Le Carnaval

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#frenchfantastique

Happy Mardi Gras everyone!

Charlotte Megret, our lead counselor, recently shared some fun customs surrounding the celebration of Le Carnaval from around the world.

Elaborate costumes for le Carnaval!

You may have heard of le Carnaval in Rio, Brazil or Mardi Gras in New Orleans but did you know that this évenément takes place in many Pays Francophones as well? On the French island of Guadeloupe for instance, le carnaval is a really popular event where everyone has to wear un déguisement. A huge parade is organized, and people march and dance to the sound of tambours. Another important tradition is the défilé des chars where the best floats are showcased. Many people start decorating their char a year before the next Carnaval!

In France, some cities like Nice also host great carnavals, but most people prefer to eat plein de bonnes choses! Mardi Gras literally means Fat Tuesday and was traditionally a religious celebration that took place the day before the start of Le Carême. The goal was to rid the pantry of all the fatty food and the best way to do this was by making des crèpes and des beignets. Today is Mardi Gras so get your masque à plumes out or your deep fryer, if you prefer!

Le Carnaval - the Carnival

Un événement - an event

Pays Francophones - Francophone countries

Un déguisement - a costume

Les Tambours - drums

Le défilé des chars - the float parade

Plein de bonnes choses - literally "a lot of good things" (used when talking about food or to wish someone a happy new year)

Le Carême - Lent

Des crèpes - crepes

Des beignets - donuts

Masque à plumes - mask with feathers

Nous HEART Camp aussi!

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Bonjour and merci to everyone who submitted photos for I HEART Camp Day 2017!

Here is our valentine to all of you. Bisous!

Babysitting and chutney selling: one camper's entrepreneurial efforts to raise funds for camp!

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#campcares

Max making new friends while babysitting to raise money for camp

From chicken sitting, dog sitting, babysitting to selling coffee and chutney, Max F. has done them all to raise $2000 towards his Canoe Island French Camp tuition this summer. We award between $30,000- $40,000 in scholarships every summer to make camp affordable for anyone seeking the opportunity. Max, 12, camper and scholarship recipient for many years, decided he'd help his family afford the tuition this year by seeking support from his Shaw Island community. He's half way there! Max and his mom, Stephanie, shared with us why he's decided to raise money this year and what sorts of things he's done to rake in the dollars.

"Our family loves the experience that camp provides," says Stephanie.

"Work teaches Max the value of money, communication with his clients, scheduling, accounting, and allows him to take pride in his own abilities. From selling coffee and chutney, to stacking firewood, changing diapers, babysitting, chicken sitting, dog sitting, and helping me with extra projects around the house and my work, Max is learning to help himself achieve his goals."

Max raised $400 last year in addition to the scholarship he was awarded through camp. This year is tackling his goal of $2000 to attend a longer session. "On a typical day I raise $100 by donation only. I also work year round and save almost every penny," says Max.

Max has other motivations as well, "I have been going to Canoe Island French Camp for many years now, and I have found the true meaning of camp. I love French Camp because you learn French, cool facts about the islands' geology, wildlife and nature; how to use different weapons such as the bow and arrow, the trebuchet, and the tomahawk; and of course French cuisine. Making new friends and seeing old ones is a highlight of camp. If you attend camp I guarantee you will make new friends. My goal is $2000 and I'm halfway there. I have a bunch of new friends to meet this summer!"

We are so proud of Max and all his efforts and hope everyone has the chance to meet new friends this summer!