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Summer Adventures Revisited

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Two days ago was the official start of FALL! Yes, can you believe it? Summer is over at least according to the calendar. But don’t we all love to take a look back to these blissful days of summer, recalling our adventures?

That’s exactly what Eric Goldston and Kai Levato did. These two teenagers attended GASA’s German Summer Camp at Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center and had such an inspiring experience that they felt compelled to share their adventure with you!

GASA Camp June 2019: Der Zauberlehrling

By Eric Goldston (17) and Kai Levato (15)

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German Summer Camps in San Diego at GPSSD

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GPSSD German Summer Camps for Kids – A creative way to Learn German in San Diego

A few years ago, a brave woman from East Germany started a project that is now a wonderful meeting place for many German-speaking families and families, who are interested in the German language: The German Pacific School of San Diego.

In the beginning, Wiebke Elbe, a former pharmacist, had just a few resources but managed quickly to connect with a number of similar oriented projects in San Diego and other parts of California.

With growing know-how, she started one German after-school-class in a small facility in Clairemont followed by the first German Summer Camp in San Diego.

Within six years the school has grown and now has 4 locations in La Jolla, Clairemont, Carmel Valley and Poway with more than 200 students attending classes from 4 to 6 pm during the week and Saturday classes.

Our founder Wiebke has started a new project in Norway! But she has put so much effort and energy in our project, that today GPSSD is thriving and continuing attracting more and more germanophile families that attend our school.

Wiebke has always made a point of creating a relaxed and stimulating learning atmosphere. She had a discreet manner to inspire our teachers and helpers. She induced them to the philosophy that German lessons and German summer camps should be a fun experience, where children should be inspired and helped to develop their own initiatives and creativity.

With our new principal Christine Johnson, we are continuing this philosophy, and we are still getting a lot of support and help from Wiebke and her husband Hauke.

What about our German Summer Camp?  

Summer Camp 2019 will be amazing! This year it’s all about magic!

This year’s GPSSD camp will be at a wonderful location at the French American School in La Jolla! It’s a campus that offers a lot of space for many outdoor and indoor activities.

GPSSD 2019 Summer Camp’s Topics and Activities

Depending on their interests, the campers will dive into a magical atmosphere where they can learn magic tricks, create their own theater play or even create their own video ( 3rd week)! We would like to give our campers impulses and inspiration and then encourage and help them to create their own play or show.

In our magic oriented group,  campers will read and listen to magic stories and plays. The magic flute might appear from time to time to enchant us with new ideas. Campers will also be surprised by magic tricks and then learn and practice them for a little end of the week show.

In our theater oriented group, campers will get inspiration by German plays and stories, ways to perform a play, and materials they could use. Our camp teacher Heather has a broad spectrum of ideas and ways to carry away our campers imagination. They can choose to create a performance that matches their interests, from a simple puppet show or a self-performed play on stage.

In our third week, campers will create their own small video with the stop motion film making technique.

“Creating a Movie”

A lot of crafting, painting of props and other hands-on activities are always part of our summer camps. All groups will liven up their activities with fun games and a lot of music and entertainment. We will also do Karaoke and will not only use the airy sports field but also the playground to do our outdoor activities. And, of course, our camps are full immersion German language camps.

That means that we will help our campers to better understand German words and sentences by repeating, describing and explaining German expressions. We will also help our campers to produce German sentences and to speak German by their own initiative.

We are looking forward to a relaxed and fun summer event, that will take place from June 24 to July 12, 2019 from 9am to 4 pm. And there is also aftercare available for working families.

Weekly sessions can be booked online at www.gpssd.org. Call us for more information at 858-461-9118 or send us an email, germanpacificschool(AT)gmail.com

Text: Vicky Ripart – GPSSD Camp Team

Images: ©GermanPacificSchoolSanDiego

German Summer Camps for Kids In California – 2019

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HAPPY SUMMER – It’s Camp Time!

Have you chosen the perfect summer activity for your child yet? Here are some German Summer Camps to choose from. We will add to the list as we hear of other summer camps out there. Let us know, too, if you hear of one!

GPSSD German Summer Camp in San Diego – from June 24 to July 12 – 3 weeks to choose:

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GermanSchoolCampus Summer Camp in Newport Beach – June 17th -21st – Math Camp or Dance Camp:

MATH CAMP :


Summer Math Camp – $295/week covers fees and materials. Camp will proceed with a minimum of 6 Sign-ups, maximum 12.

DANCE CAMP – Rumba / ChaCha / Samba / Waltz

Learn dancing Rumba, Cha Cha, Samba and Waltz with Martine. Find more info on their website

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GASA’s German Immersion Overnight – Camp at the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center Irvine – June 16th to 22nd

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Tivoli German Summer Camp for Toddlers in Santa Monica – from July 29th – August 2nd

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Let us know about a German Camp near you!!

Featured Image: Pixabay.com

“Das Tapfere Schneiderlein” – Fairytale Theater Workshop in German At Phoenix Club Anaheim

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Did you enjoy last year’s Theatre Workshop with Yvonne Zech at the Phoenix Club in Anaheim? 

Here is an ENCORE !

