Dreaming in Arabic
The summer is off to a warm start alright! Only mere days until our first set of camps starts! We have been busy preparing all kinds of fun learning activities for our Arabic language and culture explorers! Our unique STEAM Arabic Immersion summer camps are set to accomplish several goals through our integrated curriculum and play-based approach.
By the end of each three-week camp, your little explorer will be singing in Arabic, speaking it a little more than before (or possibly exclusively!), and hopefully even dreaming in Arabic!! Yup, these have been reported by parents of campers the last three summers and are guaranteed to happen again!
Some camp updates and news:
Our Little Entrepreneurs camp got full back in May. Our waiting list is growing as we get closer to the camp start date of July 29th, so we do anticipate to open a second section of this popular camp. Our Little Engineers and the Sugar and Spice at Tea Time camps are also full.
All merit-based scholarships and most need-based scholarships have already been awarded. As we had anticipated, we ran out of full merit-based scholarships within a couple of weeks of opening registration!
Our mini-explorers part-time camp for kids 3-5 years old is also getting close to full.
Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:
Q: What is the camper-counselor ratio?
A: Our normal ratio is 5 children/adult. We have at least one background-checked adult with each group and 1-3 assistants and volunteers at all times.
Q: Will my child be with her/his sibling(s) or friend(s)?
A: Campers will be in their age-based camp group with a counselor and/or her assistant all day. Campers of different ages may mix together, but only under supervision, during lunch and recess and some outdoor play times.
Q: What activities will my child do?
A: Our daily schedule starts with morning routine: circle time, songs, conversations, etc.
Then we have blocks of 45-minute times for learning Arabic, games and sports, lunch and recess, a 90-minute block for theme-related projects and art activities, and time for review, wind-down, and pack up at the end. Our specials include yoga, Skype calls with conversation partners abroad (through Natakallam), Dabke, field trips, guest speakers, community projects, and more!
Q: What should my child pack to camp?
A: Here are our suggestions:
Nut-free lunch that doesn’t need refrigeration or heating,
one or two healthy nut-free snacks (suggestions: fruits and vegetables that don’t go bad in heat, nut-free crackers or pita chips),
a refillable water bottle labeled with child’s name,
a hat for outdoor time,
a towel and change of clothes on water play days,
sunblock (optional; for this and bug-repellant, a parent-signed health form is required before these can be applied by camper or staff)
Q: What times does my child need to be dropped off and picked up?
A: Drop off is at 9:00am and pick up is at 3:30pm. A staff member will be at the entrance at those times to facilitate carpool drop off and pick up. Please let her know who you are picking up and prepare to move your car as soon as your child safely secures herself/himself in their seat in order to get the carpool line moving quickly and efficiently.
Q: Do you offer after-care?
A: We have morning extended care hours starting at 8:30 for $50/week and afternoon extended care hours from 3:30-5:30 for $100/week. We need to know at least a week in advance if you need such service and it can only be done for an entire week, not on a day-to-day basis, due to staffing requirements. Late pick up fees of $1/minute will be charged in 15 minute increments starting at 3:30pm.
Q: Are scholarships available?
A: All merit-based scholarships provided by QFI have been awarded. There are a couple of partial need-based scholarships still available, but we expect to run out of all types soon. We can still help with financial aid and discounts with proven need, if you are interested in applying but missed the scholarships.
Q: Are devices allowed at camp?
A: We generally discourage campers from bringing devices and we try to keep tech usage to a minimum. Personal devices need to be off and away and only used with permission, under supervision, for emergencies. We are not responsible for any lost items, electronic or otherwise.
