The Bellefonte Area School District hosted multiple summer academic camps during the month of June, and all were free to BASD students! One of these camps was the World Language camp in which the students explored six different languages! The camp was four days long and students participated in many engaging activities with peers from throughout the district. BASD staff and secondary level students all volunteered their time to help make this camp a success!
This year’s World Language Camp was offered to BASD students entering first through sixth grade. Each day, students explored six languages: Chinese, French, German, Greek, Portuguese, and Spanish. Students completed crafts, engaged in activities with peers, and tried cultural foods and beverages. Some of the activities included language BINGO, listening to books read in different languages, movement activities, and more.
Brittany LeCouvre, Gifted Teacher at the secondary level at BASD and mother of a student going into second grade, had this to share about World Language Camp, “it’s just amazing that Bellefonte School District can provide this opportunity for District families. The kids are exposed to 6 languages over 4 days : Spanish, French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, and Greek. The kids are gaining respect and understanding for other countries and cultures - which ultimately provides the opportunity to become cultural empaths…and overall good humans and responsible global citizens.” Her daughter, Eloise, told us her favorite part, “... trying different foods and candies from around the world and being able to dance in the Spanish room! They made me excited to learn about the different languages!”
Overall, the camp has been a wonderful experience for the students of the district. The staff and student volunteers are immensely important to its success. Both parents, students, and staff alike are looking forward to it again next summer!
Written by Carla Cipro.