<b>YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea</b> - U.S. Forces Korea officials are planning the 2008 Good Neighbor English Camp. The four-day event brings Korean students into American homes to learn English and get familar with the American lifestyle.
This year, the event will run May 20-24 at Yongsan Garrison in Seoul, but the students will be from Seoul, Pyongtaek and Daegu.
"Participants are 10th grade Korean students," said Program Coordinator Nel De Leon. "Students are selected by local school boards under the direction of the Korean Ministry of Education based on their ability to speak English and their willingness to participate in a home stay program."
De Leon said USFK is looking for host families for the students.
"We need to house 60 students and the deadline date for registration is coming soon -- April 30," she said.
Students will be immersed in an English-speaking environment as they visit and interact with Americans during their home stay and tours on U.S. military installations.
"The goal is for these English Camp participants to become 'Goodwill Ambassadors' as they relay their experiences with their friends, families, teachers and classmates," De Leon said.
De Leon said the volunteer American families (with or without children) are needed to host one or more students for four nights in their homes (or five nights to accommodate students from Daegu and Pyongtaek), providing them breakfast each day along with two evening meals.
"Cots are available if needed," she said. "Host families are also requested to transport the students to designated assembly points, such as Balboni Theater or Seoul American High School in the morning and pick them up each night from a scheduled activity."
The English camp participants will tour U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan, the Joint Security Area, USAG-Humphreys and Osan Air Base. On three evenings, camp participants, along with students from SAHS, will attend a pizza party at the Youth Sports Center, watch a movie at the post theater, and enjoy a traditional Korean dinner. The final activity is a picnic and graduation ceremony.
"Demonstrate true American hospitality by opening your homes to our young Korean neighbors," De Leon said. "It will be an experience of a lifetime for you and your family."
To volunteer, contact De Leon at paocr@korea.army.mil or call 723-4685 before April 30.
Social Sharing