Cinco de Mayo

Today is Cinco de Mayo ("The Fifth of May") and to celebrate, we've invited Memo from Mexico to share the history of the holiday with a little bit of help from Wikipedia. You can learn more about Cinco de Mayo by clicking here.

Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday that commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin.

In 1861, Benito Juarez stopped making interest payments to creditor countries which put Mexico in a financial bind. In response, France attacked Mexico to force payment of its debt. France decided that it would try to take over and occupy Mexico. France was successful at first in its invasion; however, on May 5, 1862, at the city of Puebla, Mexican forces were able to defeat an attack by the larger French army. In the Battle of Puebla, the Mexicans were led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin. Although the Mexican army was victorious over the French at Puebla, the victory only delayed the French advance on Mexico City. A year later, the French occupied Mexico. The French occupying forces placed Emperor Maximilian I on the throne of Mexico in 1864. The French, under pressure from the United States, eventually withdrew in 1866-1867. Maximilian was deposed by President Benito Juarez and executed, five years after the Battle of Puebla.

The Battle of Puebla was important for at least two reasons. First, although considerably outnumbered, the Mexicans defeated a much better-equipped French army. Second, it was significant because since the Battle of Puebla, no country in the Americas has been invaded by an army from another continent.

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated primarily in the state of Puebla and in the United States. The date is observed in the USA and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day, the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.

New Internationals Arriving Soon

Aloha Blogosphere!

We have not updated in quite some time and we apologize for this but we have been very, very busy preparing for one of our busiest and most exciting times: Summer Camp! Summer Camp is a great opportunity for kids from all over to join us here on the North Shore for fantastic weeks of safe, fun and adventure combining summer tradition and aloha spirit. If you have not already registered, be sure to do so soon as our registration is certainly picking up speed as we get closer and closer to the summer camp kickoff!

This summer we will have two fun-filled sessions of Operation Purple Camp for children in Military families followed by nine weeks of traditional summer camp adventures for kids of all backgrounds. Not only do these nine weeks of traditional summer camp include all of the amazing activities that our keiki love (archery, swimming, Alpine Tower, sports, games, exploring and more) but also Specialty Camps like Surf, Horsemanship, Rock Climbing and ESL! Be sure to click here for more information on our exciting summer programs.

We are excited to welcome twenty American camp counselors to help us this summer. These dedicated young men and women have gone through an extensive interview process that includes reference checks and background checks - we are confident that we have hired the best of the best for these positions. They will join the ten international program staff that are already here. Additionally, May 9th, 2010 welcomes the arrival of a whole new International Class full of ten exciting individuals. For more on that, we come to our guest blogger, Kaiulani from our Metro office:

Exciting News from YMCA Camp Erdman!

This May, ten new staff members will be joining the International Training Program out at YMCA Camp Erdman. The already prestigious program started just five years ago with a handful of staff and is now one of the most successful international training programs in the U.S.A.

If you are not familiar with the International Training Program, trainees from all over the world instruct school programs that oversee more than 5,000 keiki and teach them about the environment, leadership, and team building. All trainees are equipped with degrees in Education, Physical Education, Sports and Recreation or with a minimum of five years of experience working with kids in similar areas.

The current staff of eleven is a diverse group hailing from countries like Japan, England and everywhere in between. Once the ten new members join the group the amount of trainees will double in size! YMCA Camp Erdman hosts international trainees from Brazil, Canada, Columbia, England, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Paraguay, Senegal and Spain.

Hawaii has always been a diverse community and we are proud to say that YMCA Camp Erdman is carrying on the inclusive tradition of aloha.

Wow! Thanks for that great article, Kaiulani! Don't forget, all of those exciting International Trainees will be Summer Camp Counselors living in cabins and working with our keiki this summer! This can be seen on the YMCA of Honolulu website (click here).

Remember, you too can submit a blog article. Just email Peter McGregor or Sana Hanible to have your voice heard!

YMCA Camp Erdman's Family Camp Weekends

Aloha Readers!

After a three month break, Family Camp season is back up and running at YMCA Camp Erdman! We've got various family camps coming up over the next nine months and we're very, very excited about them! If you're a military family, we've been lucky enough to partner with various organizations to provide family camps to members of our military community thanks to the fantastic generosity of these organizations. Click here for more information on military family programs.

