12/07 - Shattering stereotypes (D8)

After almost a week of getting to know each other, we decided that the kids were finally ready to dive into the camp/CISV themes with a village staple simply called the "stereotype game." For this activity, we divided the group into delegations to share their knowledge and ideas about the other countries and cultures represented in our Village.

Of course, most of their ideas were based on preconceptions gained from before camp, from the media, school, or friends and family. Some of these were were positive (even flattering), some were negative (maybe even hurtful or offensive), but very few of them were entirely accurate. We next had them share what they felt about these ideas, and shed a little more light on the truth (if any) behind these statements.

We then talked to the kids about stereotypes and their effects. It was a funny and at times very emotional exercise, through which we tried to make them understand that today's stereotypes (both positive and negative) are a product of the past, and that tomorrow's assumptions and labels are fully up to them to decide as early as TODAY.

We hope that by discovering the differences that make each person and culture unique, it becomes much easier to see and appreciate the strings that bind us all. Nothing encapsulates what we work for more than the CISV Song, which we all sing to both begin and end each day at camp. We'll get there someday...PEACE BY PIECE. ;-)

08/07 - Football fever! (D4)

Today was another day full of getting-to-know-you activities, but without a doubt, the highlight of the day was when we all gathered to watch the FIFA World Cup semifinal match between Germany and Brazil. The Staff prepared a TV and music in the activity hall, and all the kids, leaders and JCs got ready by getting dressed to support their favored football teams. Our Village has representation coming from Algeria, France, Italy, USA and Mexico, but for sure, the spotlight was on our German and Brazilian delegations this night.

It was a small screen for 72 people, but that didn't really matter

We started the "activity" with the national anthems of the 2 delegations, who sang with their own football teams on TV. It was a touching display of national pride, as everyone else stayed silent with respect to the German and Brazilian teams.

The German national anthem

The Brazilian response (with French fans)

As the game started, the excitement reached an impressive level, with fans of both teams cheering intensely for their favorite players. Even the Staff and Leaders couldn't help but side with either the Germans (Jaime and Hugo) or the Brazilians (Gus and pretty much everyone else!).

The Brazilian supporters

The German superfans

By now, we all know that the game ended with an absolutely amazing 7-1 win for the Germans, but everyone was thoroughly glued to the screen throughout the entire game. And in a true display of sportsmanship and maturity, there was no taunting or jeering to be heard from either side - everyone was content to just enjoy a truly great football match. As Nina, our German leader said, "Whether the game goes to Germany or Brazil, our camp still wins!"

Everyone was completely focused on the game

Of course, we know that football isn't everyone's cup of tea, so away from the noise and chaos of the activity halls, some kids and leaders chose to have some quiet time in the lullabies room, instead. In any case, we pushed bedtime back a couple of hours because it was a late game, but then also allowed the kids to sleep in a little longer in the morning just to make sure that everyone was still able to get a full night's rest for the next day's activities.

Although I'm pretty sure that our 5 Germans slept just a little more peacefully than anyone else that night. ;-)

Nille took good care of the kids who were not that interested in football

All the nations gathered free!

We will take this time now to introduce to you all the delegations participating in our Village. Every delegate, leader and JC is an important piece of our Peace puzzle. :-)

GERMANY

Malte, Jaron, Nina (L), Nele and Lynn

BRAZIL

Valentina, Gabrielle, Biba (L), Antonio and Francisco

ALGERIA

Malik, Melissa, Manel (L), Amin and Rym

FRANCE

Orianne, Marc, Elodie (L), Edouard and Eloise

 HUNGARY

Zsombi, Peti, Anita (L), Sara and Anna

 NORWAY

Isabel, Erik, Elisabeth (L), Erlend and Ada

 VIETNAM

Bun, Minh, Quang (L), Nam and Chinh

USA

Andrew, Marina, Emily (L), Grace and Christian

ITALY

Luigi, Matilde, Ilaria (L), Fabio and Miranda

PHILIPPINES

Enzo, Luis, Brenda (L), JM and Mowhnt

DENMARK

Sasha, Nille (L), Victor and Mikkel

THAILAND

Punda, Te, Pennee (L), JJ and Teetus

JCs

Charlie (Mexico), Hugo (France), Tawfiq (Jordan), Quel (Brazil), Ellie (USA) and Estelle (France)

07/07 - The kids arrive! (D3)

At last, it's time to officially welcome all the delegates to our camp! It was a nervous wait for our Leaders and Staff, as the kids were dropped off at the campsite by their host families one by one, with Vietnam becoming the first complete delegation. They were quickly led by their leaders for a little tour around the campsite, to explain the different areas that will be used during the Village.

One by one, each delegation arrives complete

After we got everyone settled into their bedrooms (we had to carry all the suitcases up all those stairs!), we headed back down to the dining hall for our very first activity - making our name tags. Hopefully, though, we wouldn't be needing these after a few days, as everyone eventually gets to know each other better.

First activity: making their name tags

After lunch, the JCs invited all the kids outside to play some running games under the sun. It's always surprising how quickly the kids are able to play and get along with each other despite some language difficulties. It seems like some languages (like football) are really universal.

