What is "Mi Pueblo"
Mi Pueblo is a weeklong Latin American Culture Camp, providing fun and cultural awareness for children adopted from Latin America and their siblings. The Camp, sponsored by the parent support group, Concern for Children, is held every summer during the third week in June in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Information about the Camp is disseminated through a newsletter called La Prensa de Mi Pueblo. More current information is forthcoming or can be found on our NEWs page of at the CFC Yahoo Group.
Mi Pueblo, which means "My People," "My Village," "My Nation" in Spanish, is one of only a handful of similar camps for children of Latin American heritage. While most campers are from throughout Northeast Ohio, some have come from Columbus, Cincinnati and Athens, Ohio and the states of California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
The camp provides children, who range in age from 18 months to 14 years, with a positive and fun environment in which they may learn about the cultural heritage of their birth countries, and can gain pride in both their heritage and themselves. Classes in dance, music games, crafts, culture and Spanish language all focus upon the traditions of Latin American Countries.
In addition, campers are treated to special guests through- out the week. Past years have included presentations on the animals from Central and South America, Latin America art and citizens from a number of Latin American countries who talk about growing up in their native lands. Latin American bands and Dance Theater troupes have also entertain campers. Culminating the week’s activities is a Fiesta celebration on Friday nights. Campers, dressed in traditional costumes, present dances and songs they learned during the week. Each year Camp activities focus upon a theme. Recent themes have included "Latin America Through the 20th Century" and "The Nature of Latin America."
The classes at the Camp are taught by members of the Cleveland Latino community, giving campers positive role models who share their heritage. All other Camp operations are covered by more than 60 volunteers including parents of the campers anxious to learn about the culture of their children’s birth countries. Over twenty teen and young adult volunteers, many of who were adopted from Latin America also give support. The campers develop a special bond with the teens, seeing young adults who are "just like me." A special evening for the teen volunteers is held during the week of camp.
The sponsor of Mi Pueblo is Concern for Children, a nonprofit parents support group in Northeast Ohio that assists families to adopt from a number of countries in Latin America, and provides continuing support and education for families after the children arrive in the U.S.A.
Mi Pueblo Culture Camp Update 2011:
In a few months the 19th annual Mi Pueblo Camp begins (on June 20th).
The Theme for this year's camp is: "Explore Latin America" -- Exploring the regions of Latin America as we learn about the unique geographic, cultural, musical, dance, craft, and food features and traditions of each region; Mexico and Central America, the Caribbean, the Andean region, Amazonas and Brazil, and southern South America and Patagonia.
To get started we need to fill volunteer positions, especially the Planning Committee and administrative staff and to decide the curriculum and schedule of activities for the Camp.
The wonderful thing about Mi Pueblo is how amazing it is to see such a beneficial activity blossom forth seemingly from nothing each year for one week, drawing families from all over Ohio and the country who, in just 5-7 days, rekindle or enkindle friendships and immerse children, teens and adults in Latin American culture and an adoptee-family atmosphere.
We have been successful for 18 years organizing and experiencing a safe and beneficial camp---with a large number of loyal and reliable volunteers, including many teens and young adults!
Our planning meetings are open to all, and are usually held the 1st or 2nd Thursday of April, May and June at 7:30 p.m. at the Gruber home in Shaker Heights.
You can participate on the Planning Committee whether you live in the Cleveland area or not. There are lots of jobs to do, and the more who participate, the more the work can be spread around so no one person is over burdened. If you know of someone you might recruit, please let them know—and me, too.
If you can attend planning meetings to provide ideas – even if you can't do a lot of work in between meetings, your input is very welcome. Or if you cannot attend meetings (in person or by telephone), then there are tasks you can do and then simply report in before each meeting.
The Camp fees this year are: $190 per camper (Pre/K thru 8th graders) for the week; $150 per child if a parent volunteers at least 4 days of Camp; and $110 for Planning Committee children. $120 for a Volunteer in Training (9th grader). Day care is $50 for the week. These fees included a hot lunch and morning snack each day, a t-shirt, Recipe Book, take home gift for each child each day, any field trip, and the Fiesta for the whole family.
Registration materials will be mailed out soon (late March or early April).
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Planning Committee Meetings (Thursdays, at 7:30 p.m. at Gruber's House--2714 Leighton Rd., Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120): April 7, May 5, June 2.
Other Important Dates (locations are all at Forest Hill Church, Cleveland Heights, Ohio unless otherwise noted):
- June 18 - Saturday - Camp Set up 9 – 12 noon
- June 19 - Sunday - Camp Set up 12- 2 p.m.
- June 19 - Sunday evening - Volunteer Meeting - 6 p.m. (Embassy Suites Hotel, Beachwood)
- June 20 - Monday - Camp Starts - 9:30 a.m..
- June 22 - Wednesday - Teen Party - 3:30-8:30 p.m.
- June 24 - Friday - Fiesta - 7 – 9 p.m.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks. Gracias.
See you soon! Nos vemos!
Bill Gruber - GruberWL@aol.com
Tish Henry - Tishhenry@hotmail.com