Estate Ragazzi at the Vatican with Kerek and Pepe, discovering inclusion and friendship
“Tutt’Altro – Quando l’Altro è Tutto” (Something else all together – When the Other is Everything) is the theme of the sixth edition of the summer camp, Estate Ragazzi in the Vatican, which will resume on Monday, 16 June and run until Friday, 1 August. Promoted by the Governorate of Vatican City State, it is open to children of employees of the Governorate and of the Holy See.
During the summer camp, children will spend time in the Paul VI Hall, in the Saint Joseph Sporting Centre, and other well-equipped spaces, including a swimming pool. In addition to educational and recreational activities, the children will engage in sports and water games. This year, the unique experience will be further enhanced by the Jubilee, which will give children the opportunity to enjoy themselves as they explore new values.
Kerek is the name of the main character who will accompany the children. Kerek was born in the Citta Retta (City of Straight Lines) where everything is square-shaped and linear, and everything that is not, is banned. Because Kerek speaks clearly and roundly, he is banished from the city to the Forest, and begins a journey. He meets a wise man named Pepe, who is the Owner of the Forest. With his wisdom and experience, the elderly man guides Kerek on a discovery of diversity. The spices brought by foreigners, who had been exiled to the Forest with him, help him discover the beauty of variety, inclusion and friendship.
The children will be separated into age groups: 5-6 year olds (green), 7 to 8 year olds (yellow), 9 to 10 year olds (light blue) and 11 to 13 year olds (dark blue). In order to participate in the summer camp, children must have turned five by July, The children will be in the care of a team of professional educators and camp leaders, in cooperation with “Play It”, the “Tutto in una Festa” agency and the Salesian community. Fr. Franco Fontana of the Salesian community in the Vatican, is the Coordinator of the camp. There will be one leader for each group of 8 children in the 5-6 year old group and in the 7-8 year old group, one leader for every 10 children in the 9-10 year old group and one for every 14 children in the 11-13 year old group.
The camp will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday to Thursday, and from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Fridays.
The day’s activities will begin with group play from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., when a breakfast of freshly baked croissants will be served, followed by the singing of Estate Ragazzi’s anthem, prayers and the presentation of the day’s schedule. From 10 a.m., the children will engage in sports, have access to the swimming pool under the watchful eyes of camp leaders and participate in creative workshops. Lunch will be served between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. and will be followed by play time and small tournaments. After an hour of story time and educational activities beginning at 3:00 p.m., the children will play team games and set up shows. An ice cream snack will be served at 5:00 p.m. each afternoon. Activities will end at 6:00 p.m., except on Fridays when the camp will close at 2:00 p.m., after lunch.
For further information, please visit: www.estateragazzivaticano.it
or email: info@estateragazzivaticano.it