Italy, and summer camp!

I am currently in Cassano d'Adda (the Adda being a river that runs through the town, that historically separated Venice-controlled territory from Milan's range). I'm a "tutor" or camp counselor for a summer camp operated by Lingua Senza Frontiere (yes, they want to be as big-time as similarly named organizations). We're a camp of about 160 wild, loud, rambunctious Italian kids, 11 tutors (representing England, US, Canada, and South Africa - yes, she's been asked why she left SA during the World Cup), and 1 seasoned professional (22 year old, proper English speaker who did the camps last year and went on tour with the company, performing language through drama throughout Italy) as supervisor.

First day in town, my host family (mom, Chiara, and 9-year old bro, Marco) took me to Marco's boy scout cookout on Saturday, May 12. It was alongside the wide, fast-flowing river. They cooked dinner for the parents, so many people were gathered for the feast. We played frisbee and futbol until dinner, then, when it got dark, I was soon running through the trees, being chased in a game of hide-and-seek tag. Left to the sound of Guns and Roses' "Patience" being played by some teenage boys.

My apartment is cozy, with a balcony off my room. I have the place to myself, since host mom has her interior design office here, two doors down from her apartment - makes for an eco-friendly commute!

Sunday was spent by the river, jumped in, and out, safely (don't tell Mom, apparently someone drowned in it later that day, unaware of the currents and hazards)... I think I've spent enough time in rivers to have a good idea about being safe in them.

I got the oldest students, with the best English, and the directive to put them to the test, give them some challenging assignments. And no, I didn't get the oldest because Iàm the oldest tutor (there's one a few months older than me). I've sent them home with homework most days, telling them to research such topics as environmental issues and to find poems to read in class. They've complied, for the most part, and seem enthusiastic to use the language. They've really been a fun group of students, if a bit talkative (in Italiano); they like to play a lot (dodgeball), but they've cracked down this week planning for Lo Spectaculo, the final performance tomorrow. I taught them some salsa dance moves on Monday, and they've requested to practice every day since, and will include that in their skit when they visit Cuba (after stopping in Hawaii for hula dancing, and before going to California to dance to "California Girls" - the new one).

We've had quiz shows, modeling, Olympics (i.e. field day games), and a carnival (I was in charge of a popular game station, in which they shot soccer balls at the goal I was tending, for the chance to win chocolate). I blocked 80% of the shots, and let a few of the young kids sneak one by me. We've sung a lot of camp songs (many original compositions, at least none that I've ever heard before...). I should be able to recycle those while entertaining my nephews. "Iggle, wiggle" and "the frog went uhn uhn aaaaahhhhh" (tongue out) are my current favorites.

I'll write more, with an update of how the final performance went, later. "Ciao, ciao, says goodbye in Italian..."