Immersion Camps
FLA-OC's Annual German, French, and Spanish Weekend Foreign Language Camps (run by volunteer Teachers who are FLA-OC members) are one of our most popular membership features. They provide students enrolled in intermediate and advanced levels of foreign language an opportunity to exercise their listening and speaking skills 24 hours a day with peers and other FL Teachers while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Big Bear Mountain, where Spring camps have traditionally been held for a number of years. Teachers who take students to camp have reported a dramatic change upon returning to the classroom - students are motivated and confident speakers in the target language, and inspire the rest of the class to take risks as well! They also make great new memories and friends from all over the southern CA area.
One-Day Camps are also available and take place at member high schools in the Orange County area. They generally last from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and are offered in fall and winter, depending on teacher and student availability and interest. One day of immersion proves to be an effective "shot in the arm" for starting off the year in the target language, and they're held as close to the beginning of the year as possible. Much like the weekend camps, new memories and friends are made.
Each distinct language camp has its own main contact person and committee of member teachers, and these vary from year to year. For any questions on our successful camps, please write to Elisabeth Strauss, VP of Camps, at lizstra@gmail.com.
What follows is a comparison chart that describes each type of camp offered by FLA-OC in more detail. We hope that you can bring students to each one, as they are both beneficial for everyone involved, Teachers and students alike! Be sure to read up on the Steps for Participating in Camps, and download General Documents you'll need for advertising the event on your school campus and for your participant registration.
at least 120 participants for exclusive use of the camp Lodge maybe available for fewer participants.
Length of Camp:
One day, about 6 hours
One weekend, Friday morning/afternoon to Sunday mid-day
Place:
An Orange County school (transportation methods vary)
Big Bear Mountain (transportation via charter bus)
Cost for Teacher/Student:
$15 (includes instruction, materials, breakfast & lunch; Teachers work free, ha!)
$140 (includes transportation to and from a central OC high school, 24-hour supervision, more than 30 hours of target-language practice, lodging & meals for 2 days & 2 nights, instruction & materials; Teachers pay $140 as well)
Language Levels:
I and II (Junior Highs welcome)
III, IV, AP/IB, and Native Speakers
Number of Participants:
varies each year (Teachers have no limit)
This school year's One-Day Camp Event Details are listed below. Mark your calendars!
| Event: | French and Spanish One-Day Camp |
| Location: |
French: Laguna Hills High School Spanish: Costa Mesa High School |
| Date: | Saturday, December 5, 2009 |
| Time: | 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
| Purpose: |
A day of song, dance, food, and art (skill focus: Listening/Speaking; theme focus: Christmas), all in the target language, for Foreign Language Students in levels I and II (grades 7-12)! Professional development & collaboration for their Teachers, as well! |
One-Day Camp Schedule of Activities (Template, may vary from year to year and language to language)
8:00 - 8:30 a.m.:
Registration
8:30 - 9:00 a.m.:
Ice Breakers, Presentations of Schools, Pledge
9:05 - 9:50 a.m.:
Class Session #1
9:55 - 10:40 a.m.:
Class Session #2
10:40 - 10:55 a.m.:
BREAK/Snack/Store Open
11:00 - 11:45 a.m.:
Class Session #3
11:50 - 12:35 p.m.:
Class Session #4
12:35 - 1:00 p.m.:
LUNCH/Store Open
1:05 - 2:15 p.m.:
Field Activities
2:15 - 2:30 p.m.:
Awards & Closing Ceremonies
- 1) The Teacher must renew his/her FLA-OC membership (runs December to December). Once membership is current, then the Teacher may advertise the event to his/her Students using these flyers and forms:
- $15 (cash, or check made out to Students' school/club)
- a camp application form (see forms in #2 above)
- a school field trip form (standard one used at each school site, should include emergency medical information and the phone number and signature of Student's parents/guardians, ask Staff at your school site for more information)
- to be announced by Language Camp Leader
4) The Teacher should deposit all (non-refundable) funds collected from Students into a school account so he/she can receive a check for the total amount owed, made out to the "Foreign Language Association of Orange County". The Teacher should bring ONE CHECK for all students who attend, and 2 forms for each person who attends (FLA-OC Camp App. and school form), to the last planning meeting.
5) The Teacher then mails all forms and one school check to the FLA-OC President:
Nadine Elwood, Foreign Language
Esperanza High School
1830 N. Kellogg Drive
Anaheim, CA 92807
6) Teachers will structure camp agendas at planning meetings. They are expected to use the target language while continuously interacting with all Campers and helping to run activities during the event.
Students will be given all necessary materials they'll need during the event at registration upon arriving. Lunch and a drink will also be served.
Contact Marla Pendley Meeting Schedule & Documents to Download |
| FRIDAY, 5 p.m. |
Depart from a central OC high school Roll is taken, Customs – passports stamped before entering buses |
| 7:30 p.m. | Arrival at Presbyterian Conference Center Snack, Pledge to Speak Target Language, Introduction of Schools, Camp Rules, Ice Breakers, Music, etc. |
| 9:30 p.m. | Brief Teacher meeting |
| SATURDAY, 7:45 a.m. |
1st Breakfast (8 tables in dining room) Table games & conversation/“Quiero comer” song & mini-aerobics |
| 8:15 a.m. | 2nd Breakfast (9 tables in dining room) Table games & conversation/“Quiero comer” song & mini-aerobics |
| 8:50 - 9:35 a.m. | Class Session #1 (dance, culinary arts, civilizations & cultures) |
| 9:40 - 10:20 a.m. | Class Session #2 |
| 10:40 - 11:20 a.m. | Class Session #3 |
| 11:25 - 12:05 p.m. | Class Session #4 |
| 12:15 - 1 p.m. | 1st Lunch (9 tables in dining room) Table games & conversation/“Quiero comer” song & mini-aerobics |
| 1:05 - 1:45 p.m. | 2nd Lunch (8 tables in dining room) Table games & conversation/“Quiero comer” song & mini-aerobics |
| 1:45 - 2:15 | Scavenger Hunt/Nature Hike |
| 2:20 - 3:25 | Sports/Olympic Games/Table Games |
| 3:45 - 4:25 | Arts & Crafts/The Mail |
| 4:30 - 5:15 | Rehearsal for Presentations |
| 5:15 - 6:00 | Free time & preparation for evening activities |
| 6:00 - 6:40 | 1st Dinner (8 tables in dining room) Table games & conversation/“Quiero comer” song & mini-aerobics |
| 6:45 - 7:30 | 2nd Dinner (9 tables in dining room) Table games & conversation/“Quiero comer” song & mini-aerobics |
| 7:40 - 8:30 | Presentations of Group Projects & Awards |
| 8:35 - 9:15 | Campfire stories & singing |
| 9:30 - 11:00 p.m. | Dance & Games |
| SUNDAY, 7:15 - 8:15 a.m. |
Cabin clean-up & bus loading Roll is taken, Customs – passports stamped before entering buses |
| 8:15 - 8:45 | 1st Brunch (9 tables in dining room) Table games & conversation/“Quiero comer” song & voting for Camp Awards |
| 8:50 - 9:20 | 2nd Brunch (8 tables in dining room) Table games & conversation/“Quiero comer” song & voting for Camp Awards |
| 10:20 - 10:55 | The Court & Awards: Penalties for English speakers, prizes for star campers; cabin check |
| 11:00 a.m. | Departure from Big Bear |
| 1:00 p.m. | Arrival at a central OC high school & prompt parent pick-up |
News
Info on French Camp HERE
FLAOC NEWSLETTER
FLAOC Membership Application
Mini Immersion Flyer
Mini Immersion Daycamp Application