Health, wellness, and a 10K race? Sounds like a recipe for family fun! Our Health & Wellness Family Camp is happening Easter Weekend (April 2nd-4th, 2010) with lots of great activities for the whole family. In the morning of Saturday April 3rd, we'll be running a 10K race for adults and a 2K race for keiki. Come and spend the entire weekend at YMCA Camp Erdman or participate in the race. Our program is designed to help you and your family connect together with many great activities. Do as much or as little as you choose! Do activities together as a family or divide up so that each member of your family can do they activities that they like to do. For more information, click here. Evening programs include family games and the infamous YMCA Camp Erdman Campfire Spectacular! Space is limited to be sure to sign up today!

We're constantly updating more than just our blog! Check out our Facebook Page and become a Fan, Follow our Tweets on Twitter, and watch our Vids on YouTube. If you're interested in learning about more of the great programs at YMCA Camp Erdman, make sure you subscribe for Email Updates.

That's all for now! If you're interested in contributing to the blog, be sure to email Peter McGregor with your article!

After 13 Months by Ana Moraes

Aloha Blogosphere!

We've got an exciting update today from Ana Moraes! Ana came to camp approximately a year ago as a member of our International Training and Mentorship Program and is writing specifically for any individuals thinking of coming to join the program. But, of course, all are welcome to read!

Before we get to Ana's post, be sure to come visit camp this Saturday, February 27th, 2010 between 11am and 4pm for our FREE Community Celebration Day! Camp activities will be open and free to the public! Food and refreshments are available for purchase! And now, on to today's article!

Aloha readers! I’m writing today specially for the people that think about came to camp to enjoy the international training or volunteer program at YMCA Camp Erdman.

When I knew about the program I thought “ok, sounds good, live and work in the North Shore of Oahu for a year, make international friends, have fun with keikis and families …” what I didn’t know was how much this experience could make difference in my life.

All the moments that you live here, will stay with you forever. Working here you don’t have just a fun job, but you also learn and teach a lot, share moments that will be forever in your mind. You make friends from around the world, you learn new languages, different cultures and also how much we are the same doesn’t matter which side the world you are from. You live in one of the most beautiful islands in the world and learn what’s the ALOHA life style.

Here you always will find people able to help and support you, we live all far from our families, but we´re together a big Ohana.

So if you are thinking to come and enjoy the program don’t lose your time. Don’t be afraid, the time here pass so fast and when you look back, you just have “mahalos” to say for all the people that shared with you in your Hawaiian life.

Huge Mahalo for all my camp friends and coworkers!

Ana Banana

Thanks so much for the great post Ana! Remember, if you are interested in our International Training and Mentorship Program, be sure to email Valdon McKinnon for more information! For more on our Blog and other Social Media Networking, email Peter McGregor!

Christmas - Brazilian Style!

Aloha readers!

We apologize that it has been so long since our last update for things going on at camp! We had a very busy Christmas season welcoming back our friends at the National Military Family Association with our first ever Operation Purple Family Retreat. This was a huge success and it was great to partner with our friends at the NMFA once again. Additionally our Winter School Break Camp was more successful than ever before with 27 youngsters coming out and enjoying a week of camp here at YMCA Camp Erdman with their counselors Trish, Keilla, Paulo and Memo! Such a great week and we promise that the slideshows are coming soon!

Coming up for the rest of January and February, Camp is ultra busy with our Annual Support Campaign. Our ASC raises funds to help send kids, families, groups and other individuals to camp. Often, many campers cannot afford Camp Erdman's programs and our ASC helps those families who need support. If you are interested in helping us by donating, being a volunteer, or using your skills somehow, please call camp at 808-637-4615

Onto today's article coming from guest blogger and brand new volunteer Thais from Brazil. Thais is spending three months here at YMCA Camp Erdman and is already showing some great initiative.

