ExploreAsia Camps' Fourth Year Builds Citizens for the Future
HOUSTON, August 4, 2016—Asia Society Texas Center celebrated its fourth year of ExploreAsia: Culture Camp for Kids with record attendance and three distinct sessions covering marketing, performing arts, and social issues. Over 70 campers participated in June and July, learning about topics such as artistic symbolism in Australia, landscape variety in the Himalayas, and environmental challenges in the Asia-Pacific region. The respective themes for the three sessions were Trekking Across Asia: Exploring the Continent’s Natural and Constructed Wonders, The Many Faces of Asia: Exploring the Continent’s Cultural Diversity, and Be the Change: Exploring Culture through Children’s Connections.
Asia Society’s summer camps are unique—they highlight Asia’s role as a global player in the arts, society, and international cooperation on social issues. Parents noted, “Asia Society provides camps which no one else can offer and they are well organized,” and “We love what you are doing here [at Asia Society] and how you advance our children’s understanding of the world.”
Campers learned about Asia’s diversity and distinct cultures through hands-on projects, presentations, and a week-long project each session. The first week focused on product development and marketing, culminating with campers selling their creations in a mock air market. The second week included engaging art projects including Aboriginal dot painting and Chinese dragon banners, many of which were props in the Friday performance. Campers got to dazzle on the big stage as they performed an adaptation of Yeh Shen, a classic tale from Asia often referred to as the Chinese Cinderella. The final week shed light on challenges in Asia, including discrimination, poverty, and threats to children’s safety. Projects and discussion filled the week, which concluded in camper presentations on philanthropic leaders and social activists in Asia.
ExploreAsia camps seek to advance young learners' understanding of the world through fun, interactive, and meaningful activities. Dates for 2017 camps will be posted soon; please visit AsiaSociety.org/Texas for updates. Special thanks to Vehishta Kaikobad,Nida Alavi, Dan Gordon, Alliance for Multicultural Community Services, Houston Food Bank, Las Américas Newcomer School, and SEWA International.