From October 27th to October 30th I attended the "Encuentro de Estudiantes conectados" in the town of Chapadmalal. The event consisted of presentations workshops and recreational activities that took place over three days. It was attended by AROUND 1,500 students and 500 teachers from all over the province of Buenos Aires. The experience began with the busjourney to the facilities in Chapadmalal. On the way there the teachers and students on the bus starting exchanging the first words. I was in charge of three students from General Belgrano. Appart from us, there were six more teachers and eighteen more students from the towns of General Belgrano, Ranchos and Maipú. By the time we arrived at our destination, we had become one single cheerful group. We accomodated and stayed together for the whole event, for better or for worse.
On arrival we could not hide our disappointment when we checked into our accomodation. It was a sturdy building which had seen its best many years before we came, especially as regards heating. After dinner and a shower, however, we accepted it for what it should be: a place where to crash at night.
The following morning we started with an early opening of the event with some gifted teenage musicians playing the national anthem on the violin, rappers going on about July 9th, speeches, and all. After that, a walk on the beach, and then, the whole afternoon with presentations of our students´projects. Seeing the resourceful and creative ways in which other teachers devised netbook- based tasks was really stimulating and inspiring - But thank God we were divided into several different classrooms. It would have taken for ever to watch and debate them all! Our racked brains and rumbling stomachs couldn´t have taken it any longer. Children regained strength after a plentiful meal and a matineé dance arranged for them at the central premises. We, teachers had a hard time keeping our eyes open until their bedtime.
The third was the most stimulating of the three days. Our students were taken to art, video and teenage issues workshops- I know, no students after two whole days looking after them, God that was smashing!!! yet, I did not mean to say that this was the best part of the day. This was just the start :) .The cherry on the cake was a two-setion video editing workshop only for teachers, and for teachers only. We had some camera operating geniouses teaching us how to spice up our video productions, and then a fun assigment for closing. (Loved it!) After dinner there was a special event, a bonfire. It was overwhelming to see the 1,500 students all assembled in a huge ring around the fire, singing songs and laughing. The dance party that came after the bonfire did not catch us teachers unready this time. It was a matter of accepting our new nightly role: half-awake chaperons. Getting students to bed was not easy, but once we managed to do it, we dragged our weary feet to the coffee shop and had a well-earned "teachers only" moment.
The last day, we spent in "Aquarium". It was fun, but since it was also going to be our last day together we were all sarting to miss one another already. At about 5 pm we set off home.
Whenever I get back from a rewarding journey I cannot help the bitter-sweet feeling of having had a great time, but not being there any more. Nothing like a hot meal, shower and bed to cure my achy heart. The next morning I found myself resuming my routine with renewed energies and inspiration.
GREAT EXPERIENCE!
http://www.youtube.com/user/historyteachers#p/u/3/fOki3qAZe4g
1- Napoleon was born in... 
