Day 7 - Bye-bye. Keep in touch!

Although some of us stayed up throughout last night and this early morning,  most of us got at least a couple hours of sleep after we chose activities such as dancing, watching movies, hanging out with each other talking, singing around the campfire, playing beach volleyball, soccer, frisbee, billiards, or card games; and connecting with each other via social media accounts so we can stay in touch in the future. We are certain many of us have developed long-term friendships.   

After breakfast, the students presented the kitchen staff with a large and creatively designed poster to thank them for the superb meals they have made for us. The chefs changed their routine so we could have food-saving buffet lunches that reflect our value of not wasting resources and for those among us with special dietary needs due to religion, diets, or allergies. The students also made a thank you poster to the  hosts of Dvarčėnų dvaras.

Then, the students presented the tutors with another very creative poster thanking them. Each letter written on the poster contained the names of the tutors. 

Next, continuing with the theme of gratitude, the students wrote letters to Ambassador Hall describing what they learned at the camp and thanking the Embassy for supporting the camp.  

We expressed more gratitude to each other when we revealed the identities of our secret friends through a guessing game and gave them a small gift.

Finally, before lunch and loading our luggage onto the bus, we taped a piece of paper on each person’s back and walked around writing compliments, kind messages, and farewell greetings on each other's backs. These will be lasting mementos of the friendships we’ve forged, memories we’ve made, and lessons we’ve learned this week. We offer a HUGE and sincere thank you to all of the tutors, LAKMA, and especially to everyone at the US Embassy who participated in, organized, and supported this life-changing investment in our futures and our desires to live in countries where democratic values and human rights thrive.