Camp Roundup: Week 1

I can't believe camp is already 1/3 of the way done! Crazy how time flies, eh?

This week was a great one. Aside from just playing games like the circle sit and human bingo, we got the kids out of their chairs and into Chicago. On Tuesday we took the kids to the Museum of Science and Industry to visit the Smart Home, which was cool. Because it was a school group, we qualified for an energy lab, which was a real treat. The kids learned how to separate hydrogen from water, and then used that hydrogen to fuel little cars with hydrogen fuel cells.

Later in the week we took them on a "Communication Walk" where they learned how to communicate without using words or sight. Some kids were blindfolded, others couldn't speak, but they had to remain attached at all times. It was crazy funny, and wicked cool to see them learn to communicate with one another without their usual strengths.

Thursday we made paper! We talked about the recycling process and the kids learned how paper is broken down to make new paper, and then they got to make their own. It was so neat!

Yesterday we went on a walking tour of the Pilsen neighborhood. Pilsen was built to house Lithuainian and Bohemian immigrants in the early part of the last century, but by the 1960s the area was mostly Hispanic. Now the neighborhood, while not the safest, is also revitalized and is much more "family friendly" than it used to be. The neighborhood embraces its culture and that is clearly evident through the murals that decorate the neighborhood. Hispanic leaders are depicted across the neighborhood on schools, garage doors, and even the CTA stop. Schools are decorated with glass mosaics showing leaders in human rights (Dolores Huerta), entertainment (Selena), and even politics (we saw signs supporting Sonia Sotomayor).

Everyone in the community has a hand in the murals. We were able to visit a community center that is home to adults with mental and physical disabilities and saw the murals they created for their building. We plan on creating a mural with the kids at the end of next week. The murals were gorgeous and help take back the community. The neighborhood is revitalized and I think Pilsen is really going to grow and become a model south side neighborhood in the coming years. Instead of just taking the hand they were given, many Pilsen residents have helped push the neighborhood forward and instead of accepting "old buildings" and "sub-standard schools" they've really pushed for reform and for good schools, and don't all kids--regardless of race--deserve a good school?

Camp this week was wonderful, and I can't wait to see what happens next week!