Embassy Activities (2009)
Cultural Camp brings the joy of Halloween and Thanksgiving
The biggest ever Thai-American Cultural Camp was held at Mahidol University, Kanchanaburi Campus, on October 27-28, 2009. The fourth “Get to Know Uncle Sam” two-day camp gave 60 students and teachers from 12 schools in Kanchanaburi, Supanburi, Ratchaburi and Nakhon Pathom a rare opportunity to engage in various interactive, educational activities aimed at promoting understanding of the English language, as well as U.S. society and culture. Assistant Press Attaché Cynthia Brown, Information Resource Officer Wendy Simmons and volunteer Thomas Meyer joined force with English Language Fellow Fidelia “Fuang” Twenge-Jinings and staff from the Cultural Affairs Office and Information Resource Center (IRC) of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok in guiding the students and teachers through fun and informative English language exercises and activities, beginning with a short costume plays to explain the origin of Thanksgiving Day and the Halloween activities, and a singing contest in which the students sang and danced to such popular American holiday-themed songs as “The Monster Mash,” “Over the River and Through the Woods,” and “Five Little Turkeys.”
In the afternoon, the information search session provided by the IRC staff that had participants discovering how to search for reliable and accurate information about the United States on the Internet.
In addition, the camp goers screened the documentary “Spellbound,” followed by a round of interesting and active discussion on the film that capped off with a hard-fought “Spelling Bee” competition, in which the students amazed the trainers with their exceptional spelling talent. The event was televised on the local NBT station that evening.
Participants also gained insight into study in the United States and student exchange programs through an informative briefing by Education USA specialist Preeyawan Sakornyen and three local AFS alumni, including the camp coordinator Dr. Singhanat “Kenny” Nomnian, Head of Mahidol University’s Department of Foreign Languages. In the evening, excited participants also learned how to cook (and eat!) true American BBQ, with potato chips and watermelon, and a longstanding American camp tradition, s’Mores! Rounding out the fun was an introduction to several educational board and card games such as Uno, Boggles, Scrabble, Chain Game, Monopoly, and Twister. There was even an after-meal pumpkin carving by Embassy campers who donned masks, capes and horns to keep up the spirit of Halloween night. A great time was had by all!
Check out all the fun in this photo gallery.