WHITBY FR.EE PRESS, WEDNESDAYs JULY 26,1978, PAGE il First Fre.nch day camp in region The first French immersion day camp in Durham Region is under w4y this summer at the Heber Down Conserviation Area, under the'direction of tI7e Durham Region YIM CA. With the French language- being such a political issue at the presetit time, it is interesting to note that there is nothing political as such about the camp. It came about due to requests1 from parents, and the--*î fiaci some, changes made'in its Young Canada Works grant for Odd Job Empioyment, in, order to conduct the French day: camp. The children attending the camp corne fromn a number of backgrounds, some are already enroiied in French immersion courses and their parents don't want them to lose what they have iearned. Others are starting French in the fali and their parents want them to get some early experience in the language, while others are doing poorly in French and their parents want them to upgrade their language skills. About 40 chiidren aged three to 13 are taking part in Camp francais, participat- ing in- songs and games, making their own fishing nets (filets) out of mother's old panty hose and a hanger, and taking- part in nature hikes. These, and scavenger hunts teach the children the French words for various -Objects, found in the woods, from living ants and dead leaves to garbage found on the ground. The goal of Camp francais is not to make the chiidren bilinguai. in two weeks, but to reinforce what, they already know and 'further develop their listenfing and- compre- hension, says Camp Director Patricia Keywan. Camp francais, is being conducted îin fo ur two week sessions, the remaining sessions being July 31 to Aug. il and Aug. 14 to 26. The children attend the camp five days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Most of the program is at the Heber Down Conservation Area, with a swim at the end of the day at the Kinsmen Park Camp Director Patricia Keywan, of Toronto will be teaching French immersion Kindergarten this fail in Fergus. The other staff members are equaliy qualified to teach at the camp. Nadine Cuoci, of Picker- ing, Was born ini France and wiil be' attending thé University of Ottawa this fal on a speciai scholarship for bilinguai studies. Chantai Dube, of Whitby and Mario Lessard of Oshawa wiil be attending Grade 12, at Etienne Bruie High School, a totaily- French school in Toronto. The staff of Camp francais point out that there' is more opportunity for speaking French in the Durham -Region than one would imagine. There are a number of French speaking families in the region, 'and Oshawa has its own French schooi and church, Corpus Christi. Miss Keywan says Camp francais has received a "1realiy good response"' and she expects the Durham Y will carry it on in future years on a regular basis.- Aiready there have been inquiries about the camp from another, YMCA. , Camp francais Counsellor Nadine CUoc Ift .a agoporcraen narFI~ language sing-song as part of the first French language day camp in the Durham Region. Setdleft to right are: Tammy rogers, Zachary Ratcliff, Savina Findlay, Eric Tonallato and Jenny Voris. The camp, requested by local area parents who wanted their children to learn French,has been a considerable success and will iikely be carried on next year, the staff report, Camp francais is a project of the Durham Region YMCA. Free Press Photo -I