{English Camp: Day One}

My alarm went off at 5:45 on Monday morning. I gingerly climbed down from the squeaky top bunk, groggily wondering how it was that my daughter had managed to claim the bottom. It wasn't the first time that week I was to feel that rather in-my-forties feeling. One by one we rolled out of bed. Fatigue was quickly washed away in the excitement and nerves characteristic of first day jitters, however, and we eagerly got ready for the day. Once down in the hostel's common room for breakfast, we each found a plush chair and grabbed a menu.

I hadn't yet learned to speak slowly and distinctly, so when our server asked for my order, my loud-and-eager American self requested black-tea and muesli. The word "black" must have been slurred beyond comprehension, for she brought me green tea. I inwardly shrank back in horror, but outwardly smiled my thanks. Maybe the tea was different here?

The muesli was served with yogurt, and I approached the counter to serve myself. I scooped the grains from a quaint clamp jar and looked around for the yogurt. I saw only a glass pitcher of cream, and asked the server where the yogurt was. She pointed to the pitcher. Ah! One pours the yogurt. That breakfast -- raisin-packed muesli and plain, pourable yogurt -- quickly became my favorite way to start the day. And when I later glanced at Bethie's mug of tea -- which was decidedly black -- I determined to speak more clearly next time.

Johnny arrived promptly at 7:15 in The White Van. We piled in and headed to the church, a jumble of nerves, curiosity, and enthusiasm. Our team was soon circled on the floor of the church sanctuary, where we gathered to review the day's schedule, answer last minute questions, and pray. Although camp was to start at 8:00, some students arrived earlier, based on their parents' work schedules. We had outdoor games set up for just such an occasion, and each day throughout the week a few of our students would join them as the rest of the staff finished last minute class preparations.

The rest of the campers were very prompt, and camp was in full swing by 8:00. As they arrived on that first day, the campers each chose a workshop to attend, and Brooke also met with each of the 17 students to determine their placement in the three English classes we would offer. The rest of the crew remained outdoors, leading a variety of circle games and yard activities that would keep everyone entertained throughout the week.

The camp schedule of events was so carefully planned out and so well thought through by the JV staff, that it was exciting to watch each activity unfold throughout the day, whether it was a morning English class, an afternoon song time, a late afternoon game or a special, themed activity. Our Glenwood team was responsible for teaching the English classes, leading workshops, choosing and explaining the afternoon games, and prepping a number of "circle games" to have on hand. Games such as Mad Cow. (Enter that rather in-my-forties feeling.)

I guided our English teachers through the curriculum as we prepared for camp, but once Drew, Michael, and Hailey were in their separate classrooms, they ran with it on their own. In addition to having a lead teacher, each class had an interpreter and both English and Slovene-speaking assistants. Brooke and I were like nervous mother hens once those doors closed behind them. Would they need our help? Would they be nervous? Did they have their bag of markers?!? Did they need the banana costume yet?!? We needn't have worried. Each teacher did an excellent job, and it was an absolute joy to watch both teachers and students grow throughout the week. (And yes, we even got to use the banana costume.)

PC: Urh Kolar

PC: Urh Kolar 

PC: Urh Kolar

PC: Urh Kolar

English class took up two blocks of the morning, and the rest of the day was filled with numerous opportunities to practice conversational English: we shared meals and snacks, played games, sang songs, practiced the camp dance, and learned new skills through various workshops. (I'll save those details for another post!)

Each day also had a special theme or event of some sort, and Monday's theme was "cowboy." We giggled as we were lead by Gwynne and Urh, who opened each day's activity with a mini skit. They soon had us donning the appropriate hats and bandanas to pull off the cowboy look, and we closed the day with cowboy games and line dancing.

PC: Urh Kolar 

PC: Urh Kolar

PC: Urh Kolar

PC: Urh Kolar

By 5:30, parents had arrived, and we said goodbye to those 17 middle schoolers who were very quickly working their way into our hearts.

After the students left, Johnny and I whipped up sloppy joe's for dinner in the church kitchen, and then the whole team gathered on the church patio to eat and talk over both the events of the day just spent and the events of the day to come. Of course it seemed only fitting to make a final ending of the day in downtown Celje.

So we headed directly to the ice cream cart, as one does.

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