Program Description

For many of our Counselors, their trip to Camp Siberia is likely to be the only time they will ever visit Russia. In order to help them gain a greater appreciation of Russian culture, the Counselors spend a few days in Moscow and St. Petersburg, visiting such sites as the Kremlin, St. Basil’s, the Hermitage, the Church on Spilled Blood, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the canals of St. Petersburg and the Summer Palace. Then they fly overnight to Novosibirsk (at 5 hours, roughly the equivalent of a NY-Seattle flight!), where the Counselors’ focus shifts entirely to the children in their care!

As Counselors, the American kids are teamed one-on-one with a Russian child for activities including sports, arts & crafts, music, hikes and friendship. Although Counselors and Campers do not share a common language, the connections made – through smiles, sign language and undivided attention – are miraculous. For the rest of their lives, they always know that someone, somewhere really loved them. That human connection provides a never-ending spark of hope, no matter what the future holds.

Itinerary

For 2009, the departure date is July 6, and the return date is July 25.
Here is the detailed itinerary for 2008:

Depart Monday, July 7, 2008
Return Saturday, July 26, 2008

Day 1 Depart Seattle for Moscow
Day 2 Arrive Moscow, bus to hostel, dinner in Central Moscow
Day 3 Visit Red Square, St. Basil’s, The Kremlin, and Central Moscow
Day 4 Boat trip on the Moscow River, Tretyakov Gallery, dinner on Old Arbat Street, night train to St. Petersburg
Day 5 Arrive St. Petersburg, Hermitage, Stroll along Nevsky Prospect
Day 6 Day trip to the Summer Palace, Church on Spilled Blood, shop, boat ride through the canals of St. Petersburg
Day 7 St. Isaac’s Cathedral, fly back to Moscow and on to Novosibirsk
Day 8 Arrive Novosibirsk early morning, transport to host family, rest, eat, train to dacha
Day 9 Preparation day for Camp Siberia

Day 10 CAMP SIBERIA SESSION I, DAY 1
Day 11 Session I Day 2
Day 12 Session I Day 3
Day 13 Session I Day 4. Train to Novosibirsk, evening with host families
Day 14 Rest Day, River trip to island, picnic, play, train back to dacha

Day 15 CAMP SIBERIA SESSION II, DAY 1
Day 16 Session II Day 2
Day 17 Session II Day 3
Day 18 Session II Day 4 Say good-bye to Campers
Day 19 Clean and pack up the dacha and take the train back to Novosibirsk, Goodbye Party and evening with host families
Day 20 Fly to Moscow and HOME!