Summer vacation is the time when all types of camp activities are in full swing. KPL collaborates with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Kaohsiung Branch and the Ministry of Education’s Lifelong Learning circle-HESS Educational Foundation this summer to host a two-day summer camp for teenagers called the “American Culture Camp.” The camp kicked off in KPL’s Gangshan Branch for the first time on July 13, 2023. On the first day of the camp, Thomas T. Wong, AIT’s Kaohsiung Branch Office Chief, conducted a storytelling session with one of the classic American representative picture books, “Where the Wild Things Are.” He shared with the participants how reading advances one’s English language skills and inspires young people to explore American literature. 

Vice Director Jian Mei-Ling (簡美玲) of the Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Kaohsiung City Government, attended the first day of the event. She mentioned that during the summer vacation, the library organizes many self-directed learning activities in hopes of introducing public resources to continue enhancing teenagers' competitiveness. The American Culture Camp” not only cultivates teenagers’ bilingual abilities but also broadens their international perspectives. Immersive English teaching, group interactions, and digital learning allow participants to understand the cultural differences between America and Taiwan and expand their diverse cultural horizons.

Acting Director of KPL, Lin Yi-Cheng (林奕成), explained that the camp targeted elementary students from upper grades and junior high school students. Over 30 students joined this year. The Kaohsiung City Government (KCG) prioritizes bilingual education and actively fosters an English-friendly learning environment. Last year, the “American Culture Camp” took place in the city center, whereas this year, it was held at the Gangshan Branch to reach more teenagers and integrate resources, centering on the diverse regional characteristics in Greater Kaohsiung. Lin also told us that the program was planned by the HESS Educational Foundation, led by professional foreign teachers, and conducted primarily in English through immersive teaching. The camp also incorporated group interactions and digital learning. The camp curriculum introduced students to Native Americans and Indigenous people in Taiwan, various Asian cultural aspects such as food, music, movies and TV, American Chinatown, and famous historical figures. Students developed a deeper understanding of modern American culture and values, broader cultural views, and better international communication skills in the camp.

Lin Mi-Syuan(林宓璇), a fourth-grade participant from Jhuwei (竹圍)elementary school, told us that her all-time favorite activity is the group discussion because she could interact with the teacher and fellow classmates in English to complete the Question-Answer session. She did not have many opportunities to speak English in her daily life, but through the camp, she met students from other schools and had the confidence to introduce characters from picture books in English. She looked forward to receiving her graduation certificate on the last day of the camp and believed that the camp was the most remarkable achievement and memory of summer 2023.