International Towne

(Clicking on the Countries will take you to a lesson plan for that country;
clicking on the words in blue will take you to a website with that craft and pictures)

I will provide info here on International Towne and then I will post the crafts and activities for each country in a separate post.

International Towne helps middle school “world citizens” become well prepared for the financial realities of the global marketplace.
Students learn about world trade by running an "international marketplace" comprised of 12 countries. Countries represented in the camp are Argentina, Australia, China, the Czech Republic, Germany, Ghana, India, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Switzerland and Zimbabwe.

Using offices as "countries," International Towne are located on the second floor of the Young Americans Bank Building in Cherry Creek, 311 Steele St., Denver, Colorado.

Along with activities, games and international cuisine, the students learn about issues such as the scarcity of resources and why nations trade. They also learn what it is like to be a banker in Switzerland, freight forwarder in Germany, or an artisan in India, by working as producers in various foreign countries.

"The program will immerse kids in the global economy and put it at a level they can understand,"

As in real life, the students will pay tariffs and get their passports stamped as they travel from country to country. Organizers hope the camp will help broaden students' awareness of cultures and customs of other countries, enriching their knowledge of economics and geography and offering exposure to global career opportunities.
* In the first training session,
~ Children turn in a completed job application
~ They have an interview with an adult volunteer.
~ Children nominate and vote on Towne laws,
~ Play several group games out of the curriculum,
~ enjoy an International Taste Test,
~ Learn about the history of flags and their symbolic meanings.

* In the second training,
~ Children receive their job assignments and job training for their day in Towne.
~ They create a regional banner with their personal flags.
~ The country Presidents will conduct a Country Meeting where, as a group, they will
write TV, radio, and newspaper ads, and prepare a country presentation.

Curriculum:

* Young American has created a curriculum to guide your student at home in learning about International Towne.

Each child participating will receive a student workbook and passport, which is included in the cost of registration. These will be filled out while reviewing the curriculum.

The boys had a fun day at International Towne. They shared a lot with me on our drive home and I learned a lot as well. Alex was a Jeweler of Israel; he made custom necklaces and bracelets to sell. Brenden was an Artisan of Ghana, he helped tourists make masks and he also sold souvenirs. They made paper skeletons that symbolize happiness in Mexico. To receive their “cultural credit,” (more about this will follow below) they could choose from making a Calaveras Puppet or creating a Papel Picado Day of the Dead decoration.






Here is a little info on each country and what they offered:

AMERILAT REGION - Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico
Currency: AmeriLat note

Brazil

Global fact: Brazil has won the World Cup Soccer title more than any other country in the world.

International Towne function: Game Attendants admit fans to participate in an interactive "World Cup" soccer game and sell souvenirs.


Costa Rica

Global fact: Costa Rica's economy is heavily reliant on its production of bananas, coffee and sugar.

International Towne function: Greenhouse Attendants care for a tropical greenhouse, teach a Rainforest Cultural Activity and sell nature crafts and souvenirs.


Mexico

Global fact: Festivals have been an important part of Mexican village life for centuries, many of which celebrate the village's patron saint and blend Indian and Christian traditions.

International Towne function: Artisans teach about Dia de los Muertos and sell refreshments


PACASIA REGION - Australia, Singapore, China, India, Japan
Currency: PacAsia Note


Australia

Global fact: Australia is home to the 1,243 mile Great Barrier Reef and the Aboriginal people.

International Towne function: Artisans teach an Aboriginal Dot Art Cultural Activity and sell souvenirs


Singapore

Global fact: In addition to being the world's busiest seaport, banking and the stock exchange generate over 25% of this city-state's income.

International Towne function: As the International Bank, Currency Exchange employees provide banking and currency exchange services for citizens and countries.


China

Global fact: China is one of the world's oldest cultures.

International Towne function: Museum Guides take visitors on an International Museum tour to study artifacts from each of the 16 International Towne countries. China also teaches an Abacus Cultural Activity and sells green tea and souvenirs.


India

Global fact: Bombay produces more films than anywhere in the world.

International Towne function: Projectionists show travelogues and foreign films from each of the 16 International Towne countries.


Japan

Global fact: Electronic components and computers comprise more than 50% of the electronic goods produced in Japan.

International Towne function: As the International Television Station, Photojournalists, Reporters and Ad Agents produce a world newscast, teach an Origami Cultural Activity and sell commercials and souvenirs.



MIDAFRI REGION - Egypt, Ghana, Israel
Currency: MidAfri note


Egypt

Global fact: Millions of people visit Egypt each year to view the pyramids, one of the 7 wonders of the world.

International Towne function: As the International Towne passport service, Passport Agents process passport and travel photos and sell cultural souvenirs representative of Egypt's old and rich culture.

Ghana

Global fact: Ghana is known as the Gold Coast for its reserves of gold that were mined by the Ashanti people. The Ashanti culture as well as other ethnic groups has developed a rich tradition of masks.

International Towne function: Artisans teach an African Mask-Making Cultural Activity and sell souvenirs.


Israel

Global fact: 25% of Israel's export earnings are derived from the production of diamonds. Israel is also the world's largest exporter of flowers.

International Towne function: Israel offers a "bazaar cart" with a variety of custom-made jewelry and flower seeds.


EURUSSIA REGION - Finland, Germany, Greece, Ukraine, United Kingdom
Currency: EuRussia note


Finland

Global fact: Finland is one of the top producers of softwood pine and spruce.
International Towne function: Carpenters handcraft wood products and sell souvenirs.


Germany

Global fact: Germany produces some of the world's finest cars and electrical equipment.

International Towne function: As the International Radio Station, Disc Jockeys/Ad Agents deliver music and news programming, take song requests and sell advertisements and souvenirs.


Greece

Global fact: Greece operates the largest merchant fleet in the world.

International Towne function: As the International Freight Forwarding Service, Freight Forwarders deliver goods and supplies to the other 15 International Towne countries, courier important documents and sell souvenirs.


Ukraine

Global fact: Fertile plains known as steppes cover almost 75% of Ukraine and much of this land is used to grow cereals.

International Towne function: Ukraine conducts an International Taste Test Cultural Activity with a variety of breads and spreads.


United Kingdom

Global fact: The UK is one of the world's leading sources for international news.

International Towne function: As the publisher of the International Newspaper, Reporters and Typists/Ad Agents report on world news, and sell ads and souvenirs.