Learning by Doing . . . and Being – wayne centrone

We have a tradition at the Casa Girasoles. It is a tradition of inclusivity and activity. We strive for all the children to learn by doing, and to create community connections through their activities and experiences.

This last week the boys and staff at the Casa Girasoles Urubamba went on a three night camping trip. The trip was designed around teaching leadership skills and working together as an inclusive team. One of the activities the boys engaged in was an outreach trip to an elder care facility. They helped to shape an afternoon of activities and spent time connecting with their older neighbors.

This is the ‘learning by being’ part of our philosophy at the Casa Girasoles. It is based on the idea that we all need relationship and connection – and, that is not about us doing anything for another person. It is about “being” present in another persons life. Talk about a great life lesson to learn at a young age.

The following is an excerpt from a story told by the director regarding the camping trip and the impact on the boys. I love hearing about the amazing work the team is doing, and I hope you do as well. Thanks for all the continued support. Cheers!

“Each camp we do is a very different story, and this was no exception, we formed two teams and in each team among its members were from the smallest to the oldest, they were given the rules of the game and the things that the judges were going to take into account for the awards, then the teams that had the best attitude, companionship, the team that did not give up despite the circumstances, the motivation among their teammates were awarded. important things, to form their characters.

We really saw a good behavior during the whole camp, in spite of the free moments that each one had in which they could play, others slept, others rode bicycles, others played spinning tops, the little ones in their world that only they understand, at the end of everything before retiring after having folded everything and finished we started with the awarding, and as I said the teams were awarded not only because they won in the games but their attitude, companionship, resilience, etc. Both teams were up to the task, all the members were happy. And just when everyone thought the camp was over, there was one more award, which, no one expected, least of all the kids, and they didn’t know what they were going to be rewarded for. And here comes the little story and reflection of this camp.

Without anyone knowing, I secretly indicated four people among our tutors and volunteers, and they themselves did not know who the others were. I told them to observe indistinctly which child or young person was the most restrained, the helper, the one who did things without an order from the leader or a tutor, the one who did things on his own initiative. When I gathered the four of them together and asked, there were several opinions, several names among them, but the one that stood out the most among them all, there was one who was seen helping the little one, then they saw him helping in the kitchen, he was helping to carry the dishes, he did not complain about anything, and in spite of his age, he surprised us with his good attitude.

All the kids couldn’t imagine why the award, after a pause, was given to the person who during the camp had the initiative, was restrained, and was a helper. So… his name is Frank, to see how surprised he was, to see his face full of happiness was the best even he could not imagine it, we were all filled with great emotions, it was a great lesson for the youngsters, for the youngest and even for the tutors.“