Arts Enriched English Camp
Over 100 Polish students from all regions of Poland attended the three week session of the Kościuszko Foundation Arts Enriched English Camp held for the third time at the Związek Harcerstwa Polskiego (ZHP) Scouting facility Nadwarciański Gród located near the city of Wieluń in southwest Poland. Eleven teachers and thirteen teaching assistants from the United States volunteered their time and talents to teach classes in the fine and performing arts, conversation and American sports to students ages 11-18. This year, we would like to thank especially The Kościuszko Foundation of New York, ZHP Scouts, and the NIDA Foundation of Poland who sponsored the camp. We are also grateful for the continuing support of the program by UNESCO of Poland. Thank you to Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Foundation and Central Instrument Company of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, The Cleveland Society of Poles and the Broadway in Chicago, and the Philadelphia Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation for their support.The Ohio Chapter of The Kościuszko Foundation covered all the shipping costs for supplies and educational materials.
The older students ages 14-18, attended classes in clarinet, painting, drawing, conversation and drama. The younger students ages 10-13, built and learned to play the banjo thanks to a $3000 grant from the Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Foundation, obtained by Mary Kay Pieski,Vice President of the Ohio Chapter of The Kościuszko Foundation. The younger students also created their own pieces on Orff instruments purchased two years ago with grant monies from Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Foundation. Drama and art classes were also offered daily to this age group. All students benefited from a gift of baseball equipment supplied by the National Polish Baseball Foundation and a new edition of Lacrosse sticks. A special thank you to Kościuszko Foundation Trustee, Mr. Al Koproski for securing the equipment.. In the afternoon the campers learned how to play American baseball, Lacrosse, and football as well as other recreational sports.
Special activities and events at the camp this year included: Fourth of July celebration complete with a play written by one of the Teaching Assistants from Pennsylvania, Jonathan Dick performed by the American Staff members and a bonfire and s'mores donated by the American staff. The students and staff enjoyed getting their face painted for the Halloween party and disco. The Polish students and staff educated the American staff on Polish traditions and customs during the assembly on Polish Day. A special festival of Polish songs was the highlight of the celebration.
The theme of this year's camp was "Tell me your story through dance, music,drama, and art."The Art Expo, held on the evening before the final day of classes showcased the student's stop motion photography, paper collages inspired by the author and illustrator Eric Carle, bookmaking, and watercolor pieces displayed in the classrooms. The musical portion of the expo featured original works and repertoire learned in class. The students performed on banjo, guitar, and Orff instruments. The younger students presented an adaptation of the story The Rough- Face Girl adapted from the short story by Rafe Martin under the direction of Dolly Parker and Jonathan Dick. The older students created a piece called Camp Suite: Original Theatrical Interpretations of Camp Life under the instruction of Tom Rusnak and Pauline Critch Gillifan. The Finale included a special rendition of the song Candle on the Water featuring the soloist, Magdalena Marczak and several clarinet students under the direction of Dr. Patricia Grutzmacher from Kent State University and Melody Rentschler.
Several teachers and teaching assistants offered special classes to the 25 children from the flooded regions of Poland who came to the camp for vacation. The American staff met with the Vice Marsall of Łódź who visited the camp and the children affected by the flood.
The American staff enjoyed visiting many of the cultural and historical sites in Poland. Thank you to Pani Krystyna Mikita, Director and the staff at Nadwarciański Gród. Thank you to all the volunteer teachers and teaching assistants from the United States and the Polish staff who made this camp possible. Also special thank you to the Board of Trustees of The Kosciuszko Foundation.
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