Yvonne Zech will be offering yet another workshop on March 17th, 2019. This year, children will be working on an adaptation of the classic fairytale “Das Tapfere Schneiderlein”.

Yvonne, actress and trainer with the Galli Theater Group in Wiesbaden, is specializing in educational children’s theater projects. In her March workshop, children are encouraged to try out new ideas and become acquainted with different perspectives. Discovering their own body language helps children to adapt to new roles. Through the development of their own creativity and the joy of playacting, a world of possibilities will open up to them. Life is exciting and original!

Theatre Workshop is offered by the German American School Association (GASA) [Read more…] about “Das Tapfere Schneiderlein” – Fairytale Theater Workshop in German At Phoenix Club Anaheim

School is back in session! Viel Glück im neuen Schuljahr.

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Schultüte

We are starting the second week in September, and the truth is… Summer is over now! Even if it’s not the official end of this favorite season, it sure feels like it.

Once all kids are back in school again and you don’t hear the laughter of children playing in the streets all day, the beaches are deserted, and the freeways are crowded again, I know,… the serious side of life is back.

All children in California are back in school as of last week. Some were lucky enough to enjoy their summer vacation until right after Labor Day, others had to go back to school already in the middle of August.

German language schools in California are back in session as well. If you are interested in enrolling yourself or your children, go check all of them out on our website. No matter where you are, Northern California or Southern California, we have many of them listed here.

Here is the latest news from some of them:

[Read more…] about School is back in session! Viel Glück im neuen Schuljahr.

Ilka Sternberger and Tivoli Rainbow Garden Preschool celebrate 10th Anniversary – (Interview)

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Rainbow Garden Preschool in Los Angles celebrated its 10th Anniversary this past weekend. We interviewed Ilka Sternberger on the occasion of this event.

June 2, 2018 marked a special day for Ilka Sternberger. Her preschool Tivoli Rainbow Garden Preschool in L.A. celebrated its 10th anniversary and Ilka herself was honored by her school community. A school community that has become family over the years and has turned parents into friends.

Ilka, a gifted educator, who immigrated to the United States from Wiesbaden 29 years ago, has become indispensable for families of the German community in and around Los Angeles. Parents love her for creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for their children while being immersed in the German language and learning all about German traditions as well.

That’s why parents wanted to make sure to let her know just how grateful they are for her creating such a wonderful and peaceful learning environment that sparks the imagination of their children every single school day. The 10-year anniversary party this past Saturday was full of surprises. From special speeches to a video full of memorable moments and special dedications.

In our interview, Ilka Sternberger shares with us how she started Rainbow Garden preschool 10 years ago, and what an impact this had not only on her life but on so many others as well. [Read more…] about Ilka Sternberger and Tivoli Rainbow Garden Preschool celebrate 10th Anniversary – (Interview)

Three Languages, Two Schools, and The Great War

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Three Languages, Two Schools, and The Great War

Guest Post by Lenni Elbe
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Have you ever been on a film set where you heard German, French, and English all around you? Students from GPSSD and SDFAS have!

For a very special project students (9-17 years old), parents, and teachers from both schools got together and worked on an entry for an international history competition, which challenged them to create a high-quality film about “Peace and the Great War: From Trenches to the Project of a United Europe.”

The teams came from German Pacific School San Diego (GPSSD) and San Diego French American School (SDFAS). Their project started with a script-writing workshop. The students then developed their interest in the topic by researching aspects of World War I. The whole movie making process was student-directed.  [Read more…] about Three Languages, Two Schools, and The Great War

German Summer Camps 2018 – Deutsche Sommerferien in California (Updated)

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German Summer Camps 2018 –

It’s time to get serious about thinking and planning for a summer camp. We had posted some of the camps in February, so this is a re-post with a few new updates.  Look through our list and find your favourite pick!

Most popular German summer camps up and down the California Coast. 

[Read more…] about German Summer Camps 2018 – Deutsche Sommerferien in California (Updated)

German Summer Camps 2018 – Deutsche Sommerferien in California

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Summer Camps 2018 –

A Little Preview of Some of the Most Popular German Summer Camps in California

“Seriously…!?”, you might say. “We are talking summer camps already?”

Yes, you’ve read correctly! It’s early February and we are giving you the first preview of some of the most popular German summer camps, up and down the California Coast.

Many camps have already started with registration. So get your foot in the door, put your name down and claim your space at your favorite one.

German American School Association (GASA) – 

Our 2018 camp is inviting all 7 to 16-year-olds to our exciting sleep-away camp from June 23 -28. Spend 6 days, 5 nights at the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center in Orange, CA.

This year’s highlight will be the literary work of famous German author Cornelia Funke!  Students will get acquainted with Cornelia Funke’s writings, especially the book “Die wilden Hühner” and write and perform their own play/musical. They will also visit a mine and learn about rocks, minerals, earthquakes, tectonic plates and mining in a fun, hands-on fashion.  Special activities such as zip lining, swimming, 136 ft. water slide and wall climbing will be available during leisure time, and we will have fun activities planned such as nature hikes, dancing, singing, crafting, campfire, baking, sports, games, fishing, etc.  All activities will be conducted in German.  Join us for an adventurous week at Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center from June 23rd – June 28th, 2018.  You can find more about the German Immersion Camp on our website www.germanschool4kids.org

German School Campus – Newport Beach

Attention all scientists! GermanSchool Campus in Newport Beach is offering its German immersion STEM Science Camp again.  A week of exploring the oceans, learning about sustainability, recycling, clean air solutions, wind power, and much more starts Monday, July 2nd – Saturday, July 7th (Wednesday 4th of July is off) from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm daily.

