Welcome to the

2009 "Roma and Friends" Summer Camps!

organized by the

Public Affairs Office and the Regional English Language Office

U.S. Embassy, Budapest, Hungary

July 18-25 and July 25-August 1, 2009

Balatonlelle, Hungary

Video

Group Profiles

Read about participating groups here.

Camp Journal 

Here you can read a daily updated journal about the summer camp.

Camp Interviews 

Here you will find interviews with camp participants and camp staff.

Camp Director

Drama Leaders

English as a Foreign Language Instructor

Camp Counselors

Program Introduction

Organized by the Public Affairs Office and the Regional English Language Office of the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, each "Roma and Friends" summer camp brings together about 35 young people, ages 11-14, plus 5 teachers from all across Hungary for one week – July 18-25 and July 25-August 1 in Balatonlelle, Hungary.  The groups participate in a wide array of activities – games, sports, drama techniques by U.S. artists Drs. Daniel Banks and Adam McKinney, arts and crafts -- designed to promote inter-ethnic understanding, empathy, and tolerance.  The common thread in the camp experience is the use of English as the mode of expression.

The teachers, under the guidance of English as a Foreign Language Instructor Ms. Katalin Szabó and Camp Director Mr. Jay Miller, are also learning.  They receive instruction in developing tolerance and conflict resolution, and then apply these techniques immediately with the students.

After the one-week camp, students will continue to work on joint projects both via email and with exchange visits.  Projects include development of a project website and joint drama presentations.