A little fun under the sun after lunch

 Later in the day, the Staff organized even more light activities to help the kids loosen up and get into the camp spirit. Even though we've only been together for a few hours, we can already tell that all the kids are very open and well-behaved. (although it's sometimes boring without a few naughty kids to deal with!)

Playing some games to break the ice

Over dinner, we presented a little birthday suprise for Tawfiq, our Jordanian JC, with a cake and songs from all 13 other countries represented at our camp. According to him, he "felt like a king" with every delegation coming up to greet him one by one. For sure, this will not be the only birthday we will be celebrating this month.

A birthday surprise for our JC from Jordan!

Our night activities included having everyone introduce themselves in front of the entire group, before the Staff shared with the kids all the camp rules (we made sure that these rules are there to make sure that EVERYONE has a great time at our Village). Then we let all the kids finish creating their own placemats, which we will be using at every meal time over the next month.

Finally, we ended the day with our very first lullabies session. Even though the room was a little small, everyone was still able to sing and clap their hands to the music. And apparently, the lullabies room may be a little too comfortable, as we actually had a few kids (and a Leader) doze off. :-) All in all, it was an excellent first day, and we hope that the enthusiasm only goes even higher from here.

06/07 - Preparing to welcome the kids (D2)

Another "boring" day (because the kids are still at their host families!). All the adults spent this day having discussions about the camp rules, setting up the different areas of the campsite, organizing the bedroom assignments, finishing all the signs and posters, and talking about all the kids in each delegations. It was very nice to start working with each other, and everything went very well. We're very lucky to have such a fun and awesome adult group - we will surely have a great summer together!

Sometimes, you just have to jump and say KIITOS to life (and good food)!

We have the official CISV International flag used to represent the organization at UNESCO...but no CISV France flag!

Putting up all the countries' flags in the Activity Hall...including this GIANT flag from Norway!

The temporary Leaders' meeting room - no kids allowed!

Really awesome lullaby room - it will feel like sleeping on clouds!

A little welcome area at the entrance to our main building before going up all the stairs

Here are the final room assignments - we really hope everyone gets along well!

05/07 - Homestay 1 and Leaders' Preparation Weekend (D1)

This is it: the first official day of "Peace by Peace" Village!!! The day started with some minor problems with regard to the host families picking up the delegations from the airport, but all was eventually settled and the kids were finally able to go home with their host families and have a good rest.

Here's a video made by the parents of the Danish delegation! :-)

The Leaders and JCs, on the other hand, reached the campsite one by one to get settled in before some orientations and activites to build the core of the Village, prepare the campsite for 47 crazy kids, and mash together the awesome adult group.

Leaders and JCs listening intently to the Staff presentations...will the kids be this behaved?

In the morning, Hugo and Jaime went to go shopping for the JC shop, and came back to Saint-Do with a car full of candies, chocolate, sodas and other sweet surprises for the kids (and adults, if they also want some!).

Sugar!!!

In the afternoon, the Staff gave a tour of the school to all the Leaders and JCs, just to make sure that nobody gets lost in the HUGE campsite we have for the summer. We explored different areas like the dining room, the activity hall, the JC shop, lullabies room, Leaders' lounge, and of course, the rooms we would be sleeping in.

We have a chapel...

...a BIG activity hall...

...lots of space for outdoor games...

...rooms for activities/meetings/lullabies...

...open spaces to play and enjoy the sun (the photo was taken during winter!)...

...a soon-to-be-very-noisy dining hall...

...and of course, spacious and comfortable bedrooms!

The only downside? ENDLESS stairs!!!

In the evening, the Staff led some very important discussions about the camp rules and goals, as well as the equally-important introductions of each member of the adult group through some fun and interesting games and activities. We ended the night by making some creative signs/posters and colorful nametags using our abundant arts & crafts materials.

The Leaders, being very serious about their work...

...and the JCs, being not-so-serious (and that's a good thing!)

30/06-04/07 - Staff Formation

The Staff having very typical French crepes for dinner

As is usual for CISV camps, the Staff group would usually meet a few days before the start of the program to thoroughly plan out the month, iron out concerns with the host and sending chapters, and most importantly, come together as a cohesive Staff team. For our “Peace by Piece” Village, the staff members from Lyon, Lille and Paris all converged on the town of Fondettes, just outside Tours, and the home of Hugo.

Selfie-time while waiting for Lucas to arrive

It was during these five days before camp that the staff discussed things like the daily schedule, room assignments, excursions, and all other camp-related matters. And somewhere in between, we also had the chance to go shopping, cook and have meals, tell jokes, play games and watch movies and a couple of World Cup matches together (because all work and no play makes your Staff team a pretty dull bunch!).

Elisa trying to find a good soundtrack for the drive

After this “mini-camp” with just the Staff, we all got into Hugo and Lucas’ cars for a short road-trip from chez Hugo to the campsite at Neuilly-sur-Seine, where we found Pennee, the Thai Leader, already waiting for us there. So we took her out to join us watch the awesome quarterfinals match between the French and German football teams. Unfortunately, that game didn’t end so well for the French, but at least we can still be happy for our friends in Germany!

Sad French staff after the game...