<p class="ql-block">One morning last summer, as soon as I arrived at our camp, the teachers pulled me aside with smiles, saying someone had come to sponsor our MinnSea summer camp.</p><p class="ql-block">I was surprised and couldn’t help but feel ecstatic—wow, who could be so kind-hearted and have such great vision!</p><p class="ql-block">But when the young sponsor, who was still losing her baby teeth, stood before me and handed me her saved-up allowance, my initial surprise and joy were quickly replaced by deep emotion and warmth.</p><p class="ql-block">It turns out that being recognized by kids is such a blissful experience! All the accumulated effort, the countless late nights, and the time and energy poured into this project suddenly felt worthwhile when met with that warm, shy smile.</p> <p class="ql-block">A Sci-Fi Summer</p><p class="ql-block">Last year marked the 10th anniversary of the classic sci-fi blockbuster Interstellar, and the U.S. Netflix adaptation of The Three-Body Problem also premiered in the spring. In tribute to these two iconic works, we launched a six-week sci-fi-themed summer camp.</p> <p class="ql-block">Seattle’s summer is truly wonderful. During the half-hour check-in time in the morning, early arrivals could fold origami, solve puzzles, or watch the Olympic Games (the kids really enjoyed watching the games).</p><p class="ql-block">At 9:00, our three classes kicked into action.</p> <p class="ql-block">Tennis, Kung Fu, pickle ball—getting some exercise not only strengthens the body but also brightens the spirit. After soaking up the sunshine, the kids returned to the classroom with a fresh mindset.</p> <p class="ql-block">Ms. Zhu’s Chinese classes are always packed with knowledge and fun. While organizing photos, I came across a picture of her teaching Chinese in the park next door. The kids, eyes gleaming with excitement and curiosity, surrounded her. I couldn’t help but smile— this is what an ideal Chinese teacher and an ideal classroom should look like.</p> <p class="ql-block">No cultural class would be complete without calligraphy. With poised wrists and flowing brushstrokes, the kids fully embraced the elegant aura of traditional scholars.</p> <p class="ql-block">We are a very “generous” summer camp. As a comprehensive Chinese immersion camp, we provide a wide array of courses, including LEGO robotics. We offer different LEGO Education kits tailored to each age group, ensuring every student gets hands-on experience during class.</p> <p class="ql-block">Math Mind class</p> <p class="ql-block">AI Animation Design Class</p> <p class="ql-block">The coolest part? The occasional “surprise” guest lectures!</p><p class="ql-block">One science class last year had a last-minute twist when the teacher needed to arrive late. Coincidentally, a professor friend dropping off their child at the camp was recruited on the spot. The impromptu lecture was so engaging that the kids were all ears and eagerly participated. It turned out to be a delightfully unexpected start to the day.</p> <p class="ql-block">Chess</p> <p class="ql-block">Ukulele</p> <p class="ql-block">Science Experiments </p> <p class="ql-block">The Non-Newtonian Fluid Experiment </p> <p class="ql-block">For our middle school students, we offered a Junior MBA course developed by Professor Meng from Indiana University. Since it was an online course, unfortunately, we don’t have photos to share.</p><p class="ql-block">The upcoming art classes are a treasure trove of photos! The creative and inspiring content, combined with our highly imaginative young artists, resulted in so many fantastic snapshots.</p> <p class="ql-block">Last year, we offered an ancient and unique class—Seal Carving. </p><p class="ql-block">We might very well be the first Chinese summer camp in the U.S. to offer this unique course.</p><p class="ql-block">The seal carving materials were top-notch: the Qingtian stone for the seals, the luxurious solid brass rotating base, and the renowned Yongzi brand carving knives. As our invited seal carving instructor from another campus put it, “The tools you’ve provided for the students are even better than my own!”</p> <p class="ql-block">To complement the seal carving class, the Chinese lessons also introduced the history and artistry of seal script and stamp impressions. Our older students loved the class, and their finished works far exceeded expectations.</p><p class="ql-block">Last year, we even prepared special gifts for the students—exquisite custom-made Qingtian stone seals and ink pads engraved with their names. These keepsakes, far more valuable than the typical camp T-shirts, are true treasures for the kids.</p> <p class="ql-block">Though Kpop classes didn’t produce many photos, it was a delightful surprise to see how well the boys could twist and stretch during warm-ups!</p> <p class="ql-block">Now, it’s time to showcase our “top-tier” lunches. Even the famous blogger “Niu Luan Hua” was tempted by our meals!</p> <p class="ql-block">Every week, students enjoyed three Chinese meals, one American-style meal, and a pizza day. The ever-changing menu satisfied all their “VIP” dining needs.</p><p class="ql-block">The weekly crafts we prepared for the students were not only meaningful but also high-quality. They were loved not just by the kids but also highly praised by teachers and parents alike.</p> <p class="ql-block">During the Origami class, the kids showed impressive dedication, especially when tackling more challenging projects. Their effort and seriousness truly touched the teachers.</p> <p class="ql-block">Ask our campers what their favorite class is, and eight out of ten will tell you it’s the baking class. There’s just something irresistible about creating delicious treats and then enjoying the fruits of their labor!</p> <p class="ql-block">Special thanks to a super-dad who brought an exciting and delicious Sugar Painting class to the camp. Our kids all loved it, and it added a whole new layer of fun to their day.</p> <p class="ql-block">Hanfu Event </p> <p class="ql-block">Here are some photos of our outdoor activities. Our location is perfect—nestled in a quiet spot amidst the bustling city, right next to a community park with complete sports and playground facilities.</p> <p class="ql-block">Writing this long post took quite a bit of time, not only because of selecting photos and crafting descriptions but also because I couldn’t help but get lost in these beautiful memories. I often found myself scrolling through our camp’s WeChat group chats, reliving the conversations and laughter from last summer.</p><p class="ql-block">Every smiling face in the photos and every positive message from parents in the chat is a treasured reminder of why we do this.</p><p class="ql-block">This year’s summer camp will undoubtedly surpass previous years because everyone at MinnSea deserves an amazing annual reunion full of fun, learning, and friendship!</p>