What Is Krak Teet 4 Kids?

Krak Teet 4 Kids is a 6-week summer camp held at the Moses Jackson Community Center in Savannah, Georgia.

We teach young people about their own history and culture, and how they have cousins all over the world whose foods, language, music, beliefs, and traditions mirror their own.

We improve literacy, interview elders, and explore storytelling as a way to connect with the past. Each week features a different theme, allowing campers to dive deeper into specific aspects of their heritage. We incorporate hands-on activities like basket weaving and traditional plant medicine, and invite guests of various backgrounds to share their cultural knowledge and experiences.

Through group discussions and collaborative projects, we foster a sense of community and belonging. Kids learn to appreciate their own culture while recognizing the similarities and differences they share with others around the globe. At the end of the six weeks, families are invited to a showcase event where campers present what they’ve learned.

Krak Teet 4 Kids is more than just a summer camp; it’s a transformative experience that empowers the next generation to embrace their identity and celebrate their heritage.

IMPROVE LITERACY

Literacy is improved academically and culturally. The way most of our students speak at home is not accepted in school assignments, but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong. We view it as another language. By helping them see themselves as bilingual and experts of their native tongue, they’re more open to learning the rules of “textbook English.” Our journal prompts alternate between writing in the two languages. We emphasize the importance of literacy not just as a skill but as a means of preserving and sharing cultural narratives. Campers practice reading and writing through engaging materials that reflect their heritage, enhancing their skills while deepening their connection to their roots.

INTERVIEW ELDERS

Students learn essential skills such as preparing for interviews, conducting meaningful conversations, and understanding the follow-up process to preserve the stories they gather. And they’re allowed to ask WHATEVER they want to.

This hands-on training equips them with the confidence and techniques needed to engage effectively with elders in their community. They develop active listening skills, learn to ask insightful questions, and gain an appreciation for the importance of storytelling in preserving cultural heritage.

By participating in this program, students not only become adept interviewers but also forge meaningful relationships with their community’s history bearers, enriching their own understanding of identity and culture while cultivating a sense of pride.

INVESTIGATE OUR CULTURE

What makes Gullah Geechee unique? What did our elders and ancestors eat? How did they dance? What were their beliefs? How did they dress? Why did they do it this way? And how has our culture evolved over time? These are all cultural components that we investigate.

INVITE LOCAL CULTURE KEEPERS

SUPPORT KRAK TEET 4 KIDS

We don’t charge the campers anything at all. We supply all the snacks, art and writing supplies, recording equipment, etc. In order to scale and sustain our success, we need donations. This will allow us to continue the magic we’re already making, while also paying our invited culture keepers, hiring additional support staff, operating in more than one community center, and adding field trips to our itinerary.

We’re hoping to raise $25,000 before May 2025.

If you’d like to be invited as a culture keeper or sign up to become support staff, please email: HeyCousin@Krakteet.org

To hire Trelani for speaking, workshops, panels, or more, click here.

To sign your child up for Krak Teet 4 Kids, please apply in-person at the Moses Jackson Community Center: 1410 Richards Street, Savannah, GA, 31415 (912-651-6785)