English Space Race!

Monday, 07 September 2009 18:07

On July 26th at 2:00 p.m., at the beautiful campus of the College of Humanities & Sciences of Northeast Normal University, 177 campers received a warm welcome. The annual English camp was held by Lifepegs International Club, with an exciting “Space Race” theme for the 2009 summer.

Before camp officially began, campers completed oral and written exams to determine which of the six summer class-teams was best suited to his or her corresponding English level. The six teams, known as Aliens, UFO’s, Rockets and others following the space race theme, were arranged into two sides or “galaxies,” Zwicky and Arp. Each galaxy with its’ three teams of super-excited campers raced through the space of two weeks to win the coveted title, “Champions of the 2009 English Space Race!”

On July 27th, the two-week summer camp officially began, submersing all campers in one-hundred percent native-English-speaker lessons for fourteen days! At each day’s pep rally, all six classes entered the camp meeting hall one at a time, shouting team cheers at deafening volumes, wildly waving team flags, and even pounding the tables crazily while proclaiming their team supremacy! Delicious dishes and friendly conversation satisfied most everyone at meal times, while exciting American games gave everyone plenty to talk about. Campers broadened their horizons while practicing daily conversation in various English corners during the evenings. Of course plenty of new friends and deep affections were found throughout the two weeks, but happy time always flies. The final day of camp sneakily arrived, and during the final ceremony, many found themselves heavy-hearted at the thought of leaving camp. However, there was one more chance for goodbyes as every class-team went out for a “last lunch” together, ending the thrilling fourteen days with one final cheerful memory.

2009核心英语夏令营

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What did our campers have to say?

Many campers expressed that they did more than improve their English; they became more familiar with western culture, made new friends, and also claim to have picked up some of the optimism of their crazy foreign teachers!

A student from Aliens, known as Lucky Star, said, “Summer camp was full of passion, enthusiasm and vitality! I learned the importance of team work… And I will keep the happy friendship and memory forever.”

Joy from UFOs remarked, “The most important part was [learning] to share with others, and to understand and trust others.”

Eisenhower from Black Holes commented, “Summer camp is… the perfect place for communication between eastern and western cultures.”

Comets’ Ruby noted, “I learned many instructive [life] skills. I will always remember this activity, and face everyday happily and positively.”

Novas’ Shannon remarked, “We sang here, went crazy here, and [learned different] skills while having fun.”

Catherine from Rockets said, “Summer Camp is the happiest and craziest learning environment I ever experienced. Exaggerated facial expressions of foreign teachers, funny answers of classmates, and cheering together for activities are still very vivid to me. There is always a smile on my face when I look back. What a wonderful memory!”