Labas! Hello!
Another year has passed and it is time to register for Lankas 2013. I attended camp when it first started and am looking forward to now being the camp director. Our theme for camp this year is “Pasakos” or Folk Tales. We plan to have the campers learn traditional Lithuanian stories and perform skits, songs, and poems which will be a lot of fun.
This summer we hope to continue to grow our numbers—we welcome families with kids from babies to 16 years old, and hope to attract some new families this year from near and far. Campers do not need to be able to speak Lithuanian to have a great time at camp—nearly half of our campers don’t speak Lithuanian.
We’d also invite any community members that would like to help out with the camp--as teachers, life guards, counselors. And if you have an idea for a new activity, we’d especially like to hear from you.
· Welcoming & Inclusive, Attracting More Campers. It is our vision to welcome many new campers from across the Pacific Northwest to broaden the reach of what this Lithuanian Cultural Camp has to offer. With this, Lankas 2013 will have a strong focus on team building to help all campers bond with new friends to develop lifelong friendships and memories that will keep them coming back for years to come. We heartily welcome campers who have never been to Lankas before, as well as those who have attended in the past. We have reached out to potential campers in Oregon, Idaho, Canada, and all across Washington, and already know of many new families who plan to attend this year, and expect many more!
· Camp is Conducted in English. This year camp will be conducted entirely in English, and there is no requirement that campers speak Lithuanian. We expect that more than half of our campers will not speak Lithuanian, and many of our parents and counselors will not speak Lithuanian. Lankas is a Lithuanian Heritage camp, which will focus on Lithuanian culture, traditions, cuisine, games, sports, folklore, crafts, dancing, music, etc. Campers will learn some Lithuanian words as part of singing Lithuanian camp songs, as well as certain key words for camp locations (kitchen, pool, etc.), group names, etc.
· No Parent Required for Campers age 7+. We now welcome campers age 7 and older to attend Lankas without a parent staying with them. Rates are higher if you send your camper(s) solo, since we rely heavily on parents to volunteer at camp. However, we know that for some families, taking a week vacation from work just isn’t possible, so we hope this will allow more kids to join us this year. No matter how old your kids are, parents are encouraged to stay if possible, to help run the camp—kitchen, activities, etc. There is no fee for the first parent as a thank you for your help at camp.
· Young Adult Counselors. We have formed a great group of both male and female young adults who will be acting as counselors for the week, under the gracious direction of Tonya Floria. Each counselor will be responsible for a group of up to 10 kids.
· Camp Starts Sunday at 3:00pm. Please plan to arrive between 3:00-3:30pm so that there will be plenty of time to check in, find your room, unpack, and settle in before official camp activities begin at 5:00pm. Please do not arrive before 3:00pm—another camp is moving out just before us.
· Location. Lankas 2013 will be held at the same location in Shelton, WA at the West Coast Latvian Education Center known as “Kursa.” It’s a beautiful property that includes a large dining hall with a commercial kitchen, laundry room, library, classrooms, pottery shed, glass-walled chapel, boys & girls dormitories with bunk beds, swimming pool, soccer field, basketball court, sand volleyball court, campfire circle, wildlife pond, woodland amphitheater, forest trails, picnic tables, and lots of wide open spaces.
· Parents Run the Camp. Parents who attend will be expected to work—on a volunteer basis, of course. J Tasks include working in the kitchen, preparing and leading an activity, playing an instrument during dance classes, etc. Please see the attached sheet of available tasks. Let us know if you have a special talent, can play an instrument, or have an idea for a class or activity. Classes can be ½ hour or 1 hour in length and can be for all age groups or one age group. Call or email to discuss your thoughts.
· Sunday Potluck Dinner. A potluck dinner will be held on Sunday at 5pm in the dining hall. Please bring a dish to share for a hearty meal—camp makes everyone hungry! Drop off your potluck dish in the kitchen when you arrive so that it can go into the refrigerator if needed. All are invited to join for Sunday dinner, including parents who do not plan to stay for the week. After dinner we will officially start camp with a “Getting to Know You” evening program.
· Friday Night Performance. The camp officially finishes at Friday’s closing ceremony and children’s performance. The children’s performance marks the beginning of a community gathering for the rest of the evening. Parents who are sending their children solo to camp this year are expected to come watch their children perform on Friday night, and are welcome to stay overnight at the camp afterwards. Please plan to bring air mattresses, a camper, or a tent if possible, because the camp grows exponentially that evening and space will be tight. Some beds may be available, depending on camp enrollment. Hotel accommodations in the area are also available if desired. We will work with you to make a plan.
