Italy Just Got A Lot Closer Via 'Camp Italia'

No need to cross the Atlantic this summer for your children to experience Italy.

Garden City residents Maria Arianas and Donna Fontanetta are launching “Camp Italia,” an Italian summer camp for children ages 4-13. The four-day program will be held July 25-28 at the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island in Garden City.

For Arianas and Fontanetta the camp is a dream come true. The women met on the soccer field and discovered many common interests. Both children of immigrants who spoke Italian before they spoke English, they’re proud of their heritage. Their vision is to celebrate and carry on the richness of the Italian language and culture.

Fontanetta taught Italian in conjunction with the Italic Institute of America for more than 10 years while Arianas serves on the board of the Long Island chapter of the National Organization of Italian American Women. Both women have backgrounds in business. Arianas worked in finance for MTV for more than 20 years and Fontanetta’s experience is in banking.

The program was designed to be both interactive and educational, combining Italian language immersion with a creative, natural learning environment. Children will hear and speak Italian and learn about aspects of Italian life, traditions, music, history and geography. Children will learn via age appropriate games, activities, songs and skits.

The focus is to have fun while learning about Italy’s rich history, which wouldn’t be complete without a taste of authentic Italian cuisine.

Veronica Mallozzi’s 10-year-old daughter, Hallie, attended the camp’s pilot program last year. She was drawn to the program by her husband’s reverence for his culture.

“My husband’s mother was born in Italy, so he is a first generation American,” shared Mallozzi. “I think it’s important for children to know where they come from. I believe it makes them a richer person to understand their background.”

Mallozzi, whose own family has been in this country for generations, appreciated all of the stories her mother-in-law has shared through the years, specifically stories of how as a 16-year-old her mother-in-law hid in tunnels during World War II.

From an educational perspective Mallozzi liked the idea of the camp since her older daughters have pursued Advanced Placement (AP) studies at Garden City High School where she said they not only learned the language but studied the culture rigorously.

The founders are passionate about passing on the knowledge and cultural traditions that form the cornerstone of Italian heritage. Future plans include theme-based workshops, which will be offered throughout the school year. 

For further information or to register call 855-CAMP-IT-1 or email info@campitaliausa.org.