This calls for a celebration!

Megan Brady, OFLA President 2024-2025
Spanish Teacher, Northwest High School

Did you know this is a big year for OFLA? We have so many things in store for you: a wonderful Fall Mini Conference, a new Leadership Academy, a Cohort series for building resilient learning environments, a specially themed spring conference, several other professional development options, and the celebration of Camp OFLA’s 20th anniversary! As many of us aren’t fully aware of what Camp OFLA is, I would like to take a moment to brag about this amazing opportunity we have in our own backyard!

For 20 years, our innovative overnight elementary language camp has been at the forefront of early language education, not only in Ohio, but across the United States. As it is the one of the only sleepover elementary language camps in the US, we have had an estimated 100+ campers from out of state (coming as far as Arizona, California, and Georgia!). This unparalleled program provides students with an immersive linguistic experience that lays the foundation for future academic and personal success. Extensive research demonstrates that early language acquisition enhances cognitive development, sharpens problem-solving skills, and cultivates cultural awareness – all critical competencies in our globally interconnected society. But camp doesn’t stop there! It also has touched language learners at all stages, from elementary campers (739), to middle school counselors-in-training (60+), to high school cabin leaders (130) , to new teachers (20+), and of course, our core experienced teachers (10) who keep camp up and running-and our director, Lori Winne, who has since retired as a public school teacher but still puts her heart and soul into making camp a success for 20 years now. This is truly our largest advocacy project, and something we should support and be proud of.

The sustained success of our camp is attributable to the exceptional dedication of our educators, who invest their time and expertise to create a dynamic and effective learning environment. Their commitment to nurturing young language learners is truly exemplary. As we look towards the future, we invite all World Language educators to collaborate with us in supporting and expanding this invaluable program. There are numerous ways to contribute meaningfully:

1. Promote the camp in your elementary schools by distributing flyers. Consider involving your high school language clubs or honor societies in this effort. For instance, our Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica chapter coordinates with elementary school secretaries to distribute flyers to students in grades 2-7.
2. Arrange for high school students to visit elementary classrooms for brief, engaging language demonstrations. Activities such as teaching simple songs (e.g., “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”) or basic vocabulary (colors, numbers, etc) can spark interest in language learning. Sharing camp photos and experiences can further enthuse young learners about the program. (And most teachers are willing to give up the last 10 minutes of their day when kids are squirrely anyway!)
3. Allocate a portion of your club budget or fundraiser to sponsor a “scholarship” for the camp. Implement an application process, allowing your high school students to review anonymized applications. This exercise not only supports camp attendance but also provides valuable lessons in assessment and the importance of clear communication at all educational levels. (For our SENIORS writing scholarships, what a meaningful experience to be on the other end of the scholarship process!)
4. Assist with fundraising initiatives to enable more students to participate in this transformative experience. Some additional sponsorship ideas include: a. Organize a “Language-a-thon” where students seek pledges for learning new vocabulary or practicing conversation skills. b. Host a multicultural fair or international food festival, with proceeds going towards camp sponsorships. c. Partner with local businesses for a percentage night, where a portion of sales goes to the camp fund. d. Create and sell a cookbook featuring recipes from various cultures represented in your language programs. e. Coordinate a silent auction of items donated by local businesses or handmade crafts from students. f. Implement a “Sponsor a Camper” program where community members or alumni can contribute towards a student’s camp fees. g. Organize a language-themed talent show or karaoke night with an entrance fee that goes towards the camp fund. h. Organize a Holiday Cookie Extravaganza where your club takes orders from the staff and then sells the cookies with a portion going to the Camp Scholarship Fund.
5. Leverage social media and school communication channels to raise awareness about the camp and its benefits. Share success stories, testimonials, and updates to generate interest and support.
6. Collaborate with other departments (e.g., Art, Music, Physical Education) to create interdisciplinary projects that highlight the camp’s activities and cultural aspects, further promoting its value.

By collaborating on these efforts, we can expand access to this amazing program and continue to strengthen the foundation of language learning in our nation. Your involvement is crucial in nurturing the next generation of multilingual, culturally competent individuals. Together, we can ensure that this unique opportunity remains accessible to all aspiring young language learners, and help generate interest in our language learning programs to keep learners in our classes across all languages and levels!As this year coincides with Camp OFLA’s 20th anniversary, we have been highlighting some camp themes throughout the year-you may have noticed the 1 day Camp Session for our learners in 3-8th grade at the Fall Mini conference. We will also see some new features at the annual spring conference-including a cooking option in Spanish, French, and a joint Chinese/Japanese session; as well as the International Market in place of our typical Presidential Reception. Be sure to save the date for April 3-5 at the Columbus State Community College for your chance to experience these fun events in addition to our wonderful array of sessions to help you finish the year strong! If you have any questions about camp, or want to talk about ideas to help promote camp, please reach out to either myself (pres2025@ofla-online.org) or the camp staff (campofla@gmail.com). We look forward to sharing a wonderful year with you!