We have exciting excursions planned on a pontoon boat to a local Science center in the Newport Bay, and again will enjoy sailing or kayaking on the bay. Campers will build a solar-powered hydro car with us and will learn about the various environments. Children ages 6-17 years old get immersed into hands-on scientific experiments while playfully being introduced to a new culture and language (German). All levels are welcome!  Find out more about the camp on our website www.germanschoolcampus.com

German Pacific School San Diego – San Diego

Ready for 4 weeks of fantastic summer camps? German Pacific School San Diego is in the middle of planning some spectacular weeks for young German learners. Every week with another theme will keep the summer vacation exciting. Mark your calendar: Camp time will be from 25. Juni bis 20. Juli. Please check the school for more detailed information regarding program and location.

More info at www.gpssd.org

WANDERKIND Preschool & Kindergarten – Glendale

WanderKind School in Glendale/Burbank will offer another German Immersion Camp for the youngest German learners. Mark your calendar for four weeks packed with outdoor fun and adventure in June for kids 4-8 years old.  If you have attended last year, you don’t want to miss out on all the fun this year. Reserve your spot today!

More information at  www.wanderkindschool.org/

BAKS – Bay Area Kinderstube Summer Camp –  Berkeley, Northern California

“Wir packen unsere Koffer” is the theme of our 2018 German Immersion Summer Camp for ages 5-13, and one for ages 3-4.  Join us this summer from, July 16 – August 10, as we explore the diversity of the many cities and towns of German-speaking countries. Our camp location will be on the beautiful Berkwood Hedge Campus.

Sign up by April 1st and lock in our Early- Bird Special. For more information check our flyer here or www.kinderstube.org

GASPA Summer Camp in Palo Alto, Northern California

Get ready, get set, Summer! Back by popular demand and new and improved! The German-American School of Palo Alto is pleased to once again a full immersion German language summer camp program from June 25th through July 20th in Menlo Park for ages 3-10.

New this year, you can sign up for individual weeks. Sign up before March 31st to take advantage of early bird pricing. Full program details and pricing and can be found on our website.

More information at www.gaspa-ca.org

GISSV -German International School Silicon Valley

This summer we have 2 different camps going on at two locations.
German language classes are paired with art, music, science, sports, cooking and more!
Mountain View: June 18th -July 13th (Kindergarten to middle school)
San Francisco: June 18th-22nd ( Kindergarten to 3rd grade)
You can sign up for a full-day or half-day camp. Extended care is also offered. More information at www.gissv.org

Innerweaving Immersion Camp – Fairfax (NorCal)

Begining July, Silvia Schroeder will hold another Innerweaving camp. The camp offers a combination of indoor/outdoor creative fun. “Throughout the camp we will talk German and introduce language based on nature and craft activities.” Family members are invited to celebrate their children’s powerful Nature-Earthcraft accomplishments on the final day.

Dates are not finalized yet. For more information please contact:  Silvia Schroeder at coaching@innerweaving.com  

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Image: Pixabay.com
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How Do I Raise a Bilingual Child in Germany?

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How Do I Raise a Bilingual Child in Germany?

(by Kate Müser)
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I was raised in Northern California by American parents (who hail from San Diego and can still hold their own in Spanish). My husband was raised by native German speakers in Germany. We may now speak multiple languages between us, but grew up monolingually – not counting the Ruhrpott dialect and the menu at our favorite Mexican restaurant – and we each possess just one passport.

Our son, who arrived in November 2017, may be a first-born child, just like both his parents, and have his mom’s chin and his dad’s eyes. But he is different from us. He is 100% German and 100% American. And he is stuck with a mommy and a Papa who use different words for the same things.

Before he was born, I did some research on raising bilingual children, by reading books and watching YouTube videos.

Now that he’s here, speaking English with him comes naturally of course, but I know that more questions will come up the older – and more talkative – he gets.

As “California Germans”, I’m sure many of you have bilingual families or were raised in one yourself. I would love to hear your story.

Watch the video below and share your tips and thoughts with me! I may just include your comments in a future video.

©KateMüser

Image: Pixabay.com

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Kate Müser, who grew up in Pleasanton, California, was surprised to discover that she feels even closer to her home state now than she did when she first moved to Bonn, Germany, over 14 years ago.

She is the creator of the successful YouTube series #thoseGermans and the portrait series #germany24. Visit Kate’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/katemuser and her website, justkate.de.

For over a decade, Kate has been a TV, radio and online journalist at Deutsche Welle, where she has hosted the feature documentary film Gutenberg in the Cyberstorm, the video series Meet the Germans with Kate and the TV show PopXport.

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