Each year we come together with over 800 children who are attending about 25 Summer Camps on all five boroughs of New York City. The Camps are administered by the New York City Parks Department and they kindly arrange for all the children to get bussed into Cunningham Park.
Peace Run organizers from over 20 countries create booths where the children come to learn about that country and play some kind of game or complete an activity.
Each child is given a passport and they receive a stamp for each country booth visited and for each activity successfully completed.
We were honored to have the presence of State Representative David Weprin, a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly, representing District 24 in Queens since 2010.
Chandini Bachman spoke about why we were inspired to present Mr. Weprin our Torch-Bearer award, highlighting his long time record of public service to ensure District 24 is represented and served at the state level.
Mr. Weprin kindly encouraged everyone saying how much he enjoyed serving such a diverse constituency and how much he enjoys meeting with speaking with the people of Queens.
A little later New York City Councilman Rory Lancman came by to meet with everyone and he got us all running with the torch around the park.
Fortunately most of us could keep up.
Learning traditional games from Russia.
A happy clown from Germany.
Atmatyagi from the US entertained and educated with music.
Sadanand from Ireland taught percussion.
Devaki from Canada.
Pipasa from US embarks on another masterpiece with face paint.
Adesh from Switzerland.
Happy campers visit the Latin America booth.
How do you like it?
Radha tries a little painting on herself.
Tulasi the great magician from Austria.
Finding the home of Koala's in Australia.
Gumboot throwing, a traditional sport in Australia.
Learning traditional Russian folk songs.
Learning all about Canada.
Urdhacheta from Singapore with a Chinese dragon.
Yoga in France.
Shooting baskets in Canada.
Getting a passport stamped in Ukraine.
Learning about music.
Sneaking through elastic in the Balkans.
Visiting Ukraine through pictures.
Each of the Summer Camps produced beautiful banners.
Playing soccer with Germany and Poland.
Making paper torches in Mongolia.
Arpan led runners throughout the park.
Unscrambling words in Canada.
A bonafide Chinese Dragon in Cunningham Park.
Rolling coconuts through an obstacle course in Hawaii!
Salil, Shambhu and Arpan join together to hold a torch they been holding (figuratively at least) since 1987.
Visiting Czech Republic.
To all the NYC Parks Summer Campers - Thanks so much for coming.
