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Camp Chahim: Summer Day Camp for Mayan Children in Southern Belize
Camp Chahim is seeking funding to sponsor a one-week summer day camp for thirty Mayan children living in a remote region of southern Belize. The camp will be free to attend for the children.
The Toledo district is an area of dense jungle, heavy rains and few paved roads. Half of Toledo’s population is impoverished Mayans and has the highest rate of malnourished children in the country. A shocking forty-two percent of Toledo’s children have stunted growth and few have access to the educational support they need to stay in school beyond the eighth grade.
A summer camp that offers English education and hands-on experience with practical skills increases a child’s chance of entering the next school term better prepared for the academic year.
Just $50 will put one child through camp!
The camp is free to attend for the children and we need help to cover the costs. Just fifty dollars will cover all costs to send a childe to the camp. Our goal is to give this opportunity to at least 30 under privileged Mayan children between the ages of 10 and 14 living in the Silver Creek Village of southern Belize.
Funds permitting, each of the children will receive the following items:
- English vocabulary and reading book
- Notebooks, pens, pencils
- Art supplies
- T-shirt with Camp Chahim logo
- Hot lunch
- Backpack
One hundred percent of the money raised in this campaign will go directly to fund the camp.
Hiring locals to help with the camp
Camp Chahim creates jobs for the local economy. A primary goal of the camp is to hire locals to support the operation of camp and serve as translators as necessary. The following positions are hired locally:
- Camp Field Director
- Camp Cook
- Camp Counselors
Why Summer Camp?
Summer camps have a profound and positive impact on children. The experiences and friendships gained at camp last a lifetime. Children build self-esteem, learn new skills, become more self-reliant, and acquire social skills. When they start their academic year, they are more prepared and able to progress faster in school. Many children living in under developed regions do not have the opportunity to attend a summer camp and experience the growth. Camp Chahim gives the kids of Silver Creek Village this opportunity to grow.
“Dear Friend, Thank you for offering us the opportunity to learn new things such as dancing, studying English, painting masks, making bracelets and necklaces. I thank you for your generosity and for the things you gave us such as books, backpacks, pens.”
Cytlali (age eleven) attended Camp Estrella 2015 in San Juan Cosala, Mexico
The Mayans of Silver Creek School
Mr. Bo (left back), head of the Toledo Catholic Schools, and Martha Lopez (back right) pose with the children who will attend Camp Chahim in front of the Silver Creek School. Martha is the Field Director for Camp Chahim. The school is donating their facilities for the camp.
Chahim is the Kekchi Mayan word for Star – The camp endeavors to instill in the children they are the “Stars of the Future”.
The Program
Camp Chahim will run for five days July 18-22, 2016. The camp will provide song and dance lessons, creative art projects, English literacy lessons, one-on-one reading help, and a hot lunch. Reading, writing and arts and craft supplies are also provided. The camp culminates with a recital where the children showcase what they learned during the week and any other talents they have for the local community.
Each day is comprised of these main activities:
1. Opening Circle – Everyone gathers to sing camp songs and receive star awards for excellent behavior from the day before.
2. Reading and English Literacy - camp is divided into groups of 5-6 children based on reading level. Each group is assigned a Camp Counselor who leads the group with reading, vocabulary building, and literacy activities.
3. Dance, Singing, Arts & Crafts Part 1– camp is again divided into three groups based on age. Group 1 goes to their dance lesson while Group 2 goes to their singing lesson and Group 3 goes to the arts and crafts lesson.
4. Lunch – served by a local cook
5. Afternoon Circle – we gather together again as a group to learn the camp song and demonstrate one of the four values of camp: Respect, Confidence, Teamwork or Excellence
6. Dance, Song, Arts & Crafts Part 2 & 3– the groups rotate until each has had a chance at the all skills building activities.
7. Closing Circle brings the group back together for final messages from the day, deep yoga breathing, and final prayer (non-denominational).
Outreach to Remote Areas
We will also be doing daily outreach the week of July 25-29 to regions more remote bringing them books and clothing as the weather and roads permit. Donations of lightly worn children’s clothing and beginning reading and vocabulary books gratefully accepted!
Showing Gratitude
The children of our camps love to express their gratitude. We will send camp supporters a hand-painted Thank you note for donations of $50 or more. Here is one such Thank you note from our camp in Mexico:
“Things I liked about Camp Estrella. What I liked is to paint and decorate the masks. But above all, more than anything, was painting this great thank you card for which I thank you for all the support. Camp not only helped us to be better people but also your fun songs motivated and helped us at the same time. We made close friends thanks to your support. Your donation and dedication to this camp opened the doors of imagination for us. Gracias”
Cielo (age thirteen) Camp Estrella 2015 Ajijic, Mexico
Kindle the Spark!
Many children of the world hold the potential to be future stars but those growing up in under developed regions need help to kindle their spark.
Please donate today!
Who We Are
Camp Founder/Director Cyndie Zikmund has lived and worked in Silicon Valley for over thirty years. When orphaned at 15, neighbors took her into their homes and helped her complete High School. And now she wants to honor their help by giving the gift of education to children struggling in under developed regions. This is the third summer camp she has put on and the first of many more.
Dave McMahon – co-founder of Kindle Spark and Camp Counselor has lived and worked in Silicon Valley since 1986. Dave is the Music Director for camp in addition to being a Camp Counselor.
Mr. Bo is the head of Toledo Catholic Schools and the local authority ensuring the camp has a lasting impact within the school system.
Martha Lopez, Teacher at Silver Creek School & Camp Chahim Field Director
Teachers for a Better Belize (TFABB) is a partnership of professional educators from North America and Belize. Working since 1997 to improve preschool and primary (K-8) education in Belize’s Toledo district. Visit TFBB here
Please donate today!
