An Intergenerational Program for Teens, Parents, and Kids at Casa de la Esperanza Helps Families Connect, Camp, and Grow Together. Written by Senior CAP Instructor Erin Angel.
We want to share with you some of the magic of the Casa de la Esperanza (Casa) Familias Unidas en la Naturaleza (FUN) Intergenerational Program and how it changes and affects us, instructor, parent, and child alike. We start the whole program by meeting everyone where they are at, in a place they are comfortable, and get them excited about the program. This year we had an ice cream and micro s’more party on a day most families would be at the Casa Learning Center. Parents and kids asked questions and left happy and sticky.
The first part of the program is with the teens of Casa de la Esperanza, which is part of Boulder County Housing. We gathered in a circle outside the learning center to do a name game, and although the teens for the most part knew each other, everyone was feeling a little nervous being in a new group with new roles and expectations. We met each evening to learn camping skills, like how to set up a tent, what to bring on a trip, and how to start planning a trip. We played additional games as we gradually got more comfortable with each other. That weekend we went on a camping trip in Pine, Colorado, where we caught fish and relaxed at Staunton State Park. The next day we really stretched out of our comfort zones and went rock climbing with the Friends of Staunton. Some students challenged themselves by climbing high and hard, while other students’ challenge was learning how to belay and support their friends and instructors.
During the second part of the program, the teens taught the younger Casa kids how to Leave No Trace and what to bring on a trip. The teens planned and facilitated a fun-filled campout in the backyard of the learning center. They helped the young ones set up tents, led silly games, and grilled hotdogs for dinner. In an attempt to get the little kids tired and ready to sleep in their tents, we went on a night walk around the neighborhood and played sensory awareness games. Finally the students fell asleep in their sleeping bags for a short night’s sleep. We ended the backyard campout with a crazy game of Drip, Drip, Drop, and everyone left laughing and soaking wet.
The last part of the program is when the teens worked with their parents to plan an intergenerational camping trip to Glen Isle Campground in Bailey, CO. We all worked together to plan an itinerary that excited everyone and a menu of amazing food. When we got to Glen Isle, the kids showed their parents how to set up the tents. We went on a scavenger hunt to explore the area, did camp crafts like whittling and bracelet making while we told family stories, and then played Loteria. Dinner was gourmet with a buffet of homemade salsas (thanks, Maribel!) and carne asada grilled by the dads. We relaxed by the fire, playing with Junior, the baby, while the youth played some twilight soccer. Those who still had some energy went on a night hike. Joaquin showed one of the moms how you can make peoples’ heads seem to disappear in the dark and how to make Wint-O-Green Lifesavers make sparks.
Each part of this multi-day program built connection across ages and is a powerful example of how intergenerational experiences in nature can bring families closer to each other and to the outdoors.
We want to thank our funders that helped make this program possible, including Boulder County Housing Authority, Colorado Health Foundation, Great Outdoors Colorado, Nature Kids Longmont, and Thorne Nature Experience!
If you are inspired by this program and want to help make it possible again next summer, consider making a donation to Cottonwood Institute today!
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