As a recent high school graduate, I wanted to have a unique summer experience before college starts in the fall. I've always loved the spanish language and Latin American culture and through Chop Point Camp, where I was a camper for 5 years, the opportunity to come to Nicaragua arose. It was the perfect opportunity to serve God as well as practice my Spanish, and work with kids.
Although working with the “ninos” at the weekend camps was a blast, the thing that stood out to me most about my time in Nicaragua was experiencing and learning about the culture. Kids from the United States and the kids from Nicaragua live with very different standards. When the Nicaraguan children were at camp they seemed like children in the United States: energetic, talkative, and full of laughter. After camp ended we were given the opportunity to visit their villages. We saw one of the eight year old girls from camp feeding the cows and helping her family work and earn a living. Many eight year old girls in the United States spend their days playing with Barbies and watching Hannah Montana. The amount of responsibility given at such a young age in Nicaragua is incredible.
Also in the village, we saw some of the kids' houses, and it was eye-opening for me because I didn't realize how much I take for granted in the United States. However, even though many people in Nicaragua do not have modern conveniences like ovens or running water, they still are so grateful for what they do have. There is a sense of community in Nicaragua that is hard to find in the United States.
After being in Nicaragua three weeks, I learned a lot about both the culture of Nicaragua and more about the culture of the United States. I would definitely recommend coming to Campo Alegria because the relationships you make with locals may give you a new perspective on your life and the lives of others. It was a unique, fun, and rewarding decision to spend three weeks of my summer in Nicaragua.
