Campamento 2026

It is impossible to share everything that happens at camp—you have to come yourself to get everything. Here are some things that happened on Saturday, our unstructured day.

When we took a similar picture last year, we were told this was our only chance – it would be fenced off by next year. But, it’s still open for pictures! So, here we are. With the new highway and tight expectations of “whole group” photos only, this only took about 40 minutes – round trip!

Keeping our eyes open in the bright sun was really hard! But worth it!

A parishioner generously donated this automatic, secure gate – a big improvement! Watchie just has to click a remote now.

Watchie (José Luis) and Job — each employee is a special person here, too. They treat the girls and each other kindly. If this were a video, you’d hear the friendly ribbing.

We toured the property – Sister Fifi has turned this into a productive farm where the girls help out and benefit from locally grown. The home’s flock of ducks

A banana flower

The bunnies are pets and provide meat. These are the girls’ favorites.

How to harvest a mango

Boom chicka boom – Coconut tree

The tour group with guides was in front of the big chicken coop—the small one was next to the ducks.

Soursop tree – very healthy! Farm to table – every day the cook would come out here and fill her shirt with fresh fruit for all of us😋

Kathy with plantains

Kathy and Jeane with limes

Papaya tree

Beads continued on Saturday. The big girls helped the littles get started. And everyone got their own bead case this year!

Some took the time to sort their bags before making a bracelet. Thank you to the cutting and kitting night volunteers who helped make this activity run smoothly.

A first for Campamento! One of the girls’ fathers donated a goat to Campamento! So, here it is… Sister Fifi, the GOAT, cooking the goat for our final big meal together this year. It was delicious!

Sara with the prepared goat. Like past teen travelers, Sara is so special. She was patient, kind, and open throughout the week. She stepped up and led the English station and the girls loved it! Gracias Sara!!

Two girls enjoying their goat – it’s starting to get sad as we realize camp is winding down.

Best-dressed dishwasher – everyone pitches in at camp!

Saturday night Mass before we take off early tomorrow morning.

An Azua Walk of Fame is now in front of the church. This used to be a dirt walkway where we saw boys playing baseball with balls made of rolled-up socks and stick bats. The big screen is showing a live Padres/Braves game. Azua has changed over the years!

Final Evening Circle – the girls loved their gift bags.

The oldest girls did a beautiful dance to celebrate the week.

Then, we all danced! I was too busy dancing to get a picture of the full dance floor 💃

Some would rather jump rope

It was a fun party!

Thank you for reading. Contact me to learn more.

Ann

Today was our last day of camp – but we did the stations in the afternoon because we went on a community visit in the morning.

We visited two families who were home and stopped by to see two who weren’t. Challenges of being poor, agricultural people we saw were – homes without water or electricity, kids playing in irrigation ditches, the long, hot, dusty walk kids would have to take to get to school – without a breakfast. It’s hard to imagine the poverty that these girls come from.

The first family we visited has a very nice father with 4 kids and at least one grandson living at home. Sadly, the father was in a motorcycle accident recently. He’s all scraped up, and he’s resting his leg to reduce the swelling so he can be ready for knee surgery. His (grown) kids are taking good care of him, though. Two of the daughters used to live at the home but not now. One graduated with the others last Sunday. The other, who just finished 8th grade, is also an excellent student and will start high school this fall.

The next visit was with was a very nice mom whose husband died. Two of her daughters live at the home. Sister told us that she’s a hard worker – we thought she was bright and fun to talk with.

We’re not sharing pictures from the home visits, but I’ve learned over the years that some of these families are very loving but financially on the brink. When an accident or death happens, it is even harder for the parents to care for their children. High school graduates, and even better, college graduates, can make enough money to take care of themselves and their families. Preparing the girls for university is one of the Hogar’s academic goals. We’ve seen many university grads over the years. The Sisters are great at getting scholarships for the girls.

After the home visits – and a stop at the coffee processing plant, we came home and got a tour of the girls’ rooms. Each bed is made, often with stuffed animals. The highlight was the closets!

Girls showing off their neat closets 🙂

Cindy and Elsa are part of the team who keep the girls healthy and organized! Buen trabajo amigas!

New bikes!

Pictures from evening circle time

Thank you for reading and supporting the home and campamento!

Our third day of ‘regular’ camp activities – like Ordinary Time for Catholics, it’s comforting to be in a routine. Although each girl is unique, most are showing progress in math, English, and the other activities.

Stations today

Not many camp activity pictures today – we did take an individual picture of each girl for their frames (see yesterday).

We had three great visitors who make us believe we’re supporting an effective program through camp:

• Fernanda and her boyfriend came for a visit. She’s studying information sciences. Her boyfriend is studying tourism and is working at a resort this summer. They brought sugar cane and helped me prep a craft while we visited.

