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Summary about Kursa
Founded in 1974, Kursa is a summer high school based on furthering
Latvian culture and language skills. Days at Kursa are filled with
classes on Latvian grammar, history, folk dancing and singing.
Though on the onset this looks intimidating, classes are only held
for half of each day. Afternoons are dedicated to sports and
elective activities, and every night there are camp-wide games and
entertainment. The end result is a lot of fun combined with extreme
educational value. The primary age group for students is 14-18, so
the students have the opportunity to utilize and develop social
skills on a level far from a summer spent at home. While the school
only runs six weeks out of the summer, the friendships formed at
Kursa last a lifetime. Throughout this interactive brochure, you
will find in depth information about Kursa. In the near future
pictures, registration information, and notice of upcoming
promotional events in your area will be added so check back soon.
Scholastics
The educational program at Kursa is based on maximizing each
student’s capacity to utilize class time, while at the same time,
maintaining the constant theme of Latvian language and culture
through all activities. Classes are composed of small groups divided
by ability in such a way that a student entering Kursa with little
or no previous Latvian understanding, will gain as much as a student
who is already fluent. Lesson plans are set up by experienced
teachers to create a system of learning that will balance interest
and content for there is an understanding throughout that it is
after all the students’ summer vacation. While there is homework,
the assignments are very stimulating and are designed to increase
vocabulary and grammar skills through exercises. In addition to
this, the repetition and practice offered by the Kursa atmosphere
create a solid foundation from which to advance one’s language
abilities.
History classes are offered by the possessor of the North American
continent’s most brilliant minds Victors Pupols. Pupols offers two
history classes, one in English, and one in Latvian depending on the
ability of the students. Both offer a comprehensive approach to the
fascinating history of Latvia from its centuries of serfdom through
the present period of economic development. The valor of Pupols’
lectures, have left Kursa students spellbound for over a decade of
summers.
Dancing and Singing
Aside from language and history, Kursa students also engage in daily
folk dancing and singing lessons. Folk dancing lessons begin with
the introduction of the polka and basic dance technique. By the end
of Kursa, first year students and older students alike are dancing
complicated choreographies.
Singing lessons are based on Latvian folk songs, Latvian Choir music
and more recently composed Latvian music.
At the end of the first three week term, and at the conclusion of
the school, large performances are put on in order to exhibit the
newly learned skills. Very frequently students of Kursa move on to
Latvian choirs and dance groups. (Over 70% of Seattle’s acclaimed
Trejdeksnitis dance group have attended Kursa)
Electives
Every weekday afternoon students participate in two elective classes
of their choosing. The electives run in one-week segments. Electives
include the following:
Pottery
Photography
Jewelry making (metal work)
Stain Glass work
Kayaking
Weaving
Woodworking
Archery
Radio Program
Kripitinas (school newspaper)
Year Book
Fishing
Sports
Sports are very popular at Kursa. Be it in free time or in
officially sanctioned tournaments, students spend at the very least
an hour a day in fierce athletic competition. The Kursa grounds
include a soccer field, a baseball diamond, a basketball court, a
swimming pool, volleyball courts and pin-pong tables. Tennis courts
are also available at the nearby high school. From varsity athletes
to those that are just learning a sport, the Kursa spirit allows for
everyone to have a good time at any given sport. Between morning
exercises, folk dancing, and sports, it can be said that most
students leave Kursa in some of the best shape of their lives and a
great tan.
Soccer
Ultimate Frisbee
Football
Swimming
Basketball
Kickball
Tennis
Water polo
Tautas Bumba (dodge ball)
Nightly Activities
Every week night at Kursa, there is a camp wide activity. These
activities cover a large range of entertainment, from sports to
Latvian games to exhibitions of one kind or another. Over the years
an array of creative and fun nightly activities has been generated
which have become a part of the Kursa tradition. These events are
scheduled throughout the six weeks of the school to offer maximum
enjoyment and educational value. Some of the more exciting events
such as poetry night, happen twice, once each term. Listed below are
a few of these activities:
Poetry Night
Capture the flag
Casino Night
Talent show
Meza Spel
Counselor Hunt
Student Hunt
Song War
Improv Karaoke
Theatre Sports
Debate Night
Campfire
Skit Night
Zolite Tournament
Polka Marathon
Rotalas
Acis Mirksan and other Latvian games
Relays
Camp VS. Pupols Chess Tournament
Field Trips
The location of Kursa on the Olympic Peninsula puts it in short
distance from a number of the most spectacular scenic sites on the
West Coast. While a portion of the student body is from Washington
State, weekly fieldtrips allow the whole camp to experience the
greatness of the surrounding terrain. The trips are full days and
involve all of the students piling into school buses for the
relatively short drives. Through out the summer, there are trips to
Mt. Rainier, Mt. St.Helens, One of the many nearby beaches, Seattle,
and the Mason County Fair. These trips are two fold; to take
advantage of the site seeing opportunities the location of Kursa
provides, and to give students a break from camp life, if only
briefly.
Weekends
Weekends at Kursa began Friday night with a celebration of the
completion of the school week with a theme dinner. The themes are
set up by the students and involve elaborate decoration and costumes
(see pictures below). Saturday is given as a day of rest, and while
there are occasionally classes during the first half of the day to
make up for the classes missed during the field trip, students have
the rest of the day to work on homework, finish projects or take a
nap from the busy week. Every Saturday night there is a much awaited
Kursa Dance, where students are given the opportunity to take part
in social interaction in the form of dancing to some of the best
music on earth. Dances are definitely a highlight of Kursa for
students because unlike high school dances at home, the atmosphere
is very light hearted and allows for more fun.
Sunday is a free day for students to sleep in, do laundry, and
prepare for another week of classes. Every Sunday night there is a
non denominational service which is put on to a large extent by the
students with the guidance of the pastor.
Traditions
A number of traditions have formed at Kursa through the years, and
though they are too many to be explained here, below is a list that
may be of some interest.
Naves Forele
‘Rocket to the moon’
Roof Ball
Kursa Lake Walk
Kursas Ghosts
Pranks
Yvette / Suzette
Kursa Atmosphere
Just as American high schools develop tradition and atmosphere, so
has Kursa. Through its 28 year existence, there has evolved a
general glow to the camp that reverberates through every student.
The experience of being surrounded by new friends, in the middle of
the woods, away from parents and the distractions of city life has a
profound positive impact.. The gains from a summer at Kursa are
evident on many levels. Culturally, students gain an understanding
of the Latvian language and culture. Socially, students are afforded
the opportunity to meet many new friends and interact with the
Latvian community. Though many students choose to attend for four
summers and graduate, even those that only come for a summer or two
mark the experience as one of the better in their lives. From a
parent’s perspective Kursa is a educational, safe and positive place
for their kids to spend a summer. From the student’s perspective,
it’s the most fun they will ever have in a summer.
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