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Children's Enrichment Activities: Imaginary Vacations
Imaginary Vacations are intended to broaden children’s worldview and expose them to different cultures. All Imaginary Vacations have an educational component, in which children learn about the geography, economy and history of a country. Children also have the opportunity to sample a tasty dish from each country that is highlighted.
On July 29, 2008, the children at Avion Place Apartments had the opportunity to go on an Imaginary Vacation to Nicaragua. The activity was lead by Carla E. Aguilar, Development and Communications Manager for Merced Housing Texas, who had the opportunity to visit Nicaragua this summer through a St. Mary's University (StMU) Sustainable Human Development class. The trip was coordinated by the staff at the Center for Global Education at Augsburg College in conjunction with Dr. Larry Hufford, professor of International Relations at StMU. Dr. Hufford is also on the Merced Housing Texas Board of Directors.
The children participating in the Imaginary Vacation got to see pictures taken during the trip. The photos highlighted were ones of the old cathedral in Managua, which was partly destroyed during the 1972 earthquake, the Masaya Volcano, and pictures of the tropical rainforest at El Cebollal.
Children also participated in an arts and crafts activity, in which they painted their own pottery.
Nicaragua has many exceptional artisans including potters. A lot of the Nicaraguan pottery is made in the village of San Juan de Oriente, in Masaya, Nicaragua.
This activity allowed children to use their creativity and produce beautiful designs, while engaging in the everyday activities of Nicaraguan villagers who make pots for a living.
In the end, the children proudly showed off their artwork and left the community center knowing a little more about Nicaragua and the world.
In the past, children at the various multi-family properties have gone on Imaginary Vacations to: Spain, Italy, Canada, France, Italy and Germany.