, so I ate soup, and after most of the other customers, save for four tables, had departed, Agustin serenaded us all. So sweet, and a woman tourist at an adjacent table was heard to remark, “I could live in this town. Imagine just living here and walking down that street to this restaurant.” We all agree, and that’s why we do.
Of course all ideallic times eventually end, and this is what I returned to. The last existing dog bed in the house, Morrie’s own, shredded beyond retrieval. Good Night!
Winded
When day five of camp has ended,
we find ourselves completely winded.
Yet in three hours we have to go
back to rehearse our ending show.
Then once more on Saturday
when, finally, we end the fray.
I’ll admit I’m an easy touch,
but still, today, I’ve had too much.
Although I love two kids or three,
thirty are too much for me.
But, it’s also true, I fear,
we’ll do it all again next year.
The Daily Post prompt today was Wind.
Today was wild, with rain that caused huge waterfalls off the roof of the tent in the courtyard and caused squeals of joy from the kids, all huddled in the middle. First a visit by a dental assistant who talked about dental hygiene. I had found little kits in the states with a toothbrush, toothpaste and toothbrush holder as a gift for each child. Lots of noise later as they made bracelets and earrings and then little decorated gift boxes in case they wanted to give them to grandmas or mothers. Looked like most planned to keep them themselves. More dance, selection of whiskers for the dog and cat masks, a delicious lunch where, surprisingly, all of the kids at my table ate their vegetables first!!! Agustin thought he’d over extended himself when he bought two kilos (four pounds) of tortillas, but they all vanished. Never underestimate the capacity for tortillas of any local!
Once the kids went home, I asked the Mexican counselors to stay to practice a poem I’d written for the parents. We’re doing a show for them tomorrow, then another show on Saturday for the crowd at Agustin’s restaurant. The other counselors drifted over to sit around the table with us, Agustin opened a few bottles of wine, and we had a great time trading knowledge of local slang and laughing over Audrey’s hilarious retorts. I’d repeat them, but you had to be there. I decided to have a party for all of the counselors, Agustin and the kitchen staff who have been feeding us. Thursday’s the day and the menu is Mexican! You’ll probably be invited along as well.
Here are my very few photos from today: Click on them to enlarge and read the captions.
Agustin came strolling in in the afternoon and gave the kids a little surprise. They did a few rousing rounds of Celita Lindo, which they all knew by heart, and then he taught them “La Llorona” (The Weeping Woman) which is my favorite Mexican song, even though I still mainly mouth the lyrics. The story is so touching. Sure you’ll find the music on YouTube and the story in Wikipedia and Google. A sad legend that every person in Mexico knows and that mothers use to keep their children inside at night. Here are the photos of that and other activities today:
Once again, click on first photo and then on the right side of each photo that follows to see photos full size with captions.
The camp went wonderfully today. The kids belted out the two camp songs they were a bit shy about yesterday, their masks turned into nearly completed masterpieces, our wonderful camp counselors, one of whom I discovered today is a mere sophomore in high school, were helpful and dedicated and came up with some good ideas of their own. The dance numbers are coming together and I think you’ll see by the photos below that the kids are having a wonderful time. We even had a few strollers-by, attracted by the music and laughter, come in and force money on us to help with next year’s camp. One blogger also requested that I tell where donations may be made and although my intention is not to treat my blog as a fundraiser, the friend who is handling the fundraising does have a paypal account established. Donations from the U.S. may be made via Paypal to jeredepaul@yahoo.com It is important that you send them in the friend or family category so we don’t have to pay a fee to Paypal.
If you click on the first photo and then on the right hand side of each photo that comes up, you can see all of these full-sized and read the captions.
Do they look like they are having fun? Talks on animals and visits by abused dogs that wound up with a happy ending, finding out how to care for their pets, singing songs, learning how to “twist and shout” and dance to “What’s New Pussycat,” being silly, making masks, eating burritos. All-in-all a happy and full day. Now for day two!
(Click on first photo to see enlarged gallery of photos.)
