Campers use Camp Peso’s to buy culturally relevant gifts, toys and other items. Camp Pesos are earned for performing certain tasks and actively engaging in conversation.
Our Philosophy
Immersion Island offers a fun and highly effective place to visit and learn a new language.
Language immersion on the island involves role play, songs, engaging language activities, craft, daily routine tasks, traditional foods, cultural exchange - all in Spanish or French. Campers use and grow their target language skills on a daily basis through our authentic language curriculum and stay for day, overnight or hybrid camp. Counselors and CITs with native and native-ability speaking skills plus international travel experience provide constant interaction with campers, making this is a true immersion experience!
To ensure everyone who attends is comfortable and enjoying their stay, we offer a *low-affective-filter environment for campers to engage in, which means:
Campers become risk-takers as they manipulate language
Campers feel safe in making mistakes without judgement and constant corrections
Campers feel empowered to interact with their peers and seek out models of language proficiency
Campers feel safe in answering questions and sharing their thinking with peers and staff
*Stephen Krashen (University of Southern California), an expert in the field of linguistics, specializing in theories of language acquisition and development came up with The Affective Filter Hypothesis which states, “that a number of 'affective variables' play a facilitative, but non-causal, role in second language acquisition. These variables include: motivation, self-confidence and anxiety.” Learners with high motivation, self-confidence, a good self-image, and a low level of anxiety are better equipped for success in second language acquisition.
Benefits of a Learning a Second Language
Campers work together on a project in Spanish.
Learning a New Language is Difficult, Especially when The System is Flawed. According to Stephen Krashen, linguistics professor at the University of California who has written extensively on second-language acquisition, “We do not master languages by hard study and memorization, or by producing it. Rather, we acquire language when we understand what people tell us and what we read, when we get “comprehensible input…”
On Immersion Island, we provide an immersion environment that embraces this philosophy, because we realize the many benefits of being a bilingual or multilingual. Benefits that last a lifetime. These include:
Boost your career options as the world grows smaller. It's becoming an essential skill for many professions.
Once you learn one, it's a lot easier to learn more (it actually reprograms your brain).
It improves your memory and increases your attention span. The process of becoming bilingual exercises your brain, challenges you to concentrate and boosts your problem solving skills.
Boosts creativity.
Increases self-confidence.
Being bilingual can make you a better multitasker.
It encourages cultural exploration and appreciation.
Speaking other languages can make you a better communicator.
It will actually improve and strengthen your brain.
Your more perceptive.
Better decision making skills.
Language learning correlates with higher academic achievement on standardized test measures.
Research suggests that language learners develop a more positive attitude toward the world around them.
It increases your understanding of the world, inspires exploration and allows you to experience other cultures on a whole other level.
Additional Benefits of Attending Summer Camp
Immersion Island campers develop strong social, leadership and problem-solving skills while at camp.
Today's children Face Many Challenges such as a lack of sensory input, failing to learn basic life skills and not RECEIVING one-on-one attention at school. This can lead to many issues as our kids grow older. Camp can have a positive impact on our children and lay the foundation for a prosperous future.
According to Research 360, a 5 year impact study conducted by The American Camp Association, "Camp appears to be a key context for developing relationship skills and is an integral part of a young person’s overall learning. Camp is a safe place for young people to explore who they are and how they want to be viewed by others. "
In a time of cell phones and social media, relationship and social skills are at the top of everyone’s list regarding our children. At camp, they interact in ways not seen much in day to day life and when they leave those skills remain a part of who they are.
That’s not all! Other benefits of your child attending camp include:
Camp introduces kids to a world of possibilities and tears down cultural barriers.
Camp is both mentally and physically challenging.
Camp reinforces independence and empowerment.
Camp teaches teamwork.
Camp builds self-confidence.
Camp teaches kids how to show appreciation and be grateful.
Camp models healthy, positive living.
Camp shows kids the wonderful world of nature.
Camp fosters personal growth-leadership, empathy, problem-solving, diversity and altruism.
Camp offers real-life experience and creates unforgettable memories.
Camp helps to conquer fears and build resiliency.