Day 9

 Day 9: Last Day of Camp

TAMUK graduate students left The Posada Colonial Hotel around 8:15 in the morning to head to Albizu University- Mayaguez for the last day of camp. We were once again greeted with a warm welcome from the Albizu graduate students and their faculty/ staff. Students then dispersed to the different centers and waited for the kids to arrive.

Once everyone was checked in, the Albizu students led warm up activities and after we enjoyed some snacks with the kids. Since it was the last day of camp, students administered screeners to see if any progress had been made by the children since the beginning of camp. Graduate students also had the opportunity to do hearing screenings on the kids. We were able to learn some tips and tricks from the Albizu Professors especially when it came to using the otoscope. Towards the end of camp, the kids were split into different groups and created gingerbread houses with the graduate clinicians. It was so fun to see the kids showcase their artistic capabilities and imagination. We even had a few kids that had never built a gingerbread house before and their joy and excitement filled the room.

After everyone was done, the Albizu students and staff handed out Christmas gifts to the kids and then we all enjoyed one last lunch together. Before we headed back to the hotel, the faculty and staff of Albizu presented all of the graduate students with certificates of completion and bags of goodies and souvenirs. It was so sad to have to say goodbye to our new friends but I am so thankful to be able to keep in touch with them through social media.

Once we arrived back at the hotel, we were able to take some time to relax and decompress after an eventful day. Later that evening we all went to dinner one last time and discussed our favorite and most memorable parts of the trip. After dinner, we went back to the hotel to pack and get to bed for an early morning and a day full of travel. Can’t wait to be back in TEXAS! -Harley C.