I recently got an email from Shelby Davison of Compass USA, asking that I forward her request to our members. I have not worked with Compass USA and The Little Gym does not endorse their organization. If you're interested in learning more, please contact Annette (Clackamas) at 503.481.4125, Becky (Clackamas) at 360.892.4212, or Lana (Oregon City) at 503.709.6108. The Compass USA website can be seen at: http://www.compass-usa.net/.
Compass USA is an organization that facilitates home-stays for American and International students to further the growth of international understanding. They currently have a group of 25 Okinawan high school boys and girls coming to Clackamas and Oregon City July 21-August 18 and are looking for host families who would be willing to open their hearts and homes to these students.
From Shelby:
"This is a rewarding opportunity for families of all ages to have an international experience without even leaving home. Many of the families that have participated in this program have developed life long friendships with their students and have even visited their students in Japan."
"From July 21st to August 18th, Oregon City and Clackamas will play host to nearly 25 Okinawan students eager to improve their English and learn about American culture. This group of young girls and boys (ages 13-17) will spend their four weeks in the Oregon City and Clackamas area both participating in academic classes and enjoying weekday field trips around the community, including excursions to the Oregon Coast, Fort Vancouver, Seattle for a Mariners game, and the Columbia River."
"What makes this stay truly special for the students is the opportunity to live with a local family. Host families throughout the community open their homes to these international visitors, and by doing so open themselves up to a singularly enlightening cultural experience. While the Japanese students get a chance to learn about life in an American family, their host families are given a similarly special chance to learn more about life in Okinawa."
"This cultural exchange is a life-changing opportunity for everyone involved. If you’re interested in hosting a bright and inquisitive student from Okinawa, please contact Annette (Clackamas) at 503.481.4125, Becky (Clackamas) at 360.892.4212, or Lana (Oregon City) at 503.709.6108."
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Winter/Spring 2010 Show Week
We're about half-way through our end-of-year Show Week. It's a very emotional time for us at The Little Gym. I am *always* impressed with the performance of the children doing their routines in front of a large audience of parents. Here's some of the neat things that have happened so far this week:
Our Monday classes always impress me with how well they do, even though they miss one practice due to Memorial Day coming a few weeks before Show Week. Even our 3 year old Funny Bugs did amazing with only one class prior in which they practiced the full routine. (Two weeks ago was Memorial Day, and prior to that we had been working on just parts of the routines in class.)
On Tuesday, one of our Hot Shots (6-12 year old boys), did his pull-over on the bars for the very first time by himself, *and* in front of his family. He had been coming to classes here for about 2.5 years now. I wish we had a video of the progress he's made since he started here. His self-esteem has skyrocketed as he's been able to master skills recently.
Also on Tuesday, two parents realized they had a special bond. They realized that they had both adopted their children from the same children's home in Guatemala. They had been attending the same class for about 10+ weeks before realizing they had that connection. That was probably one of the most interesting connections The Little Gym has ever facilitated.
Today, one of our 5 year olds who has been coming since she was 2, finally felt comfortable standing up and performing her gymnastics routines in front of an audience. For the last several years, she would skip the performance part of Show Week, preferring to sit with her parents. Today she decided to do them, performed all three routines, and performed a few "future skills" (advanced skills done with a heavy spot) too!
My favorite part was seeing my 5 year old son doing his cartwheels over and over during the group activity on Monday. He's been coming for 4 years and has always been a little bit of a goofball, preferring to goof around with his friends versus really focusing on learning skills. But over the years, he's been slowly (stealthily) building up strength and the coordination to do these skills. I love it that I can feel parental pride for my own son at The Little Gym too! We love all of the kids and love seeing their growth year over year. This is such a great job! :-)
Our Monday classes always impress me with how well they do, even though they miss one practice due to Memorial Day coming a few weeks before Show Week. Even our 3 year old Funny Bugs did amazing with only one class prior in which they practiced the full routine. (Two weeks ago was Memorial Day, and prior to that we had been working on just parts of the routines in class.)
On Tuesday, one of our Hot Shots (6-12 year old boys), did his pull-over on the bars for the very first time by himself, *and* in front of his family. He had been coming to classes here for about 2.5 years now. I wish we had a video of the progress he's made since he started here. His self-esteem has skyrocketed as he's been able to master skills recently.
Also on Tuesday, two parents realized they had a special bond. They realized that they had both adopted their children from the same children's home in Guatemala. They had been attending the same class for about 10+ weeks before realizing they had that connection. That was probably one of the most interesting connections The Little Gym has ever facilitated.
Today, one of our 5 year olds who has been coming since she was 2, finally felt comfortable standing up and performing her gymnastics routines in front of an audience. For the last several years, she would skip the performance part of Show Week, preferring to sit with her parents. Today she decided to do them, performed all three routines, and performed a few "future skills" (advanced skills done with a heavy spot) too!
My favorite part was seeing my 5 year old son doing his cartwheels over and over during the group activity on Monday. He's been coming for 4 years and has always been a little bit of a goofball, preferring to goof around with his friends versus really focusing on learning skills. But over the years, he's been slowly (stealthily) building up strength and the coordination to do these skills. I love it that I can feel parental pride for my own son at The Little Gym too! We love all of the kids and love seeing their growth year over year. This is such a great job! :-)
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