Hello friends and family of La Semana! Camp is right around the corner and we are excited to see you. Read on for important pre-camp information.
Camp Location
Camp will take place July 24-28 at Base Camp located at 6202 Bloomington Rd, St Paul, MN 55111. Make sure you bring comfortable closed-toed shoes, warm-weather clothing, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Available Accommodation and Area Information
Please note, the hotel we are using is different than in past years. This year the Hampton Inn MOA and MSP will accommodate La Semana guests wishing to book a room. This hotel is seven minutes from Base Camp and has offered the following rate for the week of camp (July 24-28th): 2 Queen beds for $129/night.
When you call to book, (952) 854-7600, be sure to mention La Semana or LSC. All rooms not booked by July 17th will be released.
Coming from out of town? Read Camp Week: mini guide to Bloomington for restaurants and activities near the Hampton Inn hotel. Please note all dining and activity options offer different rates and attractions. PLAC and La Semana are not responsible for any gatherings or activities outside of official camp week activities.
Camp Specialty 2023
Our specialty country this year is Colombia and we are working hard to put together an amazing curriculum.
Monday Night Picnic
Monday evening at Base Camp all campers, volunteers, and close family or past campers / volunteers are invited to celebrate our 2023 reunion and the beginning of a great week! The schedule for the evening is as follows:
- 4:30 pm – 5:30pm: Camper check in, socialization
- 5:30pm – 6:30 pm: Welcome and 2023 flag ceremony
- 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm: Dinner
If you are planning to attend, be sure to fill out this important 1-minute Welcome Dinner Survey by Tuesday Evening (July 11) so we can plan accordingly.
Camp Schedule
More detailed schedules for each group will be posted soon, be sure to watch the lasamana.org website for more information.
- Mon, July 24 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM Check -in, Flag Ceremony, and Welcome Picnic
- Tues, July 25 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM Camp
- Wed July 26 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM Camp
- Thurs, July 27 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM Camp
- Fri, July 28 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Camp, Fiesta performance and celebration!
Chaperones – Be sure to arrive 15 minutes before camp “start time” each day.
It is important to note that if you are not a registered camper or volunteer, for the safety of our campers you cannot ‘hang out’ at camp. See the link later in this communication for a list of things to do near camp.
Camp Pickup
Camp pickup is at 3:30. When you arrive, locate your child’s group outside of Base Camp. Each group will have its own spot (numbered by group numbers). Campers will stay with their chaperones until they are checked out by a parent/guardian or approved pick-up person. Because of Base Camp requirements, all children must be picked up by 3:45.
If your child is leaving camp early for any reason, you must sign them out with their chaperone. If your child is going to be gone on any day, notify their group volunteer. On Friday, parents may sign their children out at 11:00 and participate in end-of-camp celebration activities with their children. Also note, if your child leaves Base Camp during the camp day, they will be unable to return unless physically signed back in with a parent (per our Code of Conduct).
Fiesta Friday
Friday of camp week we will celebrate the end of the best week of the year with some special curriculum in the morning and wrap up the week in the afternoon with a special dance performance for all La Semana parents, volunteers, and fiesta participants. Campers will showcase the traditional Latin American dances they have been learning throughout the week and we will get a special performance from our sister program, Corazon Latino.
Immediately following the Fiesta performance, plan to stick around for music, dance, food, games, T-shirt signing, and an ice cream truck!
Ayudantes
We are excited to see you back at camp this year and are eager to introduce some old favorites as well as some new teen curriculum, including but not limited to:
- Amiguitos: A one-on-one buddy pairing with a K-8 camper to check in with and keep up with throughout the week.
- Teen dance practice
- Cooking
- Team building activities
- Teen game sessions and tournaments
Currently, we are in the midst of planning a virtual required orientation for our Ayudantes at 7:00pm CT Sunday, June 23rd before camp. More details to follow soon. Mark your calendars!
Note that if you are not a registered attendee, you cannot hang out at camp. Thankfully, we are centrally located with many fun places to hang out with other parents.
Service Project: Bridges for Youth
This year we will be working once more with Bridges for Youth, a local organization with the below mission with two activities: Campers will be creating paracord survival bracelets throughout the week, as well as decorating bags for supplies and we will be holding a supply drive. The supply drive needs the following items:
- Toothbrushes
- Travel sized toothpaste
- Travel sized, alcohol-free mouthwash
- Floss
- Travel sized shampoo and conditioner for textured hair
- Travel sized body wash
- Travel sized lotion
- Small hair brushes and combs
- Travel sized styling products
- Bonnets and durags
Mission: The Bridge for Youth centers youth voice, justice, and equity in all we do, and empowers youth experiencing homelessness through safe shelter, basic needs, and healthy relationships.
Follow us on Social Media!
Looking for camp details as they’re released? Follow La Semana Culture Camp on Facebook and Ia_semana2023 instagram to follow along.
-The La Semana Planning Team.