Continue the Love

We are so thankful for all the support we receive from our Canoe Island French Camp Friends and Family! Our Bistro Canoe 2016 was a huge success! Spunky zydeco music by the Folichon Trio, delicious food by our past chef Aaron Andrews who donated his time and talent, huge support from Eat-Drink Catering and Hotel Deca and original artwork auctioned. Everyone had so much fun! Check out our photos of folks dressed to the nines and dancing the night away. Most importantly, we raised $15,000 towards our goal of $25,000 to build a new Atelier-- the art workshop on Canoe Island


You can keep the good times rolling by helping us raise the last $10,000. If you weren't able to come to the gala, you can still donate right now. We can even send you a thank you gift if you would like a Canoe Island French Camp momento. Don't forget to take your donation receipt to work as your employer might be able to match your gift.

Enjoy more updates in our current Camaraderie (Canoe Island French Camp's newsletter) including our search for a new nurse, les choses à raconter, coin français and our most recent registration numbers for camp and family programs!

les ognons sont bons mais ils coutent beaucoup

Ce n'est pas vrai! but the spelling of both les oignons and coûter will officially change to les ognons and couter in French school books this year. The spelling changes approved by l'Academie Française in 1990 apply to 2,400 words and discontinues the use of l'accent circonflexe in many cases. Here at Canoe Island French Camp, the changes provide an excellent entry point to discussions around the evolution of language and how society influences what stays and what goes. TF1 released a video February 3rd, which has started a social media frenzy including the hashtag #jesuiscirconflexe and the BBC has a great article in English.

What do you think about these changes to the French language?

animal de compagnie

Razz paddling around Canoe Island

I can't imagine Canoe Island without Addie, Ben's loveable Australian shepherd. She is the real life teddy bear for campers and counselors and an excellent foot warmer during the winter months in the office. Not only that but she is a mother to two litters of adorable puppies. We are lucky to have two of them with us on the island. The rest have been sold to loving homes. Razz is my new baby dog. And I love him to pieces. It's amazing how quickly the bond between pet and owner can form. My new puppy has me wondering about pets in France.

Un animal de compagnie is an animal kept primarily as a companion and not for work purposes. About 50% of all households in France own at least one pet. The top five most popular types of pets may surprise you.

5. small mammals including rabbits (2.66 million)

4. birds (6.43 million)

3. dogs (7.42 million)

2. cats (11.41 million)

1. fish (34.99 million)

La Chandeleur

Do you love les crêpes? today, is La Chandeleur, a French holiday where it is tradition to eat crêpes! Why crêpes? Géraldine provides a wonderful overview of the history of this French day, along with an excellent tutorial on how to faire des crêpes! Fire up your skillets, enjoy the video, and then a crêpe!

Chers Amis de Canoe

Dear Canoe-Friends, Chers Amis de Canoe,

Merci beaucoup pour ces vœux dont nous aurons bien besoin pour que reviennent durablement Paix et

 Dans nos cœurs et partout autour.

Recevez aussi nos vœux les plus sincères pour une

Puisse t'elle vous apporter

Santé Bonheur et Prospérité

First and foremost may "The Canoe Spirit" remain with you under all circumstances,

Amitiés de ce côté de l'Atlantique,
From beyond the other side of the Atlantic pond,

Yours Sincerely,


Christian Siguié

Trois… deux… un… bonne année!!!!

In just a couple days the call of "Happy New Year" will echo around the world. Celebrations in cities and in small towns will light up the night skies. In my family we'd always head to a neighbor's house, where we would share a potluck dinner, board games for the kids, wine and discussion for the grown-ups, and everyone would gather round the tv screen to count down the fireworks from the Space Needle at midnight. We'd all have glasses of sparkling cider or champagne and some kind of noisemaker for the big moment. Kisses would be exchanged; the fireworks would be appreciated along with the sounds of a classical symphony. Then we'd slowly walk home as a family in the cold morning air. Finally we'd snuggle into our beds to sleep in on New Year's Day. From what I've read and heard, New Year's Eve in France, la Réveillon or la Saint-Sylvestre, is pretty similar.

Parties can consist of close friends and relatives or be with hundreds of people in a public venue. Some traditional foods you’ll find at these gatherings include des huitres, du saumon fumé, de la foie gras and du champagne. Starting off the new year by kissing friends and family under the mistletoe is common. And wishing folks a bonne année continues into February. One French comedian, Gad Elmaleh, has even included this practice in one of his stand ups.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qptCRSQhQU

From all of us here on Canoe, Bonne Année!

Artisans and Crafts

“What are you making?” I ask the pint sized soccer player to my right. 

"A cat!" he enthusiastically replies. His cat is fashioned from an old sock, limbs from other stuffed animals and a blue felt smile. It's zany and oh so creative. And he made it himself. So much confidence can come from creating things oneself, like campers do at Canoe Island French Camp. This is why I love crafts, and the artisanal culture of France, that values handmade products by local merchants. This French sentiment was very much present at this fall's San Juan County Textile Guild Craft Expo.

The guild hosts many mediums for design. Knitting, spinning, beading, basketry, quilting and weaving were all available for people to learn at the fair. I was drawn to a huddle of kids and adults sitting on a quilt on the floor. In the middle of the circle was a pile of stuffed animal carnage, fabrics, yarn and fluff. Francie and Cindy were helping folks fabricate their very own frank-n-animal. The results were adorable.

A bunny/ bear farmer in an orange tutu left with a little girl. She was proud to introduce it to everyone. The cat earlier described was to be a gift for the family puppy. In a society where things are designed to be thrown away, and kids are taught to always be asking for new things, it was nice to see kiddos finding value in the old, the ripped, the discarded. Whether you are sewing together a new stuffed animal, knitting a hat or quilting a blanket, creating something with your own hands is satisfying and rejuvenating. As we approach the holiday season, I encourage you to consider crafting some of your gifts. You might find a new skill!