Continued from previous spread
Bearing in mind, the camp is located in Bulgaria, are you going to
include any activities to introduce the students to the local
culture?
Even though the camp is in Bulgaria, Camp
Golden Gate is an International American
summer camp; hence the focus will be on
American culture and language. However, just
by being in Bulgaria, many of the students will
be able to observe the many layers that make up
the Bulgarian Culture. It is an indirect
acquisition of the culture. Furthermore, Camp
Golden Gate will have one International Talent
Show night where the students will be able to
show their culture through art, music, dance,
etc.
Through this international stage,
Bulgarian students can show their fellow
campers a bit about their culture. We also will
have international cooking day, which will
focus on sharing cuisines from different parts
of the world.
I believe that nowadays it is of great importance to encourage
young people to be more tolerant, especially when students
from different countries and cultures get together. How do you
intend to teach your “guests” to embrace their differences and
learn from each other?
I believe that tolerance or embracing others’ differences is not a process of
teaching. It is a matter of acceptance that evolves through different variables.
Camp Golden Gate sets the tone of tolerance and diversity by fostering
friendship through a natural and not competitive setting that allows students to
know the person in a deeper and real way through dynamic and interactive
activities that are driven by passion and positive energy by the American
Teachers. In a sense, the American teachers, which have a lot of personal
experience with diversity and multiculturalism become the driven force to point
the students the benefits of being open-minded and learning from others.
Finally, where can teachers and
students find more information
about the camp?
They can find a very detailed information
about the structure of the camp on our
website – www.campgoldengate.com.
We also encourage everyone to contact
us and with any specific questions they
might actually have. Our friendly staff is
here to help and answer all the
questions .
At Camp Golden Gate students will get the opportunity to get
out of their comfort zone. Judging by my own experience, it
could be quite a challenge especially for shy young learners.
From personal experience, shy students thrive on the summer camps with
models like the one Camp Golden Gate offers because the core of the camp is
to encourage inclusion. Everyone is given the opportunity to participate. The
Team emphasizes through all the activities and courses to all campers that
expressing their own voice is welcome all the time, and that judging others is not
part our values. Also, through the Team Building activities, students learn
valuable lessons that make them realize that team input is fundamental to
overcome failure. What is important is the process not the outcome.
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