Summer Camp

El campamento de verano

Throughout our entire program, the Youth Development group visited and interacted with children in two communities. At each place, students and staff developed amazing bonds with the community members. Students spent a lot of time together playing basketball and learning some of their favorite games, dancing merengue and bachata and singing to popular children’s songs, and showing kindness to one another, despite some of the language barriers present. Play is a universal language and can serve as the foundation to showing empathy and care. 

To celebrate these moments and newfound friendships, students from each center gathered at the campsite to enjoy our final day together. It began with students walking down a red carpet, participating in an Olympic style game rotation, and, of course, with our good morning cheers. 

Throughout the day, students and children taught each other new games, played in the playground, and swam in the pool, which was a highlight for many of the young kids. The day continued to progress with a wonderful lunch and snacks shared with the help of a dancing robot in attendance! 

To close out the fun-filled day, everyone enjoyed ice cream and shared their final moments of love and appreciation. In moments like these it is important to reflect on how much we’ve grown through these experiences, and I thank the NGO team for sharing their spaces and hearts with us. <3