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ROCKVILLE ? As school children trundle back into classes, and Sunday schools are abuzz with activities, children from Camp Faith will be better prepared. They attended summer camp for seven weeks from June 27 through Aug. 12. The campground was the buildings, playgrounds and classrooms of Faith UMC, and a tennis facility and Old Farm Pool adjacent to the church.

This camp was different. The children, aged 5 to 11, played, studied and were cared for in both Mandarin Chinese and English. Every day, campers explored the traditions of China through activities that included singing, storytelling, exercise, poetry, drama, reading, cooking, abacus, math, Chinese yoyo, Chinese dance and chess, according to the promotional brochure.

The bilingual camp, led by the Rev. Shirley I. Chow, who was the principal of Rockville Chinese School for 11 years, was based on the need to understand the diversity of people. 'We have a vision to embrace the cultures of East and West in one place while nurturing our children with Christian love,' she said.

'We emphasize we are all people of God, so we love each other no matter who you are, how you look or what language you speak,' Chow said.

                                                                  -Across the Conference is compiled 
and written by Linda Worthington