This summer camp in Colorado is helping refugee kids feel more welcome in their new home. All the participants of the summer activities are from different backgrounds, whether they’re born in the country or have recently immigrated. While it may seem like any other summer camp, this one plays a special role in teaching acceptance of others.

As newcomers to a country, immigrant or refugee kids probably find it daunting to integrate themselves into the community. They’re new to the culture, way of life, and even the language, so it can be hard to establish themselves alone. Thanks to summer camps like this one, their challenging task of starting a new life can be made a little bit easier.

Slow Food Denver has created this summer camp in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee and the Denver YMCA. Primarily, the immigrant or refugee children who participate in the program are from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Congo. However, there are American kids who are in the camp as well. They all learn how to make good food and make the best use of local ingredients. Together, they come up with good recipes and make food under supervision.

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The summer camp teaches more than just food preparation. Kids from diverse backgrounds all work together towards the same goal. They’re taught values of acceptance, respect, and teamwork. For both the new kids and the local kids, they can see that even if someone else isn’t exactly like them, they can still show respect and even be good friends. This is something important they need to learn as they encounter more and more people in their lives. Not everyone is exactly like you, and that’s okay.

For the refugee kids, a lot of them haven’t had a “normal” summer in a while. They have fled from war-torn or resource-scarce countries, and these kids have probably gone through more trauma than necessary. To have a summer when they can just be normal kids, make new friends, and eat good food is needed for their sense of security, safety, and community. As they integrate themselves into their new home, they know they have a safe place where they can meet people and make friends.

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