Our last day at Reymontówka

Message of  the day: Like school on Sunday, no class – the work should be fun. Source attributed to several persons and shared by Freya.

Our last full day at Reymontówka began with a breakfast that featured two different versions of the farmer’s cheese found in Poland and throughout Central Europe. In addition there was the great bread from the bakery in Kotuń plus cold cuts and cheese, yogurt, juices, tea, and coffee.  At the close of the meal Dorota briefed us on the different schedule for today, noting the final program would begin at 6 PM. After breakfast we gathered with Chopin for a team picture. 

We were off to teach classes with our individual group of students, and for most, these classes included some time to practice the presentation the students would be doing in the evening. During the 3^rd and 4^th sessions of classes we invited the campers to sign up for a “station of their interest.”

Gary worked with campers who wanted to play UNO, while Eric, Ben, and Greg created sports activities.

Constance and Brenda created a table for those who wanted to make friendship or bead bracelets. Sophia, Freya and Lori created the Crane and Dufner Nail Salon.  They charged English words for their services with a manicure costing 25 English words and French Tips costing 35 words.

After obiad (lunch) team members returned their final teaching materials and spent time putting the work room into good order for the next team. Also most spent a bit of time packing for their return home.

During the late afternoon, too, parents had been arriving and suitcases were being taken to cars.

Supper began early at 5 PM. We enjoyed a Greek Fish. Wojciech observed this dish may be served as one of the courses during dinner on Christmas Eve. 

At 6 PM we all – student campers, Polish camp staff, parents and family members, and the Global Volunteer team – gathered in the tent for the final program. The program began with the students again dancing the Polonaise. Then they gathered on the stage to sing Rzeka Marzen (River of Dreams). Marek Błaszczyk, Reymontówka Director, welcomed the parents and dignitaries in the audience. He then introduced each Global Volunteer and a student camper presented each with a Reymontówka shirt. This was followed by a presentation of a shirt also to Sylwia and Wojciech for their service helping the Global Volunteers during the camp. 

 

Next the students did a theatrical performance which featured the poems of Jan Twardowski. On a lighter side, next the girls in the camp presented a very cute dance to the tune, Mama Please.

Three English class performances followed. Here Eric and Ben watch proudly as their group sings. This was followed by Freya directed the class taught by she and her father as they presented “Camp Songs.” The class taught by Dick followed singing “Don’t Worry Be Happy.”

The entire student group then gathered on one side of the tent to sing Sen o Warszawie (Dream about Warsaw).

 Up next was Lori’s group who sang the song, One Time or Another, with many of the other campers joining in to sing this song that is very popular right now in Poland. Gary’s group sang Love Full. Ending the English presentations was Brenda’s group who did a rousing rendition of Wave the Flag.

 

The student dancers were back to perform ABC.

Then the student campers all gathered on the stage to end the program singing "Listen, Listen to My Heart Sound" which was graciously dedicated to the Global Volunteers.

The bonfire and freshly grilled kielbasa was next on our agenda, along with the tradition of shirt signing. 

 

At the end of the cook-out we bid good-bye to Constance and Sophia who planned to spend a few days with Polish friends and so they left Reymontówka on Friday night.

But even darkness could not stop some committed futbol players.

Quiet reigned over Reymontówka although the next morning some volunteers noted the same could not be said about some of the animals on the nearby farms. 

Journal by Lori