Tag: camp

Scarlett at Camp

December 9, 2014 / Amanda

Scarlett had a great time at first grade camp! She went zip-lining, rock-climbing, held a falcon, made toothpaste, had a disco party and made a coco powder drink. She explained that the toothpaste had lots of sugar in it. I’m not sure if this was a translation issue or an understanding issue. Her favorite part was the zip line and she quite triumphantly exclaimed how the child that is a class behavioral problem DID NOT go because HE was afraid. Her least favorite part was when the kids were calling dibbs on the top-bunks. She didn’t think this was fair since she had no idea what they were saying and therefore was left with a bottom bunk. A bit odd though was that the bunk rooms (eight kids in a room) were coed. She said she stayed plenty warm as they were inside doing many of the workshops. I debated whether to send her with her fleece and rain jacket (which wouldn’t be as warm) or send her with her winter jacket which is not waterproof. I notice though she is without a hat or gloves in all of the pictures and yet she is snuggled up with her teacher in fourth picture below wearing her teacher’s gloves because she was cold.

But she had a blast and she was exhausted when she came home!

First Grade Camp

December 4, 2014 / Amanda

Scarlett is off on her first overnight camp experience! I couldn’t believe how emotional I felt about it as I dropped her off this morning. It’s only for a night. Scarlett has been nervous about it but I also knew she was excited as she’s been asking when it is for at least a month. I was nervous dropping her off that she would cling to me and I’d have to pry her away. But much to my surprise she was excited and happy and not the least bit clingy. It was so nice. It put me at ease. It was also nice that many, many other parents were hanging around to see their children off and take pictures. I even had a brief, broken conversation with another mom on how she was weepy her child was going away on their first overnight. That put me even more at ease.

The school is taking all the first & second graders to the camp. It looks to be the equivalent of our grade school camps just much younger. There will be candle making, cheese making, hiking, star gazing, a zip-line, a climbing wall, recycling workshop and a falcon exhibit. I am eager to hear how it all goes. We packed her bag together yesterday, labelled all her clothes and hopefully it all comes back. This morning, I was told by Scarlett that needed to make a list of all the things she might do and she will check all the boxes of everything she did do when she returns. Cute.

About a month ago, the school held a parent meeting to show off pictures of the camp, explain the activities, answer questions, alleviate fears and go over the packing list. I attended. However, as to be expected the entire meeting was in Spanish. The woman next to me tried to translate here and there. I was glad once I figured out that this same information would be sent in a letter later that week. Geez, probably should have just waited for the letter than attending the meeting. I can then at least translate and have a better understanding. The biggest difference between this field-trip here in Spain and one in the U.S. is that there are no parent volunteers or chaperons. No parents were even asked to volunteer (ok, at least as I far as I understood). I didn’t see a single non-school employee get on the buses with the kids.

Summer Days

September 1, 2014 / Amanda

The weather here this summer has been great. And since coming back from our road trip we’ve been very busy packing but we’ve had some time to get outside and enjoy the pool, the beach and friends!