Camp Directors and Counselors:
Global Exchange's Fair Trade Cocoa Campaign presents programs that allow you to...
- Make campfire S'mores into a teachable moment with We Want More from Our Smores!!!!
- Teach your campers about the environment and social justice using something they love, chocolate, with activities in Global Exchange's Fair Trade Cocoa Unit!
As a former summer camp counselor, I know that planning each day requires finding the right balance of activity, education, creativity, and fun.
That is why I am inviting you to participate in these two exciting Global Exchange programs that provide great activities that enrich summer camp programs.
These activities will keep your campers happy and their parents sending them back for more!
Plus, each camp director and counselor who uses the unit will be entered into our annual prize drawing for fabulous Fair Trade prizes!* The unit is made up of two separate pdf booklets: a book and a unit with activities. It is available at http://www.globalexchange.org/cocoa Here is a list of my ideas and suggestions for times during the camp schedule that the Fair Trade Cocoa Unit and We Want More from Our S'mores might be fun and useful resources... But remember that you can mix and match! Choose to pair morning reading with an afternoon activity, or to do a few readings and activities each week!
Morning Drop-Off:
• Pair up your campers as they arrive in the morning, and have them trade off reading sections of the Chocolate Book to each other
• As the kids learn more about Fair Trade, you might consider having them serve Fair Trade coffee to their parents at drop-off time or during camp visits.
Lunch Time or immediately following lunch:
• Turn lunch time into a Fair Trade Taste Test- campers will discover how delicious learning can be (Lesson 3)
• Create story time after lunch to help your campers get settled down and ready for the afternoon, using the Fair Trade Chocolate book
Arts and Crafts:
• Campers color in Fair Trade using the Chocolate Bar cutouts (Sheet 16 of the unit) and Coloring Sheet
• Campers can use the map to color cocoa beans in the countries where they grow (Lesson 1)
Activity Times:
• Cocoa Farmer Simulation- campers "grow" and "sell" cocoa beans to learn what differences the Fair Trade System makes (Lesson 6)
• Fair, Not Fair- campers apply important themes to their own lives, by discussing fair and unfair scenarios (Lesson 4)
• Coin Exchange- campers find what happens when trade is not fair (Lesson 4)
• Making buttons or tshirts in arts and crafts? Why not make "We Want More from Our S'mores National Action 2009?"
• Make sure to send in your videos and photos! More information is available at http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/cocoa/smoresproject.html .
• Invite your campers to write letters to their parents, explaining what they have learned and asking for Fair Trade chocolate or cookies in their care packages.
Around the Campfire:
• Your campers will love joining thousands of participants nationwide in the "We Want More from Our S'mores" National Action. (See the you tube video at www.globalexchange.org/cocoa .). Campers use Fair Trade chocolate, to turn a treat into something truly sweet for the environment and social justice, while you turn a campfire night into a meaningful, educational, and world-changing experience. Be sure to register all your S'mores here: http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/cocoa/smoresproject.html. You can source chocolate at your local store or from Equal Exchange, Global Exchange, Alter Eco, Art Bar, and others. Links are available at http:www/globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/cocoa/retailers.html.
• Singing "My Favorite Fair Traded Things" around the campfire will bring new meaning to the tune of a classic
Before Bedtime:
• Turn to the "Fair, Not Fair" scenario to keep the lessons of the day fresh (Lesson 4)
• Create a group discussion that encourages the campers to apply important themes to their own lives (Lesson 8)
• Create story time with the Fair trade Chocolate Book before bed to give the campers sweet (chocolate!) dreams
We can't wait to hear which parts enthused your campers and delighted their parents! Please email us at fairtrade@globalexchange.org, along with the evaluation you'll find at the end of the curriculum.
Have the best summer yet,
-Colette Kessler
PS: If you have any questions, please contact Moravia de la O at fairtrade@globalexchange.org
*The annual drawing occurs every February. If you refer educators, you will be entered into a prize drawing for $40 in Fair Trade prizes when the educator downloads the curriculum. If you teach the curriculum, you will be entered into a prize drawing for $75 in Fair Trade prizes. To be entered as an educator, email the following information to fairtrade@globalexchange.org :
• Your name
• Name of educational institution, camp, etc.
• Mailing address (please indicate whether it is your mailing address or the school's)
• Phone
• Number of children in your classroom
• Grade level
• Dates that you plan to teach the curriculum
In order to be eligible, participating educators must also postmark or email the curriculum evaluation at the end of the unit by February 21.
A PS from our Fair Trade Campaign Director (and co-creator of the Fair Trade Unit + We Want More from Our S'mores programs), Adrienne Fitch-Frankel:
Dear Camp Directors and Staff:
As you can see from Colette's message, summer camps hold a special place in our hearts here among the Fair Trade Team at Global Exchange. My grandfather was the Founder, Owner, and Director of the Robin Hood Camp in Los Angeles, summer camp to kids of the stars like Gene Kelly and others. We greatly look forward to working with you on this program!
Have a happy summer!
-Adrienne
