The Child Unique Montessori School & Montessori Elementary School of Alameda (MESA)'s

Destination Imagination: Creativity & Curiosity 2016

Session 5

PHOTOGRAPHY & CHEF'S CAMP

Encinal

Pacific

Dear Parents

What an amazing and creative group of campers we have this session! Kids are aiming and snapping cameras, cutting and mixing ingredients, then sharing and enjoying the fruits of their labor. Photography Camp began with a thorough introduction to the history of the camera. Cameras have come more than a long way since their ancient beginnings. Did you know that the Pinhole camera or Camera Obscura was invented in 1000AD? It projects an inverted image when light passes through a small aperture. But it wasn't until about 1816 that French inventor Joseph Nicéphore Niépce burned the first permanent image using heliography, or sun drawing.

We learned about the Daguerreotypes and about later innovators like George Eastman who patented the first Kodak Roll Film Camera and Polaroid photography in 1947, which is known for making instant photography possible. After much discussion, a little web exploration and video watching, campers were up to date on their photo history ending with digital cameras, and of course, every child's favorite, the 2011 Smartphones.

Later in the week, campers had fun with many different activities to help them learn about the various parts of the camera, what they do and how to use them. They explored the lens mount, the shutter button, the mirror (where light entering through the lens is reflected towards the viewfinder), the lens release button, the mode dial and the hot shoe (Isn't that a cool name? However, it is just the part of the camera where you attach a flash).

We also talked about and used different types of cameras like the Simple Box Camera, the Polaroid, the Digital Camera and the Disposable Camera. Campers were quick to connect the fact that digital cameras are now incorporated into many other devises, like mobile phones. The students spent the rest of the week making picture frames, taking many shots of various subjects, and taking walks around the block and to the park to work in natural light and expand the angles and subject matter of our photos.

I hope family members at home are experiencing the results of what our little chefs have learned here at camp on the dinner table? Or in the kitchen? Campers have created (and happily devoured) a range of healthy treats all week. On Monday, they made cold, yummy Smoothies with bananas, strawberries and ice cubes. Tuesday was even better when we were all able to enjoy homemade Honey Ice-cream in a bag! Our "Chefs in Training" had no trouble getting messy and no one got upset, because they all know how to clean up and eat up! Later in the week we made delicious Kebabs using cherry tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, and bell peppers. Campers have become cheese and hummus experts as well. Though I cannot vouch for the fact that they all love hummus. I guess it is an acquired taste.

A Chef's favorite, "Teddy Bear Toast," is easy to make at home, just ask your camper how. All you need is a slice of whole wheat toast, spread a little sunflower butter on it, add bananas and raisins to make a cute teddy bear face. Then eat him up! You can even sing the "Teddy Bear Picnic" song while you do it, but please finish chewing first. For dessert, children enjoyed some fresh yogurt and candy sprinkles.

We also used pancake mix to make warm waffles. Campers totally loved the choice of jam or honey as toppings. They also learned how to make freshly squeezed orange juice, which went down nicely with a variety of "Crazy Cracker Sandwiches," to include ingredient such as cheese, jam, raisin and sunflower butter.

Next week campers will be working on self-portrait photography and taking pictures of ice cream ingredients . In Chef's Camp, children will be making Sushi Sun Butter and Jelly Delights. Encinal campers will be going to the Cinema Grill to meet a real chef at the restaurant and take a tour of the kitchen there. We hope to also have a vegie & cheese lunch. Pacific students will be visited by a Sushi Chef on campus. They will learn how to make Sushi Rolls!

All campers will enjoy "Ants on a Log" and "Fruit Fridge in a Cup," as well as warm vegetable soup. Photographers will complete their camp by creating frames, printing their pictures and displaying their work on Friday at each campus for parents to enjoy. So don't forget to visit our galleries in the Cultural Room on Friday.

Thank you!

Dear Summer Parents,

We have decided to send our Enewsletter for all sessions to all of our Summer Parents so that parents of children enrolled in the current camp can see what their children are doing and parents of children enrolled in a different camp can get a good idea of what each of our camps has to offer. If you prefer to be removed from our list please email the Encinal office at thechildunique@yahoo.com.

If you would like to sign up for any of our camps, please visit our website and go to the "Rates & Calendar" Form page to download, fill out and return a copy of the "Summer Brochure." We look forward to a great summer!