Their performance that celebrates the end of camp will be at Viva Mexico at 3 o’clock, Saturday, July 30.Please call 387 761-1058 for dinner reservations if you wish to attend that performance. A hat will be passed to help fund next year’s camp, at which time we hope to include a second week of camp in El Chante.
Every Child’s a Child of All
Though some of them are ill-begotten,
our childhoods cannot be forgotten.
Filled with love or merely fuss,
still, they are what started us.
Those in their good fortune who
got to the front of childhood’s queue
happy and content and loving
without undue stress or shoving
need to thank each lucky star
that they’ve turned into who they are.
For there are children born in stress––
to poverty or loneliness.
They live next door in every land,
unguided by parental hand.
Born carelessly into this world,
inside of each, a self lies curled
needing care to help it grow
from shadows into sunlight’s glow.
These children belong to us all
so if you hear them, heed their call.
There are so many different ways
to parent them–with smiles or praise.
Share what gifts you have to share.
Each child is valuable and rare,
although, it’s true, they may not know it,
help them find a way to show it.
Teach them, praise them, love them, show
each child you meet the way to go.
For, in places tame or wild,
It takes a village to raise a child.
This year Campamento Estrella will again be held on July 25-30 for 30 children (age 9-12) from San Juan Cosala, the village where I live. (For those of you unversed in Spanish, “Campamento Estrella” means “Camp Star,” for it is our belief that every child is a star.) The photos shown above are from last year’s camp, which was a smash hit. This year we will be stessing kind treatment of animals, town history, serving the pueblo and personal hygiene and ethics. These themes will be dealt with through the activities listed above as well as interaction with town elders and young adults from the pueblo who can serve as excellent role models to the children.
We are currently seeking donations to cover the cost of art supplies, food, equipment rental, camp T-shirts and the salaries of the young Mexican camp counselors. We greatly appreciate donations in any amount.
Donations may be made via Paypal to jeredepaul@yahoo.com
If you live in the Ajijic area, donations may be made at Diane Pearl’s, Viva Mexico Restaurant in San Juan Cosala or by contacting Judy Dykstra-Brown at jubob2@hotmail.com (387 761-0281), Audrey Zikmund at az62343@gmail.com (766 106-0821) or Jere Fyvolent at jeredepaul@yahoo.com. (387-761- 0813.)
The camp will culminate with a dance performance by camp participants as well as performances by the San Juan Children’s Orchestra and Chorus and the Ajijic Ukulele group at 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, July 30 at Viva Mexico. Please call 387 761-1058 for table reservations if you wish to attend that performance. They will be serving from their regular menu. Admission to the show is free, but any donations to help fund next year’s camp will be gratefully accepted. Next year we hope to include a second week of camp in El Chante. Why not set up a camp of your own. There are children waiting to become stars everywhere on earth!!!
MUSIC * KIND TREATMENT OF ANIMALS * PERSONAL HYGIENE AND ETHICS
ART * TOWN HISTORY AND SERVING THE PUEBLO * DANCE * MASK-MAKING
This year Campamento Estrella will again be held on July 25-30 for 30 children (age 9-12) from San Juan Cosala. The photos shown above are from last year’s camp, which was a smash hit.
We are currently seeking donations to cover the cost of art supplies, food, camp T-shirts and the salaries of the young Mexican camp counselors. 600 pesos ($40 U.S.) will send one child to camp, but we greatly appreciate donations in any amount.
Donations may be made at Diane Pearl’s, Viva Mexico Restaurant in San Juan Cosala or by contacting Judy Dykstra-Brown at jubob2@hotmail.com (387 761-0281), Audrey Zikmund at az62343@gmail.com (766 106-0821) or Jere Fyvolent at jeredepaul@yahoo.com. (387-761- 0813.) Donations may also be made via Paypal to jeredepaul@yahoo.com
The camp will culminate with a dance performance by camp participants as well as performances by the San Juan Children’s Orchestra and Chorus and the Ajijic Ukulele group at 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, July 30 at Viva Mexico. Please call 387 761-1058 for table reservations if you wish to attend that performance. They will be serving from their regular menu. Admission to the show is free, but any donations to help fund next year’s camp will be gratefully accepted. Next year we hope to include a second week of camp in El Chante.
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 