Camp Chahim is seeking funding to sponsor a one-week summer day camp for thirty Mayan children living in a remote region of southern Belize. The camp will be free to attend for the children.
The Toledo district is an area of dense jungle, heavy rains and few paved roads. Half of Toledo’s population is impoverished Mayans and has the highest rate of malnourished children in the country. A shocking forty-two percent of Toledo’s children have stunted growth and few have access to the educational support they need to stay in school beyond the eighth grade.
A summer camp that offers English education and hands-on experience with practical skills increases a child’s chance of entering the next school term better prepared for the academic year.
Just $50 will put one child through camp!
The camp is free to attend for the children and we need help to cover the costs. Just fifty dollars will cover all costs to send a childe to the camp. Our goal is to give this opportunity to at least 30 under privileged Mayan children between the ages of 10 and 14 living in the Silver Creek Village of southern Belize.
Funds permitting, each of the children will receive the following items:
- English vocabulary and reading book
- Notebooks, pens, pencils
- Art supplies
- T-shirt with Camp Chahim logo
- Hot lunch
- Backpack
One hundred percent of the money raised in this campaign will go directly to fund the camp.
Hiring locals to help with the camp
Camp Chahim creates jobs for the local economy. A primary goal of the camp is to hire locals to support the operation of camp and serve as translators as necessary. The following positions are hired locally:
- Camp Field Director
- Camp Cook
- Camp Counselors
Why Summer Camp?
Summer camps have a profound and positive impact on children. The experiences and friendships gained at camp last a lifetime. Children build self-esteem, learn new skills, become more self-reliant, and acquire social skills. When they start their academic year, they are more prepared and able to progress faster in school. Many children living in under developed regions do not have the opportunity to attend a summer camp and experience the growth. Camp Chahim gives the kids of Silver Creek Village this opportunity to grow.
“Dear Friend, Thank you for offering us the opportunity to learn new things such as dancing, studying English, painting masks, making bracelets and necklaces. I thank you for your generosity and for the things you gave us such as books, backpacks, pens.”
Cytlali (age eleven) attended Camp Estrella 2015 in San Juan Cosala, Mexico
The Mayans of Silver Creek School
Mr. Bo (left back), head of the Toledo Catholic Schools, and Martha Lopez (back right) pose with the children who will attend Camp Chahim in front of the Silver Creek School. Martha is the Field Director for Camp Chahim. The school is donating their facilities for the camp.
Chahim is the Kekchi Mayan word for Star – The camp endeavors to instill in the children they are the “Stars of the Future”.
The Program
Camp Chahim will run for five days July 18-22, 2016. The camp will provide song and dance lessons, creative art projects, English literacy lessons, one-on-one reading help, and a hot lunch. Reading, writing and arts and craft supplies are also provided. The camp culminates with a recital where the children showcase what they learned during the week and any other talents they have for the local community.
Each day is comprised of these main activities:
1. Opening Circle – Everyone gathers to sing camp songs and receive star awards for excellent behavior from the day before.
2. Reading and English Literacy - camp is divided into groups of 5-6 children based on reading level. Each group is assigned a Camp Counselor who leads the group with reading, vocabulary building, and literacy activities.
3. Dance, Singing, Arts & Crafts Part 1– camp is again divided into three groups based on age. Group 1 goes to their dance lesson while Group 2 goes to their singing lesson and Group 3 goes to the arts and crafts lesson.
4. Lunch – served by a local cook
5. Afternoon Circle – we gather together again as a group to learn the camp song and demonstrate one of the four values of camp: Respect, Confidence, Teamwork or Excellence
6. Dance, Song, Arts & Crafts Part 2 & 3– the groups rotate until each has had a chance at the all skills building activities.
7. Closing Circle brings the group back together for final messages from the day, deep yoga breathing, and final prayer (non-denominational).
Outreach to Remote Areas
We will also be doing daily outreach the week of July 25-29 to regions more remote bringing them books and clothing as the weather and roads permit. Donations of lightly worn children’s clothing and beginning reading and vocabulary books gratefully accepted!
Showing Gratitude
The children of our camps love to express their gratitude. We will send camp supporters a hand-painted Thank you note for donations of $50 or more. Here is one such Thank you note from our camp in Mexico:
“Things I liked about Camp Estrella. What I liked is to paint and decorate the masks. But above all, more than anything, was painting this great thank you card for which I thank you for all the support. Camp not only helped us to be better people but also your fun songs motivated and helped us at the same time. We made close friends thanks to your support. Your donation and dedication to this camp opened the doors of imagination for us. Gracias”
Cielo (age thirteen) Camp Estrella 2015 Ajijic, Mexico
Kindle the Spark!
Many children of the world hold the potential to be future stars but those growing up in under developed regions need help to kindle their spark.
Please donate today!
Who We Are
Camp Founder/Director Cyndie Zikmund has lived and worked in Silicon Valley for over thirty years. When orphaned at 15, neighbors took her into their homes and helped her complete High School. And now she wants to honor their help by giving the gift of education to children struggling in under developed regions. This is the third summer camp she has put on and the first of many more.
Dave McMahon – co-founder of Kindle Spark and Camp Counselor has lived and worked in Silicon Valley since 1986. Dave is the Music Director for camp in addition to being a Camp Counselor.
Mr. Bo is the head of Toledo Catholic Schools and the local authority ensuring the camp has a lasting impact within the school system.
Martha Lopez, Teacher at Silver Creek School & Camp Chahim Field Director
Teachers for a Better Belize (TFABB) is a partnership of professional educators from North America and Belize. Working since 1997 to improve preschool and primary (K-8) education in Belize’s Toledo district. Visit TFBB here
Please donate today!