Thread: Camp gives youngsters, adults time to share their cultures

http://www.union-bulletin.com/articles/ ... ocal06.txt

Camp gives youngsters, adults time to share their cultures

The YMCA's cross-cultural exchange camp runs through July 21.

Updated: Friday, July 14, 2006 1:44 PM PDT


The YMCA's annual cross-cultural exchange camp - held in cooperation with the Mexican Consulate and the Walla Walla School District - is enjoying its highest turnout, according to Abel Hernandez, director.

``Hopefully we can take more than this next year,'' Hernandez said. ``The purpose of this program is to enroll as many kids as we can, especially the Anglos, to learn a different culture and different ways of having fun.''

Each summer, Mexico sends teachers around the United States to remind transplanted and second-generation Hispanic children of their heritage.

``It's a way of keeping in touch with our roots,'' Hernandez said. ``It's a great opportunity for other kids of different backgrounds here in Walla Walla to experience something different.

``When I started working with this program (three to four years ago) it took me to my childhood,'' Hernandez said. ``I remembered the games that we played.''

Former Walla Walla School District employee Sergio Hernandez got the ball rolling after being tipped off by the consulate just over a decade ago, Abel Hernandez said. Sergio approached the YMCA, which was happy to lend its support to the camp's formation, Abel said.

The teachers, Yadira Hernandez and Hector Camacho from Guadalajara, live at Whitman College and are paid a stipend, according to the YMCA.

``I decided to take this opportunity to give to the Mexican people living in the United States a piece of the Mexican culture and traditions,'' Camacho said. ``They (the kids) have asked us about the schools, sports and teachers in Mexico. It's been very interesting.''

``I'm learning a lot from the children here,'' Hernandez said. ``It's a great experience, too.''

Camacho is also learning from the participants.

``They have (taught) us new things, including the language,'' Camacho said. ``We're learning about the way they live in the United States.''

To participate, teachers must go through a selection process, Abel Hernandez said. Each of Mexico's states has a commission that decides who comes here, Hernandez said.

The camp concludes July 21.

The purpose of this program is to enroll as many kids as we can, especially the Anglos, to learn a different culture and different ways of having fun.'

What exactly do they mean, to learn a different culture and different ways of having fun? Do they mean activities like cockfighting, horse tripping, child impregnating, wife beating, grafitti spraying and car stealing? Those kinds of wonderful Mexican traditions.

Well isn't this special.

Originally Posted by reptile09

The purpose of this program is to enroll as many kids as we can, especially the Anglos, to learn a different culture and different ways of having fun.'

What exactly do they mean, to learn a different culture and different ways of having fun? Do they mean activities like cockfighting, horse tripping, child impregnating, wife beating, grafitti spraying and car stealing? Those kinds of wonderful Mexican traditions.

You forgot to add bullfighting! Also still very popular in supposedly enlightened Spain and to a lesser extent enlightened Portugal and even Southern France.

Seriously, I think it fine for foreigners in the USA to open restaurants in their homeland cuisines, celebrate their holidays whether Cinco De Mayo, St. Patrick's Day Parades, Ocktoberfests, Chinese New Years, etc., etc.

Still, there are some cultural traditions from third world countries that we, as a civilized country, do not want or need.

I really like international foods from multiple countries. My 2-year college degree was in tourism and travel. I like to learn about other cultures and experience their lifestyles as far as food, customs and festivities go (as long as they don't involved any human rights violations or animal cruelties).

Regardless of the article above, I don't think the YMCA or any other non-profit should be pandering to a specirfic ethnic or national group. If hispanics come to the USA, they need to adopt our basic culture and language, not the other way around. Sure, open up your restraurants (again delicious food) and celebrate your national festivities, but they need to assimilate to the American way of life and obey our laws by LEGALLY immigrating and if necessary, leaving any barbaric customs behind.

Annie

``It's a way of keeping in touch with our roots,'' Hernandez said.

If you want to learn about the Mexican heritage, take 'em camping to Cancun and stay!
Otherwise, teach them AMERICAN heritage.

Originally Posted by sippy

``It's a way of keeping in touch with our roots,'' Hernandez said.

If you want to learn about the Mexican heritage, take 'em camping to Cancun and stay!
Otherwise, teach them AMERICAN heritage.

Hehe, your basic premise is good, but, if they held their camp in Cancun....they would just be seeing American culture in Cancun proper.
Cancun is a shrine to Capitalism. You could go outside the tourist sector to the shack zone and get in on some mex culture though.

YMCA oughta know better.


Here's one of the decent, hard-working
camp councilers, ready to teach campers
how to use the bone saw.

This is nothing more than brainwashing children to accept "diversity" and "multiculteralism". Just another tool to water down the United States of America.