In the heart of Center City Philadelphia, amidst the bustling streets and towering buildings, there existed a shared passion among three mothers – Keisha, Zulema, and Erica. Each of us hailed from different corners of Latin America and little did we know that we would soon form a bond over our heritage that was unbreakable. 

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We believed fervently in the importance of maintaining our children’s connection to their heritage and fostering a genuine affinity for the Spanish language from a young age. As we watched our children grow at their Spanish immersion preschool program, we individually felt a deep yearning to continue to instill within them the same love and appreciation for our roots beyond their preschool years. 

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It was on a sunny day in September 2023, at a post-summer class reunion at a local playground, that we all instantly clicked. We revelled in the beauty of the Spanish language and the vibrant tapestry of our shared culture, finding solace in the richness of our connection.

 

We discovered that each of us spent a significant time over the summer ensuring that our children's Spanish knowledge cemented before attending Kindergarten in the fall.

We realized we were independently worried that once in an all English environment, our kids would slowly lose their Spanish speaking abilities and connection to their Latin roots.

 

We shared our dreams of creating something truly special— a summer camp where children could immerse themselves fully in the wonders of Spanish language, Latin culture and traditions without needing to leave the city of Philadelphia to gain that experience. And so, with a mother’s determination burning bright in our hearts to continue our children's bilingual exposure, we embarked on this  journey together. With unwavering resolve, we set about turning our vision into reality.

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We envisioned a place where young minds could flourish, where laughter and learning would intertwine seamlessly. We carefully crafted a program that would capture the imagination of young learners and ignite within them a passion for all things Latin, drawn from our diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We enlisted the help of a dedicated team of educators, artists, and storytellers, all sharing in their enthusiasm for the project.

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And thus, Somos came to life, a one-of-a-kind summer camp tailored for school-aged children, immersing children in Spanish language and Latin cultures, nestled in the heart of Philadelphia.