CAMP ST JOAN 2007
MEXICO
Dreaming A World United
Soñando un Mundo Unido

Editor's Note: Our reporters, Jerry and Trish Hartlaub, went above and beyond the call of duty to capture the essence of Camp St. Joan, one of the most labor intensive activities of the parish. We invite you to click on the linked words for pictures and more information about the camp.

Reporter: What did YOU like best about camp?
Campers: "I liked cooking the best," said Colin (5).

"What I get to do and get to learn," said Pablo (7). "The Day of the Dead, when spirits come out to their grave!" said Charlie (9). "Everything!!!" said Nicole (7) "All of it!!!" said Greer (8)

About 160 children, preschool through grade 5, were treated to the sights and sounds of Mexico at Camp St Joan 2007- no passport required. The gym became Mexico (well almost) with a giant La Virgen de Guadalupe on a crimson hillside, colorful hanging mobiles, huge murals by Diego Rivera, religious artifacts and many typical family artifacts.

A booming trumpet riff (daaa, da da da, daaaaa!!!!) started Day 1, July 16. A brief benediction by Fr Jim Cassidy followed. Each day of Camp convened with a rousing welcome and summary of the day. Diana, ambassador from Mexico, with Anna Vagle and Jim Emery, led a prayer and an exhilarating Spanish song.

Then campers, divided into 12 groups, attended a carefully planned schedule of Camp Stations. Each station relied on wonderful experts to present some aspect of Mexican culture. Historical characters of Mexico roamed the groups to tell their stories. The daily closing ceremony of children singing was joyful in the knowledge gained and the expectations for tomorrow.

Each day had a theme with a prepared list of fast-facts about Mexican festivals, history, mythology, religion, language and children. Campers went to market, cooked and sampled food, made crafts, played games, listened and played music, explored moral questions, heard folk-tales, danced, and enjoyed other experiences of Mexican culture. At home after each day of camp, parents could use the fast facts, descriptions of the Camp stations, and craft materials to chat with their children about their day at camp.

Campers painted a huge mural on the last available wall in the “nursery” area, a tradition of Camp St. Joan. A new tradition will be a mosaic bench art project, beautifully decorated with colorful tiles – each camper cementing some tiles. This year's completed bench will be placed on the parish campus.

Fluttering skyward, monarch butterflies were released in the closing ceremony. Rachel Kroog urged, "Just like the butterflies are let go to migrate to Mexico, you can let go of anger or prejudices or whatever is bothering you." Enough to bring a tear of joy and freedom to the writer. A fitting conclusion to Day 4, the last morning of Camp.

In Mexico, celebrating a fiesta is special. So Camp St Joan closed with a rousing Family Fiesta. Fr Jim DeBruycker led a brief closing prayer. Then camper's families celebrated and feasted with music, food, games, and stories. And then it was over- a magnificent week of learning and a fabulous evening of vibrant Mexican entertainment.

Epilogue
In our pluralistic, contentious world it is critically important to increase the awareness of our young people to cultures around the planet. Mexico is a near neighbor that has great impact on the United States. Camp St Joan 2007 - Mexico was a marvelous way to achieve these goals while enjoying old and new friends. Our children are immensely richer for such a wonderful camp. An amazing experience.

Mark your calendars July 14-17, 2008 - Camp St. Joan 2008 - Ireland. Tenth annual camp! As Madeleine (8) said, "Next year, I'm going to Ireland!!!"

Recognition
Such an incredible camp doesn't happen by accident. The fantastic planning and organizing was by Cristine Patlan and Jody Emmings of the SJA staff. Gracias! Gracias! A throng of volunteers (perhaps 200, including "Camp graduates") were guided by Camp Committee leaders Gabrielle, Richard, Trent, David, Kathy, Mary Beth, Tim, Robyn, Eileen, Sandy, Mari, Becha and Vanita. Gracias! Gracias! From planning to organizing to acquisition to set-up to implementation to cleanup to post camp review - lots of great work. Thousands of hours. Gracias! Gracias! A typical class act - in the SJA tradition.

and

Jerry and Trish Hartlaub commute from New Brighton to be refreshed and challenged at the "SJA spiritual oasis". Jerry is a regular webreporter who was helped by his wife Trish on this story. He's a Sunday mass slide jockey and "worker bee" at many SJA events. For fun he has written a bunch of poetry, printed his first book, and invented lots of stuff in a 30-year bioengineering career. These days he teaches cardiac physiology (but he's mostly retired), serves on non-profit boards, does Junior Achievement gigs and plays softball. But most rewarding is providing child-care for two of the world's smartest, cutest grandchildren.