US summer camp run by grandmas teaches kids life skills
A summer camp in southern California is creating opportunities for older people to ease their loneliness. At the camp in Orange County, elderly women pass on their knowledge of cooking and handicrafts to young visitors.
Intergenerational camp
The aroma of fried garlic and ginger fills the air, as a group of restless children eagerly watches an elderly woman in a blue checkered apron as she cooks. Here, at the intergenerational summer camp in Fullerton, a city in Orange County, California, the older generation is in charge.
Bridge between young and old
The popular summer camp takes place in a community center. Every week, elderly participants teach children between the ages of 8 and 14 how to cook, sew and embroider with their own hands and imagination, make jewelry out of clay and craft colorful cards.
Together instead of alone
"Isolation and loneliness is something that seniors are challenged with, and they love having younger people around them," Zainab Hussain told The Associated Press news agency. She's the program manager at Olive Community Services, a nonprofit group that organizes the camp and aims to bring older people together.
Sewing lessons 'filling in a gap' left by schools
The program also includes lessons on how to use a sewing machine and sew simple pouches. Such skills are often no longer taught in US schools, said sewing teacher Haqiqah Abdul Rahim. "Sewing's pretty easy, it's just hard keeping the lines straight," said Janna Moten, 9, who said she'd been practicing at home.
Lively atmosphere
Between activities, participants chat, snack and do crafts while some older women mill about on the sidelines, just enjoying being with the young people. Many of the women and children come from Arab communities.
Exchange between generations
The camp is organized in collaboration with the Golden Connections Club, an initiative founded by high school student Leena Albinali to promote everyday interaction between teenagers and elders. The 14-year-old organizes monthly lunches at her school, where older people come to discuss topics like ageism and other challenges, allowing both generations to learn from each other and exchange ideas.
Life wisdom
The children don't just learn kitchen safety and traditional cooking and craft techniques, but also life lessons. One of the most important things the older women taught them was to live in the moment, something that took on new meaning for kids, explained Leena Albinali. "The people we have right now, they're not going to be with us forever."