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2005 Summer Camp Photos
Arabic Language Instruction
| Exposure to Arabic is a primary
focus of the Camp. During daily Arabic instruction with
Fadwa Kaskash, children spent time speaking, singing, reading,
listening and writing Arabic in a fun and engaging way.
Throughout the day they are encouraged to use Arabic vocabulary
and phrases related to their various activities. |
Nature Study
| As an introduction to the
Silk Route, the campers learned all about silkworms and
how silk is made, as well as how different goods, ideas
and culture were traded along the historical route. They
also spent time outdoors with teachers Linda Hanna and Gordon
Witty, exploring the lush landscape of the Arboretum and
learning about its woodlands and wetlands. Before the start
of camp they worked with Linda to plant the camp's community
garden of vegetables, flowers and herbs. |
Art & Architecture
As part of learning about
the Arab region's historical role as the crossroads of
trade between East and West, campers created their own
place of trading -- a traditional souk. Working with art
teacher Daniel Dalseth, they set up the frame of the ten
stalls representative of various trades and created their
own storefronts out of cardboard. With artist Rachel Bliss,
they made a variety of crafts and jewelry for display
and sale in their souk stalls. |
Music & Dance
During a music appreciation
of recorded music and with Joseph Tayoun on percussion
and Adeeb Refela on violin/oud, campers sampled
a variety of music across cultures along the Silk Route.
They learned to play some basic beats on the tabla,
and arranged a rap variation of the Arabic Alphabet song
with a special dance. They also learned a folklore dance,
the debkeh, with dance instructor Michele Tayoun. |
Storytelling & Drama
In learning about the rich
Arabic folkloric and cultural traditions, the campers
explored stories about the Silk Route and the marketplace
-- in particular, the story of Ahmed's Secret. They
worked with teacher Nadia Barcaly to write their own short
skits of scenes in the marketplace which became part of
a play they presented at the end of camp. |
Arab Souk Festival
A highlight of the second
week of camp was a special event, a Souk Festival put
on by all camp participants and open to the public. With
the souk stalls set up, filled with a variety of goods
on display or for sale by the campers, and over a hundred
people coming through, the Festival had the hustle and
bustle of a typical souk. It was a fun afternoon with
art and music demonstrations in calligraphy, henna and
drumming, with sweets, snacks, books and arts & crafts
for sale. This was followed by an Arabic Classical Music
Concert in the Arboretum by Joseph Tayoun Ensemble. |
Penn Charter Exchange
| The children visited nearby
William Penn Charter School Day Camp on two mornings and
had fun getting to know other kids and playing games and
sports. They also hosted the Penn Charter campers one morning
at the Arboretum and shared in nature activities and learning
Arabic calligraphy. |
Video-Making for Counselors
| A new camp program was piloted
this summer incorporating video instruction as an additional
activity for counselors, beside their roles mentoring the
campers and assisting the lead teachers. Dahna Abourahme,
a filmmaker/media educator, worked with the eleven counselors
in groups to produce two six-minute videos exploring aspects
of their culture and identity. |
End-of-Camp Performance and Exhibit
| A delicious potluck dinner
prepared by the campers' families was enjoyed by all the
children, counselors, teachers, and Arboretum staff at the
end of camp. A colorful exhibit of the campers' artwork
filled the lower gallery of the Arboretum's visitor center,
while the campers and counselors presented their performance
of songs, dance and skits staged around the souk. |
Fun
| Some
fun and playful times at camp. . . |
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