· Everyone Helps Cleanup on Saturday. Cleanup will be held on Saturday morning, and typically finishes by noon. All campers and parents are expected to stay for the clean-up, even parents who did not stay at camp need to help clean on Saturday morning! A separate cleaning deposit check for $100 per family is required with your registration, and will be returned to you on Saturday after cleaning is finished. You will lose your cleaning deposit if you do not stay to help clean up.
Several documents are needed to register for Lankas. Please make sure you read and fill it all out.
1. Camp Fees & Cleaning Deposit
2. Registration Form
3. Parent Task Signup Form (if a parent is staying at camp)
4. Camp Rules – one for each child, signed by child
5. Hold Harmless Agreement – one for each adult/parent, including Friday night participants
6. Insurance & Authorization Form – one for each child, signed by parent
7. Health History Form – one for each child, signed by parent
8. Photocopies of insurance cards for EVERYONE staying at camp, including adults
These are for your information and don’t need to be returned to us.
· Arrival Instructions & Packing Checklist
· Map & Directions
· Lankas Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any other questions not answered here, don’t hesitate to contact the Lankas 2013 Camp Director:
1
Julija Rankis Heine
206-334-3044
Camp Fees
If a Parent Attends Camp / If a Parent Does NOT Attend Camp1st, 2nd Child (age 4-17) / $150/child ($175 after May 31) / $250/child ($275 after May 31)
3rd, 4th, 5th Child (age 4-17) / $100/child ($125 after May 31) / $275/child ($300 after May 31)
Children Age 3 and Younger / FREE
1st Parent/Adult in Family / FREE (Thanks for helping!)
Additional Adult(s) in Family / $150/adult ($175 after May 31)
Friday Night Only / $25/person / $25/person
Cleaning Deposit / $100/family / $100/family
Camp fees cover room, meals, activities, materials for the duration of camp. We are able to keep fees low because parents and counselors volunteer their time to run the camp, as well as a generous grant from the Lietuviu Fondas Foundation.
Please register by May 31 for lowest fees, and no later than July 12. Note the strict deadlines for registration and full camp fees. We need to know how many people are coming in advance in order to plan out the age groups, food, activities, materials, etc. After July 12, registration will only be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Camp scholarships are available. Please e-mail briefly explaining your situation, and we’ll work something out. We want all kids to be able to come to camp regardless of financial situation.
Please write TWO CHECKS, both payable to “Seattle LAC”:
1. One check for $100 for the cleaning deposit. You will get this check back if you stay to clean on Saturday morning. There will be a sign-up sheet for clean-up duties posted on the main bulletin board in the Hall. Sign up early to get the best tasks!
2. Another check for the full camp fees for all campers who will attend camp.
Send TWO checks and all completed forms (registration, parent jobs signup, adult consent form for parents, plus signed camp rules & health forms for everyone, including photocopies of insurance cards) to:
Lankas Camp
c/o Julija Heine
10421 59th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98178
Please email me if you have questions:
Registration Form
Family Information
Mother’s Name:______
Father’s Name:______
Street Address:______
City:______State: ______Zip/Postal Code: ______
Home Phone:______
Email Address:______
Mother’s Work Phone:______Mother’s Cell Phone:______
Father’s Work Phone:______Father’s Cell Phone:______
How did you hear about Lankas? ______
Parent staying to help? o No o Yes – Name: ______
T-Shirt Size: Adult S Adult M Adult L Adult XL Adult XXL
Staying all week? Sun 3pm – Sat noon o Yes o No – Explain:______
Anyone else coming to stay overnight on Friday? Do you need help with sleeping accommodations?
______
First Child
Full Name:______Nickname:______
Birthdate (month/day/year):______Age at Camp:______
o New Camper o Returning Camper – Most recent summer at Lankas (year)?______
1-2 Friends You’d Like to Room With:______
T-Shirt Size: Youth XS Youth S Youth M Youth L Adult S Adult M Adult L
Second Child
Full Name:______Nickname:______
Birthdate (month/day/year):______Age at Camp:______
o New Camper o Returning Camper – Most recent summer at Lankas (year)?______
1-2 Friends You’d Like to Room With:______
T-Shirt Size: Youth XS Youth S Youth M Youth L Adult S Adult M Adult L
Third Child
Full Name:______Nickname:______
Birthdate (month/day/year):______Age at Camp:______
o New Camper o Returning Camper – Most recent summer at Lankas (year)?______
1-2 Friends You’d Like to Room With:______
T-Shirt Size: Youth XS Youth S Youth M Youth L Adult S Adult M Adult L
Fourth Child
Full Name:______Nickname:______
Birthdate (month/day/year):______Age at Camp:______
o New Camper o Returning Camper – Most recent summer at Lankas (year)?______
1-2 Friends You’d Like to Room With:______
T-Shirt Size: Youth XS Youth S Youth M Youth L Adult S Adult M Adult L
Parent Tasks Signup
All parents who stay at camp must volunteer for tasks throughout the week.
