Kids Camp July 2008

The SCLC's goals include everything from environmental conservation to learning to community betterment, and the July summer camp found ways to combine all of these ideals. Volunteers Lauren Webber and Rachel Osborn organized a two-week camp during Costa Rica public school mid year vacation to offer an exciting and educational option for local school children.

Twenty-five students from the Escuela Chilamate spent each week day morning here during their mid year break, where we provided them with free and diverse activities each day. Highlights of the first week were a hike in the lush Selva Verde trails and a visit from local artisan Doña Emilce, who taught the children the entire process of making recycled paper. The second week was filled with excursions to the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS), where we identified plant and animal species, the nearby Serpentarium, and a roadside clean-up to pick up trash and recyclable items. The students competed in teams to collect the most trash, and helped strengthen the connection between SCLC and the Chilamate community.

The camp managed to combine educational activities with fun and games, and we are proud to say that the students had so much fun that they almost didn’t realize they were learning in the process!

Did you know? The Costa Rican school calendar goes from February to December- in order for the kids to enjoy Costa Rican dry season December-January- Costa Rica summer time.  Mid year break is two weeks in July.