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Experience the Greek village life

One of the few things children look forward to during their summer vacation is attending a summer camp. Our unique immersion summer camp “Our Greek Village” is a place where children meet together, to experience the Greek village life, and learn the process of give and take.

Let your child experience the Greek Culture and Language in a fun, creative and engaging week-camp environment at Saint Nicholas Ranch (“The Ranch”, as the locals call it, is an ideal place where rolling hills, ancient oaks, a small lake, an apple orchard and an olive grove provide gorgeous natural surroundings).

At “Our Greek Village” summer camp, through language immersion for the beginning and intermediate/advance Greek student, we’ll venture into theatre games, enjoy music, learn basic Greek dance steps, have fun with simple cooking, and explore geography and Greek mythology. Kids will enjoy a relaxed, yet energetic approach to learning the Greek language with emphasis on cultural and conversational activities rather than traditional classroom work. With diverse and age-appropriate activities, students will learn and practice speaking Greek, gain a greater appreciation of Greek heritage and culture under the direction of our experienced teachers and assistants.

Some of the activities include

The “Greek Village” camp works on a daily schedule to give each camper equal opportunity to experience our huge variety of activities. Each day will consist of morning, afternoon and evening rotation activities with the whole camp or by cabin. We end each day with a campfire program, where campers and staff enjoy an evening full of fun and everlasting memories. No day at our camp is typical or the same, however each camper will have the opportunity to try many different activities.

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Arts & Crafts

Just arrive with a desire to learn bring your creativity, too (everyone has some!) – and leave with a fabulous necklace, bracelet, or key chain mosaic panels, decorate your personal pot and plant your favored flower/herb, make a “kompoloi”, items sure to impress all your friends back home!

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Animal farm

Visit the farm and see all the animals cared by the nuns at the monastery; see how to milk a goat or a cow and gather fresh eggs.

Archery

Way of the bow. Develop the basic foundations in the art of the bow and arrow. Learn skills of invisibility with safe foam arrows and fake targets at the barn.

Basketball

Take some time to hoop it up on the basketball court! Each session will begin with a review of basic skills like dribbling, passing and shooting. There will also be fun shooting games like H-O-R-S-E If it really gets going; maybe some full court action will happen, too!

Campfires

Gather round the campfire and share jokes, ghost stories, music, dance and discover the hidden surprises of the glorious night sky… Explore the moon and its terrain, identify planets, visit distant galaxies and wish upon the shooting stars and more!

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Canoeing in the Lake

During our “Afternoon at the Lake” all campers have the opportunity to cool off by canoeing around our lake at the Ranch.

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Cooking and baking

A fun class that will teach each camper how to make delicious food and desserts with the “Mediterranean” diet on mind. On the menu: Greek salad, dolmades, melomakarona and many more delights!!

Hiking Trips

Take a half-day hike along the Giant redwood trees in the Sequoia National Park, have lunch , walk through a giant log and follow the trail to reach a beautiful panoramic view of the wilderness.

Monastic Life

Visit the monastery and its grounds, attend the liturgy, and experience the monastic life. A life time experience for all!!

Movies

Get comfortable relax and enjoy educational Greek movies. Fresh popcorn is a must!

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Olympic Games

Here is the opportunity to perform some of the original Olympic sporting events such as a sprint, the shot put and long jump!

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Short Film

All campers will appear in the short video that is taken and created every year at Greek Village. For those who wish to be more involved, they can elect to spend some of their free time playing a more active role or acting in the yearly Greek Village Video.

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Song Circle

Here’s the opportunity to sing! Make music with your voice without printed music playing with sound, harmonies, and melodies, letting the music flow. You don’t need to think you’re a singer to sing: if you can talk, you can sing.

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Swimming

Take a dip in the pool and enjoy a fun cool mid day with your friends under the direct supervision of our California register lifeguard.

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Talent/No Talent Show

How do you get to the ‘Camp’ Camp Theatre Practice, practice, practice! Polish up your best performance pieces (be they musical, dramatic or other amazing talent/no talent) and thrill your fellow campers with your fabulousness in this popular, camp event.

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Ta Mila

Here is the opportunity to perform some of the original Olympic sporting events such as a sprint, the shot put and long jump!

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Volleyball

All campers will appear in the short video that is taken and created every year at Greek Village. For those who wish to be more involved, they can elect to spend some of their free time playing a more active role or acting in the yearly Greek Village Video.

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Yarn Time

Here’s the opportunity to sing! Make music with your voice without printed music playing with sound, harmonies, and melodies, letting the music flow. You don’t need to think you’re a singer to sing: if you can talk, you can sing.

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Water-balloon Relay

Take a dip in the pool and enjoy a fun cool mid day with your friends under the direct supervision of our California register lifeguard.

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Daily Trips

Take a full day trip in nearby sightseeings and having fun & educational activities

A typical day at the Camp

What will an average day at Our Greek Village look like?

There is not such a thing as an average day in our Greek Village. Every day friends are made, confidence is built and new subjects are explored! Campers are grouped by age and live in cabins, with 2 counselors per cabin. Although the campers get to spend each day living and interacting with the other campers in their group, they get separated in different levels according to the comprehension of Greek for the language class. A Daily Schedule is posted on various locations throughout the camp.

A Typical Summer Camp Daily Schedule:
7:00
The Bell rings
7:30
Wake-up, wash-up, get dressed, begin cabin clean-up
8:00-9:00
Morning Prayer & Breakfast
9:00-9:50
Language And Culture
10:00-10:50
Cooking
11:50-12:00
Snack – Supervised Activity
12:00-12:50
Lunch
13:00-13:30
Cabin Time / Mail Delivery to campers
13:40-14:30
Singing/Dancing/Theatre
14:40-15:30
Arts And Crafts
15:40-16:30
Swimming
16:40-17:30
Olympic Games
17:30-18:00
Cabin Clean Up / Inspection
18:15-19:15
Evening Prayer And Dinner
19:15-20:45
Movie Night / Campfire
20:45-21:00
Story Time
21:00-21:30
Preparation For Bed
21:30-22:30
Lights Out
22:40
Staff And Teachers Meet