Halloween Around the World

Aloha Bloggers!

YMCA Camp Erdman's Halloween Family Camp is this weekend from October 30th to November 1st. Due to the high number of international staff we have here at the Erd, we'll be getting them to weigh in on what Halloween is like in their home countries!

We'll start with Mexico's Dia de Muertos... article by Guillermo from Chihuahua, Mexico!

The "Day of the Dead" is one of the most ancient traditions that Mexico holds in honor of their dead. This is a festival filled with music, color, food and joy -- typical of a major popular festival.

Unlike a series and unfortunate habit, Mexicans celebrate on November 2nd. For them, the "Day of the Dead" is one of the biggest holidays of the year as they get their ancestors back to life on earth. A day of joy and bliss! Currently, the Dead of the Dead in Mexico represents a mixture of Christian devotion and pre-Hispanic customs and beliefs and is embodied in the traditional altar-offering, one of the most Mexican traditions.

The altar is a ritual offering respectful to the memory of the dead, their purpose is to attract spirits. On November 2, the dead have obtained permission to visit with their families, and their families are waiting for them with food and their favorite objects in life - a way to settle back and enjoy their brief visit. In the offering, the altar must not miss the representation of the four primordial elements of nature: water, wind, earth and fire. The offering also contains salt (purified), incense (the spirits are guided by smell), and Cempasuchitl flower that is watered from the door to the altar to show the way to the souls.

This is a festival dedicated to those who are no longer with us and where music, color and typical food make a great holiday.

Isn't the Internet Amazing?

YMCA Camp Erdman is so happy to be actively participating in "the internet"! Whether it's our blog, our twitter or even the slideshows and movies we post on YouTube, we're very excited to be online and active! We even have our own website!!!

As we forge bravely ahead into the world wide web, we're excited to announce that we will have guest authors of our various blog posts and we're hoping to have a recipe of the month from our amazing Chef - Chef Charlotte!

Stay tuned for more details!!

with love,

Camp.

First Blog Post!

Aloha from YMCA Camp Erdman!

We've finally entered the blogosphere to talk about some of our great upcoming events and other things that are on the go to keep our families and friends informed!

YMCA Camp Erdman will be hosting Furlough Friday Day Camps starting October 23rd, 2009. Cost is only $40 for a spectacular day of friends, learning, recreation and fun! Bus pickup is available from Ehukai and Waialua beach parks for an additional $5/child. For more information, check out our website!!

Halloween Family Camp is fast approaching. This popular event features many classic Family Camp activities and of course, lots of fun Halloween activities like our Haunted House, Costume Party, Trick-or-Treating and more!

Fall School Break just wrapped up! The small and mighty bunch had an amazing week with their counselors Ana, Phillip, Keilla, Jordan and Azusa! What a great week! You can check out the slideshow at http://www.youtube.com/ymcacamperdman

Anything you'd like added to the blog? Email us at pmcgregor@ymcahonolulu.org !!