Project Launch:

Quebrada Grande is a small rural town with limited recreational opportunities for youth. The high school has a 25% graduation rate and neither the high school nor the elementary schools have after-school programs. This project will implement a weeklong summer arts camp to provide a safe, creative and engaging outlet for 30 elementary school students. Local teens will volunteer as camp counselors, helping to lead team building and self-esteem workshops as well as a daily art projects where the students will use recycled materials to create instruments and other crafts. At the end of the week, the students will showcase their work during an art exhibition and musical performance.

Project Update

The weeklong camp was a huge success for both counselors and campers. Over five days, 30 youth participated in various arts and crafts workshops as well as team-building exercises. At the end of each day, the students had time to reflect on the day's events and offer any insight or suggestions for the next day. Each camper was very enthusiastic about the camp and took pride in their artwork, especially during the final art exhibition. The counselors, who were all between the ages of 15-26, played an enormous part in the camp as they lead activities and served as positive role models for the younger campers. A representative from the local Development Association was able to observe the camp and its successes and is in favor of funding future youth development projects, including the construction of a basketball court in Quebrada Grande.

Testimonials

"It was a beautiful week. Everything was great. It gave the children and us something productive to do and we all learned a lot. It was an opportunity for us all to work together." – Paoloa, Project Leader

"I have enjoyed everything, especially making the tambourines and picture frames." – Dylan, 9, Project Participant

"My son, Emilio, was so excited for the camp. He reminded me about the camp almost every day before it started. He had such a great time and it was a great opportunity for him to play with other kids.” – Yendry, Project Participant