| Hello friends and family of La Semana! We are so excited as camp is just days away. Read on for important information you’ll need to know for camp and be sure to watch social media (Facebook and Instagram (Ia_semana2023)) for reminders leading up to camp! Camp Location Camp this year is from July 24-28 at Base Camp located at 6202 Bloomington Rd, St Paul, MN 55111. You need to bring comfortable closed-toed shoes, a water bottle, and warm-weather clothing, sunscreen, and bug spray. The high temperature for the week right now is looking like it may be in the 90’s! Available Accommodation: DEADLINE TO BOOK IS JULY 20 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 20th will be released. Coming from out of town? Read the 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 putting together an amazing curriculum. On Tuesday afternoon, campers will be participating in a mini Ciclovía. Ciclovía, which closes major roads to car traffic to allow bicyclists, runners, and skaters to use the streets every Sunday, began in Bogotá in 1974 and has since spread all around the world. (We have our own version of Ciclovía, Open Streets, right here in Minneapolis!) Campers are invited to bring their bikes, scooters, skates (and helmets) to camp on Tuesday and will be able to experience a typical Colombian Ciclovía including music, special snacks and drinks, arts and crafts, and exercise! *If you’re not local, don’t worry about bringing a bike-if you are local and can bring more than one, we appreciate it! Due to this activity, parking at Base Camp in front of the team building center will be limited. Look for signs for alternative parking upon arrival. 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: PLAC Sponsored dinner. 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. If you were not able to come to camp this year, this is a great time to visit! 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. Fiesta will start at 1:00 pm, if you are not a camper or volunteer, please do not arrive before then. Immediately following the Fiesta performance, plan to stick around for music, dance, food, games, T-shirt signing, and an ice cream truck! *Parents, bring sharpies for your camper for T-shirt signing if you are able, so we can ensure we have plenty, and please write your name on it.* Camp Schedule More detailed schedules for each group will be available upon check-in. Monday, July 24 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM Check -in, Flag Ceremony, and Welcome Picnic Tuesday, July 25 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM Camp Wednesday, July 26 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM Camp Thursday, July 27 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM Camp Friday, 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. Lunch will be provided for campers and volunteers Tuesday through Friday. This will be free of charge, however, we will accept cash donations of any amount throughout the week. 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). 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, July 23rd before camp. Please mark your calendars, and watch your inbox for a Zoom invite! For the safety of all campers, 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. A supply drive including the following items: Toothbrushes Travel size toothpaste Travel size, alcohol-free mouthwash Floss Travel size shampoo and conditioner for textured hair Travel size body wash Travel size lotion Small hair brushes and combs T ravel 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 Parent Education Wednesday Afternoon: Kelly Tronstad Join us for a parent education and support session at La Semana facilitated by Kelly Tronstad, M.Ed. and licensed parent educator. Kelly works as a Family Support Coach for Children’s Home/Lutheran Social Service. This session’s topic is Connection and control: Balancing the need for both in ourselves and our children. We hope to see you there! 2:00-3:00pm @ Base Camp Team Building Center Wednesday Evening: Aa Tiko’ We are very excited for our next guest. Join us for a presentation and discussion from Aa Tiko’, Guatemalan adoptee and podcaster from the highly recommended All Relative: Defining Diego podcast.His story includes details of his journey navigating adoption, roots, and family. If you are able, we encourage you to listen to find out more about Aa Tiko’s incredible story, available on most podcast services. 4:30-5:30 @ Hampton Inn Hotel and Suites MOA & MSP Thursday Afternoon: Parent Panel: Los Alumnos Join us Thursday afternoon for the Parent Panel: Los Alumnos. This panel will be an amazing opportunity to connect with the Alumni of La Semana, hear about their journey, learn more about the panel process, ask your questions, and learn what camp has meant to them over the years. 2:00pm-3:00pm @ Base Camp Team Building Center Follow us on Social Media! Looking for camp details and reminders as they’re released? Follow La Semana Culture Camp on Facebook and Ia_semana2023 instagram to follow along. |