Well, i´m going to tell how i usually spend my Christmas holiday.
There´s a long time that I spend Christmas holiday working, I was a lifeguard for 6 years in Brazil, then I didn´t have much time to celebrate.
At the Christmas night I used to go to my grandma´s (by father) house, with all these part of the family. At midnight we always had a wonderful dinner. Then early in the morning, before go to work, I used to go to the church take a time for myself and thanks for one more amazing year.
I was born on Dec 26st, I could never had a party, so usually, we had a double celebration at the Xmas day, at my house, with all family - that was already waiting for me and my brother return of work with a party for me!
But this year was reeeaaalllyyy different!
I spend my holiday on air!!!! I was in the aeroplane coming to Hawaii - that was a dream to me.
It was weird, cause I didn´t have time to go to the church, and celebrate with my family, although it was such an experience because it was the first step of a new journey! I could´t gave myself better Xmas/bday gift than this trip... I was anxious, and could´t sleep during the day , because we was flying over many beautiful views, and i didn´t want to miss one detail! I was counting minutes to arrive!
When I arrived in Honolulu, I felt a strange but good thing... It was like I´ve been there before! Even when I saw that one of my best friends in Brazil was there to pick me and take me to the camp. Wile we waited for other friend of us to arrive from Brazil too, she told me a looot of good things about the camp, making me feel much more comfortable.
Now, I´m really happy here! Me and my new friends went to a nice place in Haleiwa to celebrate my 24th year, we´re always together hanging out, meeting new places... With many new friends, one lovely dog, in a paradisaical place, a thankful and pleasant, it´ll be for sure one of the best experiences of my life!!!

Mahalo Thais! If you are interested in contributing to the blog, please email Peter McGregor - pmcgregor@ymcahonolulu.org

Bye for now!!!

Volunteer Perspective Part 2

Aloha All,

Sorry that it has been a while since we've updated. We're going to swiftly get into "Volunteer Perspective Part 2" -- today's guest blogger is Trish Nolan from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Keep in mind, Winter School Break Camp is fast approaching and fast filling. Make sure you sign up today!

My name is Trish and camp Erdman accepted me as an international volunteer for 3 months. I have only been here about a month and can truly say that it has been the most exciting time in my entire life. One of my favourite things about this camp is the fact that they have a giant beach right outside my volunteer cabin that is all to ourselves! They took us on a few field trips last week first was Waimea Valley which is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen! Second was Sea life park which is one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Those dolphins left me in aw! I highly recommend people to come here to Hawaii to work at camp Erdman or to at least visit the islands!

Thanks Trish! Remember, if you want to contribute to the blog, email the blogmaster, Peter McGregor!

Volunteer Perspective

Aloha All!

We haven't updated in quite some time and for our newest update, we have another guest blogger! If you're still interested in submitting articles for our blog, please email BlogMaster Peter McGregor at pmcgregor@ymcahonolulu.org and we'll be sure to do our best to include it. Just an update on some things happening at YMCA Camp Erdman! Today is Furlough Friday and we've got a small and mighty group of kids having a great time learning while having fun here at camp! At this very moment they're doing some arts and crafts with their counselors Trish (from Canada) and Memo (from Mexico)! Later this afternoon they'll hit the pool with Ana (Brazil) and Phillip (England)! It's going to be a great day! Speaking of later this afternoon, today is day one of Operation: Military Kids Family Camp! Families will be checking in from 3:30-6:00pm tonight and having an amazing fun-filled weekend. We're expecting close to 100 individuals from our military community to be joining us! Most of these individuals are new to YMCA Camp Erdman so we're very excited to be able to reach more and more people. Thanks to our partnership with OMK, we've been able to host many family camps for our military community and we're excited to continue this wonderful relationship. For more information on Operation: Military Kids and their programs, click here.

Onward, now, to our guest blogger, Natalie from Canada for a little perspective on what it's like to be a volunteer at YMCA Camp Erdman:

Volunteering at the YMCA Camp Erdman just goes to show that you are never too old, or too young for that matter, to have fun. I arrived on the island of Oahu October 4^th (first time to Hawaii). It was late at night and I was a bit jet legged but happy to have finally arrived. The drive to camp was overwhelming as I enjoyed the warm air, much nicer than the weather that I had just come from, sleet. Waking up, I couldn’t believe how beautiful my new home was; mountains to one side and ocean to the other. The day was to get even better as some of the staff were going skydiving, so why not, what better way to spend my first day? Another first for me. Over the course of my first few weeks I enjoyed working with the rather zainy staff in the Camp’s kitchen and exploring the island in my off time. I soon got my bearings and learned the way of the land only to find out that every day you find something new. Hiking, swimming, skydiving, snorkelling, surfing, shark diving, parks, beaches, and so much more. After a while I also started helping out with the Camp’s school programs and weekend camps. It’s amazing how you feel when you know that you have positively impacted another person’s life. I have only been here for a month in a half now but still have so much more to see and do. I have met many interesting people with truly wonderful hearts and I look forward to the next month in a half. Life is an adventure that you get to lead.

Aloha, Natalie

Natalie is one of our volunteer participants involved in our three-month volunteer program. If you would like to volunteer at YMCA Camp Erdman, please contact Valdon McKinnon for more information.