The Global Language Camp is scheduled in Austin starting this weekend. Now in its seventh year, Global Language Camp started out as Global Volunteers in 1984, as a private, non-profit group with the goal of helping to establish a foundation for peace through mutual international understanding.

This group provides volunteers who come into a community from throughout the world, and the global volunteers actually pay a fee to participate in local camps. Volunteers come to Austin each summer for a week to teach English as a Second Language to children and their families with limited English-speaking ability.

It is a Minnesota-based organization. Global Language Camp is free to students and families.

This year, 15 Global Volunteers and their leader will be here to assist students with math, reading, and English — in a school setting but with lots of opportunities for fun included. Many local volunteers help each year, as well. On Saturday, participants will be welcomed from 2 to 3 p.m. at the college apartments with a dinner prepared by students’ families at 6:30 p.m.

At 11 a.m. Sunday, a Spanish mass will be held at Queen of Angels Catholic Church, followed by a trip to the Spam Museum and lunch at 12:30 p.m.

Volunteers will visit classrooms at 3 p.m., and a welcome picnic with be held at 5 p.m.

A van will take participants on a tour of the community from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, with an 8 p.m. walk through the J.C. Hormel Nature Center.

On Tuesday, take an economic and social look at the community in Room C-108 at Riverland. Dessert and coffee will be served. Former Austin Mayor Bonnie Rietz and retired Development Corporation of Austin CEO George Brophy will speak.

Two volunteers will take gifts of drink and food to each participant’s parents at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 30 and Thursday, July 31.

The events will cap off with a celebration at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1 at the Hormel Historic Home.

For camp details, contact Corey at 437-4563 or Valentina Gallegos at 219-0098 or 434-9003.