KinderCaminata is a combination of the German word for children, Kinder, and the Spanish word, Caminata, which translates as "promenade" or to "walk at an event." Through hard work and dedication, KinderCaminata has become a walk through a college dreamscape of "career" booths, entertainment, and joyous encounters with business and professional role models. Kindergartners witness experiments, listen to each other's hearts with stethoscopes, talk to fire fighters, police officers, teachers, doctors, nurses, professional athletes, and more.

KinderCaminata staff and volunteers believe that our children are our greatest natural resource. They are the future leaders, and it is our challenge to help them become those leaders. At KinderCaminata, children explore the simplest level of what they might like to be someday, and families hear about those explorations. This in turn, can expose entire families to the college experience. KinderCaminata teaches students and their parents that full education is the key to the future.

While any kindergartner may be invited to participate in KinderCaminata, the emphasis is on schools serving attendance areas with high percentages of "at risk" children. Of course, no one child is singled out, and the entire kindergarten class attends the event.
KinderCaminata affords the opportunity for children to expand their minds, their hearts, and their spirits. The seed of education is planted and dreams of the future have been transformed to reality. If all goes well, KinderCaminata can be the first of a number of visits to the local community college.

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. This great American's simple message to us is direct - ¡Sí, se puede!

Ongoing evaluation is an integral component of the KinderCaminata program. It helps to assure that activities offered are the most valuable possible for our kindergarten children. Teacher evaluations should include data such as: pre-event information, materials and communication; career presentation content and execution; facilities; large group activities; parent input; student reactions; and recommendations for improvement.

It is our hope that KinderCaminata will soon spread to community colleges throughout California and the nation. This training guide has been created to assist in planning and conducting this program anywhere. The following pages include information and sample documents that should ease the tension of beginning an exciting new adventure at your school.

¡Sí, se puede! Yes, you can!