Suskyo or Tosky? Culture sharing at camp!

07/16/2014

Every summer we see Frost Valley draw cultures from every corner of the planet; from our international staff and campers, to our partnership programs, we celebrate and embrace the differences in those who come together each year for summer camp.

Last night the villages of Tokyo and Susky were hosted by a group of eager Counselors In-Training, looking to not only unite these two communities in a series of challenges, but to use these challenges as an opportunity to share their own cultures. From true or false questions about Japan and America, to counselors improv-rapping as they repeated words whispered into their ear in a language foreign to their own, it was clear that camp provides these unique opportunities to give children original ideas for fun that help them to learn about the world around them.

Our mission is one that can be understood in any language or culture. In the end, when traditional communication fails, there is always interpretive dance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ashley Loftus

Ashley is in her third year working at Frost Valley YMCA. Hailing from Co.Waterford in Ireland, Ashley is on an 18 month training visa, working as the Assistant Wawayanda Director in Summer and as a Program Instructor year round. Her background is in digital media with a degree in Digital Media and Communications from the University of Wolverhampton. Ashley found herself working for theater companies and after school programs for youth's and sought some new experiences here in the States that would fulfill her passion for working with young people and in the outdoors.