HULBERT, Okla.- Applications are open for the 2025 Mvskoke Language Immersion Camp, happening on June 9-13 at Sequoyah State Park. Jordan Squire (Mvskoke), Mvskoke Language Program Project Media Coordinator, sat down with Mvskoke Media to talk about this year’s camp, what campers can expect, and the importance of the camp for Mvskoke children.
Squire shared this year’s camp theme: “Vculvke-tate Emvyetv,” which translates to “the ways of the Ancestors.”
“Our camp this year we tried to steer more into providing activities for students so they’re not full in language classes all the time. They’re getting the history, they’re getting the storytelling and we’re providing a few little social activities,” Squire said.
They try not to repeat previous year’s activities but try to do something interesting for the students. This year, for example, the arts and crafts activities will incorporate weaving. Within those five days campers can expect cultural storytelling, arts and crafts, and cultural and language activities. This year the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Cultural Preservation will also help with activities for the students.
With nine capable teachers and four fluent first language speakers, this year for the first time, they are able to offer a full language immersion experience. The camp works to place campers into a group of peers based on their skill, and children will take an assessment for placement. Squire knows that learning the Mvskoke language can be hard, and at times it can be intimidating, but she’s glad to create a safe place for students to come and learn the language without having to worry about making mistakes. “I think it helped their confidence too because they were put in with the kids that were in the same level of knowledge when it came to language. So I think it really helped boost the kids’ confidence too of speaking,” Squire said.
“One of the cool things about our camp is most of the majority of our program, we’re all still learning the language. So I like that these kids can feel comfortable talking to us or asking us questions.”
During camp, teachers work to make it as inclusive as possible. Squire has noticed veteran Mvskoke teacher KoKo Lowe always making sure that no student is left behind or sitting alone. Squire see’s that the quietest ones often end up becoming the loudest by the end, which she is happy to see.
“It’s good that we provide a camp that’s like a safe zone and people trust us with their kids to come learn the language. It’s sad when you see a lot of kids that have been in the program for a long time and then you see them age out, you could tell they’re sad about it,” Squire said. “One of the things too is at the end of the camp most of the kids aren’t ready to go home because they like being out there with their friends and the new friends that they made too, but you could see a lot of the kids they really do have that interest in the language.”
In her time working with the immersion camp, Squire has noticed that the camp also gets lots of returning campers. “I’m glad they come back, they like our camp, they tell their friends about it and they get connected with other individuals that are interested in learning the language too,” Squire said. “I know a lot of our students that we do have come into our camp until they can age out.”
The Mvskoke Language Program loves to see the citizens reaching out about their camp and how much excitement they see in the eagerness in the children’s eye of wanting to come on board for this year’s camp. Squire notices they are not there just for the camp but that they also want to learn the Mvskoke language, and are eager to do so. She also likes that the middle school and high school students are focused and take their time out of the week for this camp.
This year the department is offering a five day camp experience, and through annual feedback they’ve learned most campers want to learn more about Mvskoke history and culture. The program takes their feedback seriously and the parents feedback as well, Squire said that they want to do better each time.
“We want them to know that we have the resources to learn the language. We may not teach you officially how to speak but we can give you little stepping stones. Because learning the language is a lot of self study too, and we do a good job at providing that for the kids,” Squire said.
She’s glad to see the impact that they bring to these students and she knows that some of them are from out of state. Squire says that she’s glad that their families and their students put it as a priority to learn the language and culture even when some travel 100 miles away.
Applications for attending are due on May 2 by 5:00 p.m. Applications can be mailed in or dropped by the Mvskoke Language Program office or turn in the applications on their website linked below.
The camp is open for students in 7th-12th grade, and campers cannot be 18 prior to June 9, 2025. Applications are open to citizens on the reservation and beyond, just as long as they are enrolled tribal members of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. A 200-word essay on the “importance of preserving the Mvskoke language,” is also part of the application.
For more information about the Mvskoke Language Immersion Camp or about the Mvskoke Language Program go to MvskokeOpunvkv.com or contact the office at 918-732-7649.
