Aug 5th, 2008
First, I'd really like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to go to France again and have an important role in shaping the summer program at the college Cevenol. Martine already told you the projects we completed but I'll give you more details regarding the major ones:
Projects Completed: We redid the entire basketball courts -we repainted the lines, -sanded and then painted two coats of an evergreen color on the poles, -dug around the base of the pole so gravel could be placed there. -around the cafeteria, we sanded and varnished all of the windows and doors -we also enlarged the parking lot. -we grabbed shovels and pick axes and dug to make the ground even with the pavement. -the excess dirt was then wheel barrowed off to the sides of the road -grass-seed will be planted there. They look amazing! If I didn't know any better I would have assumed they were professionally done. Their shine really brightens up the campus. Everyone had a really positive attitude when we were working. We had fun, we worked together, and we were proud of the results. The campus looks beautiful.
Activities: We went to the markets, -the vite grene, -the plague. -played sports with the sports campers, -went to a dance with the sports campers -saw a talent show put on by the girls in the dance camp. -spent time in town -enjoyed frequent meals and desserts at the creperie. -went to see the gallery opening at the Maison de Roche -saw the new Harry Potter movie (in French). -played tennis -went running through town and on the trails in the woods. -On Bastille night we saw the fireworks over the river and spent time dancing in the square. -saw a movie in the town square. -went to Le Puy -we spent the day on a hike to and from Lisequx. -went horseback riding. -The only thing we did not have time to do was make crepes, and that activity seemed appealing to everyone, so that would be a good idea for next summer.
Refugees: We worked a lot with Karo, Salmon, and two younger boys. Also, we have the stories of two of the refugee families. It was a touching and meaningful experience. A group of us went to speak with them and interviewed them about their lives. At first they were hesitant about opening up to us, but as we spoke, the pages of our journals filled up with details from their experiences.
French classes were great. Madame Solange was very sweet and helpful. We all improved orally just by speaking with her. One day she taught us a lot about Le Puy (because we were going there the next day) and it was an extremely interesting lesson. I had a greater appreciation for everything that I saw. Finally, the trip to Geneva was a hit! I have never been there and I found myself loving every moment I spent in the city. Kirk took us out to a fabulous dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant. We took a boat ride on the lake and saw the big fountain. We saw the Palais Wilson and walked to a different part of the city to see the United Nations building, the Adriana museum (which specialized in porcelain), and the Red Cross Museum, which was absolutely amazing.
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Over the years many of our camp visitors and camp directors have taken photos of their stay.
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