Camp Sunshine
Camp Sunshine is a five day camp for ages 7-13 that celebrates world cultures through the exploration of language, arts, crafts, music, dance, song, yoga, nutrition, storytelling, poetry, literature, and traditions.
The essence of Camp Sunshine will be an honoring of the unique light within each child, while fostering a sense of oneness with humanity. Our mission is to create a camp experience where each child is supported in realizing their highest selves, and discovering their own individual gifts and strengths, while learning to contribute, in their own way, to a harmonious, diverse, creative, and collaborative future
Camp Sunshine Daily Schedule
- 9:00-9:30 Opening Circle
- 9:30-10:00 Morning Movement (yoga, stretching, etc.)
- 10:00-11:00 Activity A (drumming, art, etc.)
- 11:00-11:30 Snack
- 11:30-12:30 Activity B (dance, crafts, etc.)
- 12:30-12:400 Gratitude Circle
- 12:40-1:40 Lunch and Free Time
- 1:40-2:10 Drum Jam
- 2:10-3:10 Activity C (gardening, songwriting, etc.)
- 3:10-3:30 Clean Up
- 3:30-4:00 Closing Circle
The Teachers
Kari Keesee
Kari Keesee is a native Texan and long time Austinite that has followed her interest in cultures across the world to places such as India, Thailand, Nepal, England, Mexico, and Guatemala. Kari received her B.A. in Cultural Anthropology with a minor in Spanish at the University of Texas. While indigenous cultures were her primary focus, she also studied a variety of subjects including Eastern Philosophies and Religions.
It was with the birth of her daughter, while living in Guatemala, that her focus shifted from her personal interest in the cultures of the world, to a desire to share her love and respect for the Earth and her people with children. Kari strives to nurture in others their own natural curiosity of our world, while preserving and cultivating the innate sense of oneness we all share.
Kari is a homeschooling mother whose interests also include sustainable living, holistic health care and nutrition, the healing arts, alternative parenting and education, spirituality, and tending to, with the help of her daughter, their organic garden and chickens in her backyard in South Austin. She enjoys a daily exploration of her personal yoga practice, and is excited about sharing the many gifts of yoga with children and teens, as a certified Radiant Child Yoga instructor.
Sunny Suit
I am a native of San Francisco but consider myself a citizen of the world. I have studied and taught throughout the world including Italy, Mexico, Japan, and West Africa. I have recently moved to Austin and am settling in comfortably with the help of Texas hospitality, Barton Springs, live music, South Congress Street, barbecue, and my lovely partner, Noah. I graduated from San Francisco State University, magna cum laude with a B.A. in Spanish and a minor in Latin American Studies. I also received my teaching credential from SF State in secondary education.
I have worked as an educator for over 15 years from pre-school to adult education. This past year was life changing for me as I discovered my dream job teaching kindergarten. Everyday has been a privilege as I witness my students joyfully discovering themselves and the world around them. I became an educator because I believe that through a strong sense of self confidence and compassion for others we can achieve anything—education is the key to gaining that awareness of self. My goal is to empower my students to become self-directed, life long learners who will possess the skills and desire to succeed in academics and beyond.
I incorporate music, foreign language, dance, song, yoga, artistry, cooking, gardening, and role-play into the curriculum to engage students, connect them to their own cultural backgrounds and to introduce them to other world cultures. I set high expectations for my students and provide them with opportunities to experience continuous success. I feel a deep sense of joy and pride when I see the spark of accomplishment in my student’s eyes. I know my students can accomplish anything they want and I make sure they know that everyday!