Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • May 30, 2012 There is a passionate debate going on — whether men and women should share child-rearing responsibilities — even if it means the father sometimes stays at home. Native American, Nigerian, Kyrgyz, Israeli, Bosnian, Azerbaijani, and American teens each express their points of view, and it’s only 9 a.m. at the Global Youth Village, a leadership camp for adolescents 13 to 18. Stepping into Waldsee, a visitor is immediately immersed in the German-speaking cultures of Europe, complete with Alpine huts, saunas, and a fairy tale forest called Marchenwald. Villagers play fussball and create buntglass (stained glass), along with traditional schwimmen and kanufahren (swimming and canoeing) at the beach. Even meals include wiener schnitzel and schokolade fondue. How far do campers travel to Waldsee? As far as Bemidgi, Minnesota, to one of six authentic Concordia Language Camp villages: French, Norwegian, Finnish, Russian, Spanish, and German. Despite the cameras, computers, telephone hookups, and technicians in the dining hall, all eyes were fixed intently on the large screen. This was the setting in 1998 when Seacampers in Big Pine Key, Florida, and their 11 Russian friends made history by participating in a direct satellite communication link with the Russian Space Station Mir. For 20 “goose bump” minutes, campers at the marine science camp posed questions through a staff translator to cosmonauts. These exchange visitors provide a unique opportunity for American children to have cultural exposure to new customs, languages, and activities by living and playing with the children and adults who become an intrinsic part of the multicultural tapestry of camp. Dick Thomas, director of Chewonki in Wiscasset, Maine, finds that the lives of Summer camps speak an international language his campers are enriched by this experience, as they realize that the United States is not the center of the universe. “International staff brings a symmetry and energy to the total staff,” according to Thomas. Chewonki, like many other American camps, also hosts campers from other nations. Families of international children appreciate the diversity of the camp community and the opportunity for immersion in a safe, secure American tradition. One outcome of the exchange program is invariably a greatly improved perception of the United States and its citizens by international participants. Cultural exchange programs authorized by the United States Department of State, host over 22,000 young adults from as many as 45 countries each year as counselors, instructors, and support staff in American summer camps. Under the auspices of international placement agencies that recruit and orient participants and obtain J-1 visas, camps serve as sponsors for these talented, highly-skilled visitors. Each one undergoes a rigorous screening process that includes police background checks, approval by the American Embassies in their countries, endorsement by immigration authorities, and verification of skills in particular program areas. Many camps go beyond simply including international staff and campers in their community. Culture festivals are popular, with cabin groups and counselors representing different countries through costumes, flags, food, folktales, songs, crafts, and games. Working with the camp food service, Russian pelmeni, Norwegian flatbread, Mexican fajitas, or other ethnic dishes may make an appearance at special theme meals. Campers often discover that many of their traditional camp songs have origins in other countries or are sung with slightly different words. Even “Rock, Paper, Scissors” is played by children around the world. For children with an interest in a more intensive international experience, specialized camps provide cultural immersion without leaving the security of the U.S. borders. The American Camp Association’s parent website: www. CampParents.org “Find a Camp” feature allows families to easily locate a camp with a “language study” or “international culture” focus. Some camps, and many national youth organizations, also sponsor exchange trips abroad. During the past decade, Chewonki has offered trips to Australia and Russia with the advantage of allowing participants the familiarity of the camp experience in another country. Since 1911, the YMCA has been building global citizens and is active in 110 countries with thirty million members worldwide. Through programs such as “Global Teens,” internationally minded teenagers from New York City participate in a oneyear program that includes three weeks of summer overseas travel. “Go Global” provides opportunities for young adults, age 18 and up, to work in YMCA programs abroad. As an official non-governmental organization, the YMCA also hosts an annual United Nations Conference for volunteers and youth members. Since 1948, the International 4-H Youth Exchange has provided opportunities for young ambassadors ages 16 to 25, to live and work in host families in Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific. The 4-H Labo program for Americans ages 12 to 17 includes a one-month home stay in Japan and also recruits American families and camps to host IFYE or Labo youth. From the colorful flags hanging in a camp’s dining hall, the lilt of the Irish receptionist who answers the phone, (continued on page 18)