• Gizelle and Alondra also stopped by together. Gizelle is studying agriculture on a scholarship at the university in Azua and is living with her grandmother, which is a win-win. Alondra is studying education and plans to be an elementary school teacher!

All three girls looked healthy and happy. Sorry, didn’t get good pictures, though.

At the end of the day, at circle time, we got to see the skits and reflected on the day. Finally, we prayed for various people who’ve supported campamento and the home:

• Reverend Richard Jacobsen who introduced the Hogar to St. Edward’s after he donated a well for them.
• The anonymous donors who recently donated a reverse-osmosis filtration system, so we get potable water from that well.
• The anonymous donor who donated an automated, secure gate for the property.
• The young professionals who led the airport tour.

Thank you for reading and your support!

Today was our second day of regular camp activities of reflection, English, and math. We learned about Salome, the original helicopter mom, today. We’ve also been learning the theme song of the week “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars. Loud thunder woke us up from our siestas, just in time for the craft – picture frames!

The older girls continued to learn another concept around negotiation. Yesterday the main message was that negotiation is not a competition. Today it was to know your interests (or your why?) and listen to the other person’s, so you can work together to build a win-win solution. The section started with two people wanting the last available lemon. How would you negotiate that situation to achieve a win-win?

Some of the girls with their frames. They used washi tape, stickers, and sharpies.

Sister Fifi sang with her guitar, which is always a treat. The Sisters are so loving to these girls. They really serve as the ‘hands and feet’ of Jesus to the poorest girls. You can tell see the growth in the girls who’ve been at the home for a while. I will post about the graduation and graduates soon.

Thank you for reading! We’ll have more for you tomorrow si Dios quiere!

Today was our first “normal” day of camp” breakfast, circle time, stations, a craft, lunch, rest/siesta, and free play time. The littlest girls and some of the oldest girls also prepared their skits. Getting into a routine felt great!

Juana has been an excellent cook for the last few years. Early this morning, I could see her out in the orchard picking fruit for the day. Soursop is one of my favorites!! Thank you for the delicious variety of food you feed us at Campamento!

Sara teaching a group who are learning the English phrases “I want” and “I have”

Mary teaches a negotiation class to the oldest girls. Now, we’re learning that negotiation is not a competition. Your results are better when you cooperate for a win-win.

In the reflection station, the girls reflect on the Bible story that features our “woman of faith.” Today, it was Hannah, the mother of Samuel. The girls, especially the youngest ones, typically talk and share more while coloring pictures of the woman we’re learning about.

Since the beginning, the Sisters have asked that the girls get math enrichment. The Dominican Republic has standardized tests on subjects, including math. In the past, many have been held back because of math. It’s better now, thanks to tutors and extra work in math.

Lunch is the big meal of the day! The girls get 3 healthy meals and two snacks every day.

New this year—potable water! Sister Fifi showed me their reverse-osmosis system that provides more water for much less money (and time!). Two generous St. Ed’s parishioners donated the funds.

We are all so thankful.

This was a calm carousel session at the playground Father Mike Tegeder donated – it can get wild!

Ready for evening circle time!

Dressed for the Hannah skit!

The youngest girls performed the first skit of Campamento – all but one were new to camp. Jeane and one of the oldest girls worked a miracle – a good performance with some spirited highlights.

As part of the negotiation class, the older girls performed a skit to show how they can use negotiation to solve everyday problems. This problem was drinking too much.

The cast – which included an entire disco scene with a DJ and dancers, the sister, and even a doctor to help the main character understand her situation better.

Time to reflect on today and yesterday. We’re getting tired!!

Thank you for reading this! And thank you for all your support!!

For our field trip this year, we had a full tour of the Santo Domingo International Airport. It was a long day – we left the home in the dark, and we got home in the dark. To say this was a unique and complete tour would be an understatement. They only do 10 or so tours per year. The guides had full-time professional jobs in the airport, and giving tours to groups like ours is their community service. They were so knowledgeable, patient and kind with our group. It was uplifting to see these young future-leaders. We can’t thank them enough. Pictures will tell the story…

Starting out, with our matching t-shirts and credentials

Waiting to go through security after the check-in counter

Shuttle ride on the tarmac

Once the alarm sounded, these two go dressed in less than 2 minutes for us!

How fast can the girls be ready? (jacket and helmet only)

Group in front of a firetruck and behind a fireman still wearing his protective gear. It was hot!!

The littlest girls watching a plane from the shuttle.

Boarding the plane – surprise!

Front row, first class on a brand-new plane which was just delivered – has not been used in a commercial flight. It even had that rare “new plane” smell!

Almost every girl got to go into the cockpit and ask questions and get a photo

Knowledgeable and patient guide!!

Thank you Arajet!!

Katerin,  who was a “little” girl at the first campamento. We are so proud of her!!

Final thoughts in the baggage claim area after an airline snack and more Q&A

Thank you for reading!!