It all started on Friday at 11:00 a.m. when the fourth graders got to eat their lunch with the Upper School students in the cafeteria.  The Upper School was kind enough to accomodate us so we could then board the bus for our weekend at Concordia Language Camp.  Our students were great on the bus even without any electronic devices.  They played the "ABC" game out the bus window, the hand-clapping game of Concentration, Twenty Questions, and even had a scavenger hunt with prizes!  It reminded me of our family car trips before the invention of hand-held electronics.  We did eventually put in French/Spanish movies to watch, but all in the spirit of getting ready to be immersed in the language.

Upon arrival at the French Camp (which I had the privilege of attending), we were able to unload the bus and then enjoy the warmth of the sunshine while being introduced to two games often played by French children--all explained in the French Language.  This gave us a chance to get the wiggles out after our long bus ride.  Following this was our check-in process which really made you feel as if you had arrived in another country:  Each child had to show their passport and get it stamped, exchange their money for euros, choose a French name and make a name plate to go with it, and turn in their contraband (anything written in English).

Next was the flurry and excitement of meeting the counselor assigned to each cabin and discovering who else was in the cabin with you.  Then off to the cabins the children scurried to get settled in their new surroundings.  Soon the dinner bell rang and all were gathered in the dining hall where they ate in small groups referred to there after as "families."  Although the cabins were made up mainly of students from Mounds Park Academy, the families purposefully only had one or two children from any one school in each family.  After dinner, there was a group sing-a-long and then off to bed for the tired children and their chaperones.

Saturday dawned bright and sunny and the morning began at about 7:30 a.m.  The day consisted of activities from different French-speaking countries, large group times where we learned line dances and songs, meals from a variety of countries, and even a bit of free time. Three of the Mounds Park Academy students were rewarded for speaking the most French while two of our Spanish students received the same award at Spanish Camp.  A reward to be proud of and not easy to earn.

Saturday afternoon, I walked over to the Spanish camp to see how the kids were adjusting there and, as expected, things were going well and the Spanish was flowing.  This entire weekend from pick up to drop off was a wonderful, safe experience for all of the fourth graders. I couldn't have been prouder of their behavior and their mastery of the language.  Thank you for sharing your children with us for the weekend, and thanks to Martha Castellanos, Joel Swanson and Kathleen Sheridan who gave up their entire weekend to offer this wonderful experience to the chidlren.

I felt the entire weekend was a perfect example of all that Mounds Park Academy stands for; the respectful behavior, the willingness to try something new, the time our teachers are willing to devote to children, and even the awards which show how well our students are doing in their world language.  Congratualtions Fourth Graders!

Nansee Greeley

Lower School Director