We have a tradition we are very proud of at Centauri – our cultural banquets. Once in each two week session, we set aside regular camp activities and choose a culture in the world to celebrate using the arts, and food. These evenings are usually run by staff members who have cultural ties to the countries we are celebrating. In Session One, we held a Japanese Banquet. Our chefs created a fabulous Japanese feast, and the program directors each represented a Japanese spirit. When a Shisa failed to turn up to dinner, campers were sent on a quest to discover the whereabouts of the missing spirit. We learned Japanese phrases, took part in cultural activities and the evening ended at the campfire pit, where the mystery of the Shisa’s whereabouts was revealed, and we all enjoyed a Japanese dessert.
This session, we enjoyed an Indian wedding feast. To begin, campers were all involved in activities to prepare the bride and groom, all inspired by cultural traditions. The ‘wedding ceremony’ was followed by a glorious celebration in the dining hall, with a wide array of Indian foods, and the hall festooned with fabrics and flowers. “Did you enjoy the banquet?” I asked a camper at the end of the evening. She sighed, and said, “I just have one word. Magical…”
More photos up at centauriartscamp.com/media-and-more/
Julie
Camp Director
Centauri Arts Camp