This is a volunteer-run camp—everyone must help! Please sign your name next to tasks that interest you. If you don't sign up for tasks, we will assign them to you. Sign up early for the best choices!
Many tasks require preparation work before camp--to plan a project, buy materials, or bring tools or supplies. You will have a budget, and your purchases will be reimbursed after camp. Be sure to bring your receipts to camp!
In addition to the tasks that you will be in charge of, you will be expected to help out and assist others as needed.
Not all activities will happen if people don't sign up who have ideas or interest in making them happen.
ADMINISTRATIONCamp Director(s) / Julija Heine
Lead Counselor / Tonya Floria
PARENT Counselor for ages 0-6
PARENT Counselor for ages 7-8-9 BOYS
PARENT Counselor for ages 7-8-9 GIRLS
(Counselors for ages 7+ will be YOUNG ADULTS, not parents)
Check-in & registration (must arrive by 2:45pm Sunday)
Update camp website / Ausra Jonikiene
Design & create end-of-camp awards for all kids
Plan out the schedule of activities, coordinate with activity leaders
Create new dainorelis (song book), make & bring copies to camp / Austina DeBonte, Danute Musteikis
KITCHEN - Jurate Audejaitiene, Rima Kulikauskas, Ausra Vastakas, Ingrida
Menu Planning, Ordering & Buying Food / Filled
Head Cook (Breakfast & Snacks) / Filled
Assistant Cook (Breakfast & Snacks) / Filled
Head Cook (Lunch & Dinner) / Filled
Assistant Cook (Lunch & Dinner) / Filled
Kitchen Help (Prep/Cook/Serve/Clean) / EVERYONE will help with meals on a rotating schedule
SPORTS - Sport classes should be taught for all age groups
Volleyball (Bring net, balls, teach class)
Basketball (Bring balls, teach class)
Soccer (Bring balls, teach class)
Kvadratas/Dodgeball (Bring FOAM balls, teach class)
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES - Activities should be planned for all age groups, unless specified
Folk Dancing - ages 7-10 (Bring music, teach classes) / Austina
Folk Dancing - ages 10+ (Bring music, teach classes)
Singing (plan music, teach classes)
Accordionist (accompany singing, dancing, evening programs)
History/Geography class - ages 7+ / Irena Blekys
Grybai/Mushroom activity (plan activity, teach classes)
Lithuanian Cooking (plan menu, teach classes) / Ausra Vastakas
Folk Tale Poetry / Danute Musteikis
ARTS & CRAFTS - Activities should be planned or modified for all age groups, unless specified
Tshirts (design & buy shirts, buy materials, teach class) / Jurate Audejaitiene
Lifeguard (must have certification)
Giant Mural (plan theme, buy materials, teach class)
Clay/Pottery (buy materials, must know how to use kiln) / Neris Palunus
Glassworks (buy tools, wood, teach class) - ages 7+ / Raminta Hanzelka
OTHER ACTIVITIES - Activities should be planned or modified for all age groups, unless specified
Nature awareness & appreciation / Vaiva Palunus
Cooperative storytelling games
Other ideas?
ALL-CAMP AFTERNOON GAMES - Every afternoon we'll have an all-camp game (and a counselor meeting at the same time)
All-camp Capture-the-Flag
All-camp Treasure hunt or scavenger hunt
All-camp Counselor hunt
All-camp Soccer (or other sport?)
All-camp Smugglers & spies game (could be knygnesiai)
Another idea for an all-camp game/activity?
EVENING PROGRAMS - Be in charge of the entire evening program for the whole camp
Sunday: "Getting to Know You" Games / Ona and Julie
Monday: Team Contests (TP dress-up, tin foil creation, relays, etc.) / Ona and Julie
Tuesday: Polka Party (folk dancing for fun, group games)
Wednesday: On-the-Spot Skits (slips of paper, bring costumes)
Thursday: Lauzas/Bonfire (build campfire, lead songs)
Thursday night special program: Outdoor overnight!!!
Friday: Performance (coordinate & MC the performance)
Elective Activities - All kids age 7+ will choose ONE elective activity they will do every day of the week as a more sustained project
Create a camp newspaper/video/slideshow to show Friday
Drama - kids create, rehearse & perform a play on Friday
Nature - some kind of nature project?
Other ideas for a week-long elective activity/project?
OTHER IDEAS - What other ideas do you have for great camp activities this year? Can you lead this activity?
Arrival
Arrive on Sunday, August 11th between 3:00-3:30pm.