The second day of the Values Camp started with a presentation of the tree of
knowledge where the students, after learning the theme of the day,
wrote their questions on a leaf and then placed it on the tree. The questions
included topics about democracy, languages, human rights, and general facts
about our three countries. By the end of the day, during the reflection period, the tutors ensured that all the questions had been answered and the students had filled
the tree with flowers on which they had written impressions of the day and
comments about new facts they had learned.
The students drew the name of their secret friend for whom they will write messages of friendship and give small lovely gifts during the week.
The tutors introduced the concept of democracy and highlighted the features of democratic and non-democratic countries,
and then the students engaged in an activity to determine which countries are
democratic and which are non-democratic, before identifying their locations on a world map. This was followed by a knowledge
quiz and jeopardy game, with a focus on our three countries - the USA, Poland and Lithuania. For both games, the winning teams received awards generously
donated by the US Embassy in Vilnius.
After lunch we gave a warm welcome to three speakers from the US Embassy in Vilnius. Mr. Andres Barcenas, Regional Security Officer, taught us about the American football and later brought out pigskins. After showing how to hold one correctly, he taught us how to pass, receive, punt, and make touchdowns. The soccer players among us were quickest to learn the skills.
Ms. Aleksandra Singer, Political/Economic Section Intern from
California, gave a presentation on myriad aspects of her home state, and then
Ms. Erica Cordatos, Regional Security Office Intern, spoke about New England,
where she lives and goes to college.
We posed for a group photo near the lovely lake of Suvingis with our
distinguished guests before dinner. The role of storytelling and legends in all
three countries was our next activity, capped by the students using their
creativity to workshop one of the legends. Most groups chose the legend of how the Polish coat of arms was created and how Poland was established, but the winning group was the one that created a modern tale of the
Lithuanian legend about the founding of the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, and were thrilled to receive logo water tumblers as prizes
from the US Embassy.
Due to the rain, we moved the campfire inside and into a small clay bowl
with a candle. The students began generating ideas for a camp flag that they will complete
and present in groups tomorrow morning.
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