In appreciation of community and education leaders in Orange County for developing a show and tell program to introduce dreams of college education and career options to kindergartner children and their parents.

This website is dedicated to our children - our future. This website is designed to assist those wishing to implement a KinderCaminata curriculum. The content provides key development areas including a standards-based learning unit, sample forms, and documents.

It is not intended to be all-inclusive, but guaranteed to be a helpful resource.

Best wishes for a successful program!

What is KinderCaminata?
KinderCaminata is a non-profit community organization in Orange County that sponsors educational outreach to kindergarten age children and their families. Because César Chávez provided both the role model and message for KinderCaminata, the event is held as near to the anniversary of his birth as possible (March 31). The great American's simple message to us is direct - ¡Sí se puede!

This program sparks interest in education and learning at the early stages of a child's intellectual development. KinderCaminata started in Orange County in 1994 and now includes several participating community colleges working with school districts in Southern California. Exciting and interactive displays at the local colleges inspire children to discover more about careers that appeal to them and can potentially lead them to favorite fields of study or future career paths.

What does KinderCaminata Mean?
"Kinder" is the widely used German word for children younger than regular school age as in Kindergarten. "Caminata" is Spanish for promenade or walk, as in an event. So we have the "children's walk". This activity is a children's walk toward the possibilities that await them in their future, including career choices, college opportunities, and support for their cultural heritage.

What happens during KinderCaminata?
Teachers are provided with curriculum consisting of five standards-based lessons promoting literacy, celebrating cultural heritage, and career education. KinderCaminata also has a bilingual theme song, "¡Sí, se puede!" "Yes, you can!" that is taught to the children for the day of the event. While visiting the college campus, the children participate in a career fair, which features professionals from a variety of popular careers. Local colleges provide leadership, organizing, marketing, materials, refreshments for volunteers and all technical and facilities support. Many of the college employees and student leaders also serve as volunteers. At the end of KinderCaminata children experience interactive career displays, exciting cultural entertainment, and valuable exposure to higher education as a vehicle to future careers. Participating children will also receive a "treasure bag" with souvenirs of the day.

What are KinderCaminata's goals?
KinderCaminata was developed to give children, many of them from immigrant, low-income families, and an introduction to the "college dream". KinderCaminata helps them to see the benefits of school and respect for their families as the way to become whatever they hope in the future. KinderCaminata parents are encouraged to accompany their children to attend the college fair. Parents will also have an opportunity to attend a parent workshop, in either Spanish or English, on how to prepare children for higher education over their time in school.