Summer camp children walking up the stairs into the Stars and Stripes building (Al Green)

Stars and Stripes Europe had the pleasure of hosting Baumholder’s Wetzel SAC summer camp. Three groups of Kindergarten through fifth graders visited Stripes Headquarters on Kleber Kaserne to learn about our newspaper and magazines by participating in a variety of fun activities.

For their first activity, they learned all about writing articles and designing magazines from our Publishing, Media and Design team: the people behind our children’s magazine, “Dandelions.” The children had the opportunity to decorate their own “Dandelions” cover. They used their creativity and showed off their special interests which gave our team some great ideas for future magazines!

Group of children designing emojis, sitting at a table (Kristen Thoennes)

After learning about the travel and lifestyle side of Stars and Stripes, the children met Lara K., one of our journalists. She demonstrated one of the roles of journalists through a “Fact versus Opinion” activity. She read phrases to the children, and they had to say if it was a fact or an opinion. The kids did really well! We bet there are some budding journalists in our community!

Next, they were guided to a fun activity which was the highlight for all the kids! We set up a mini bowling and the kids took turns rolling the ball knock down the pins. After all the fun, Rene from our IT department showed different computer parts and explained how they work together to make computers function.

Student throwing a bowling down the hallway (Kristen Thoennes)

Kids bowling in the hallway (Kristen Thoennes)

Finally, our Engagement department taught the children a classic activity using old newspapers. We crafted newspaper hats! We also created paper airplanes and had a little contest to see who could launch theirs the farthest.

Newspaper hat placed on a table with a Stars and Stripes sticker on the front. (Jennifer K.)

Group of five students and two chaperones standing in front of interior Stars and Stripes sign (Jennifer K.)

Students and Stripes’ worker coloring at the table (Jennifer K.)

We had a blast hosting these young minds and showing off all that Stripes does for the military community here in Europe!