It’s the 2nd day of English in the Wild Summer Camp and the students are learning and happy! After the pep rally in the morning, Ella told me that this was her favorite part of camp because it is so much fun and exciting. At lunch all the group of girls I was with also found the pep rallies great. One reason is that the teams cheer their own teams. This helps to develop a sense of pride for the team, a sense of belonging to a group. It also gives the shy students an opportunity to be active and cheer when otherwise they would feel intimidated and sit quietly by and watch. Another reason is that the rally helps to build confidence, confidence that one is capable of winning, confidence that one is part of a great team.
At lunch time Anne told me that she really liked making team flags. Every year each team is given three blank flags and some paint. Each team then needs to plan, design, and paint its own flags. The flags will be carried to pep rallies, game time, and other team activities. The flags will represent them as a group, as a unit, working together to accomplish whatever the goal may be. As each member of the team uses his/her talent to complete the flags, it creates a bond that will last a long time. It is always amazing what these kids come up with and how creative they are in making flags. Every year the flags are awe inspiring.
Pep rallies and team flags help to make this camp awesome. Without them it would just be another classroom situation with a teacher teaching and students listening. Not that regular classrooms are bad but, hey this is English in the Wild Summer Camp and camp is supposed to be a fun learning experience. Yea for Camp!
