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June 30, 2012

Learning language and culture at Camp Cherokee

Staff Writer Ted King

The Cherokee Nation is hosting day-camps this summer for Cherokee children throughout northeastern Oklahoma.

The Nation held one of those camps, called Camp Cherokee, at Rogers State University’s Ledbetter Hall. Several hundred Cherokee children from first to seventh grade attended the camp that has an emphasis on science and technology as well as Cherokee history and culture. The emphasis is on Stem 1 and 2. Stem 1 is science, technology and engineering. Stem 2 is academic and cultural.

Bill Andoe, Director of Arts and Culture for the Cherokee Nation, said the purpose of the camp is “Helping them be successful in life.” The camp is five days in duration and goes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Cherokee language is integrated into the lessons by introducing Cherokee words. Camp Cherokee has lessons on basic financial education and environmental studies. One of the environmental studies concerns the relationship between grasslands and forested areas and diversity of animal and plant species.  In addition to introducing the Cherokee language, the children learn basket weaving and the game of stick ball.

Google is volunteering at Camp Cherokee. Dave Barr with Google volunteered at Claremore. Barr said, “Google encourages us to go out and volunteer to make a difference.”  

Earl Gonzales, the lead camp counselor at Camp Cherokee, said that “Camp this week has been better for having them [Google] here.”

“We strive for this to be a nurturing environment. Google picked up on that right away,” Andoe said.

In a side note to Camp Cherokee, Andoe said with technology, now is a great time to learn the Cherokee language. He showed his Apple I-phone that has an application for the Cherokee alphabet. Andoe said the Cherokee Nation is responsible to the application. He added that the Nation did not have to pay for the application being added on the I-phone.

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