Every year, the CIE provides a one week summer camp for YCT Scholarship recipients and also Chinese Bridge Competition Winners from Elementary Schools. 2015 is the 7th year for the CIE to offer this program. About 60 students attended the free summer camp that was run from June 29 to July 3.
The program was well received by students and parents. Seven years ago, the CIE only offered one class of 30 students at the summer camp, but the program had to be expanded due the high demand. A few years ago, the CIE began providing two classes for a total of 60 students.
During the camp, a variety of activities were provided for the students, including experiences in Chinese culture and arts, as well as special Mandarin Chinese lessons. The activities included dancing, tai chi, Chinese songs, public speech, Chinese traditional games, dough art, paper cutting, painting, knots and calligraphy. One parent told us that he was so amazed that in only one week the students accomplished so much.
On the last day, the camp closing ceremony was held. All the students had a chance to showcase what they learned in a variety of forms including, role play, singing, reciting, Tai Chi and Tai Chi Fan demonstrations. The CIE culture center was also fully decorated with the students’ work. Many of the students were sorry to see the camp end and expressed the hope that they could come back again next year.