JULY 16, 2021, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A17
Bonjour: French camp
comes to McNary
BY MATT RAWLINGS
Of the Keizertimes
Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit,
West Salem High School French teacher
Christy Beckstrom had hosted a French
Language and Culture camp every sum-
mer at the school for more than a decade.
After going through a hiatus last
year, Beckstrom brought her camp to
McNary High School for this summer,
teaching K-8 students from across the
district about French language, history
and culture.
“With construction happening at
West, I didn’t thing we were going to
be able to do it this this year, which was
sad because we missed it last year due to
COVID. So when this opportunity came
up, I was really excited to be a part of the
summer programs,” Beckstrom said.
The French Language and Culture
Camp is one of more than a dozen camps
being featured at McNary this summer
— each camp is capped between 25-30
students. The camp wrapped their fi rst
two-week session on Friday, July 9 and is
currently in its second session.
Campers have gotten the opportunity
to learn about basic French vocabulary,
through numbers, colors, animals, days
of the week, and months of the year.
They also learn about culture and his-
tory through crafts, games, songs and
cooking.
Beckstrom also has nearly to a dozen
of her high school students volunteering
at the camp.
“They are learning too. They learn
how to make French recipes with the
kids and it helps them practice their
vocabulary and learn songs, things we
don’t have time to do in the classroom,”
Beckstrom said.
In the kitchen, campers have gotten
instructions on how to cook a number
of French dishes, such as crepes, cream
puff s and fondue.
A
A: Cordelius Stinson. B: Levi Black. C: Char-
lotte Potter. Photo by MATT RAWLINGS of Keizertimes
“I love the fact that we are able to
cook diff erent things and then eat them,”
Whiteaker seventh grader Charlotte
Potter said. “My favorite was the crepes.”
Along with vocabulary and cooking,
students have received the chance to
build catapults and learn the sport of
fencing by making swords and shields
made out of foam.
“I think it’s important for them to
understand the culture. It is not just lan-
guage,” Beckstrom said. “We try to keep
them busy.”
“I just love coming here to learn,”
added Cornelius Stinson, who is going to
be a freshman at Sprague High School. “I
really enjoy learning the culture, the his-
tory and the language.”
On the last day of camp for the fi rst
session, students created their own
Ariane bottle rockets and got the oppor-
tunity to launch them in the courtyard
later that afternoon.
Beckstrom believes that this camp is
not only useful to help teach students
about a diff erent culture, but also to help
of the Week
presented by
B
C
SHAWN LAPOF
Where and how
do you volunteer?
them prepare for a non-socially distanced
school year.
“This year, I think it is really benefi -
cial because the kids are getting practice
on what it is like to be in school again,”
Beckstrom said. “They are in table
groups and working quietly and doing
team activities. I think we are seeing
their social skills are building back up.
It gives them a great base for starting
school strong next year.”
brainfood ANSWERS
"The majority of my volunteerism
is with Keizer’s Chamber of
Commerce. Sometimes in
coordination with the city. But it’s
always to help perform one of the
many events or traditions that
make Keizer so great! With some
of the greatest people I’ve ever
known too! I volunteer with Keizer
Fire Department’s Foundation
board to help raise funds for
the Keizer Fire Department
and community programs. I
also volunteer with RockWest
Training, a non-profi t organization
helping developmentally disabled
individuals grow their skills and
reach their potential."
What does volunteering
do for you?
"Volunteering helps me stay
connected to our community.
Allows me to express true thanks
to those who have done for me.
And is one of the most eff ective
ways I am reminded that there is
always something to be thankful
for, no matter what."
How would you get
others to volunteer
in their community?
sudoku
crossword
"From what I have experienced,
example is the best recruiter of
volunteerism anywhere. When
others actually see by example
what can be done, what can be
gained, what problems can be
solved, others will fl ock to the
cause with time and resources.
This is how my roles developed."