A Day at the Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze

LOCAL AU PAIRS and HOST FAMILIES ENJOY THE FESTIVITIES AT

TWIN CITIES HARVEST FESTIVAL MAZE IN BROOKLYN PARK

Brooklyn Park, MN October 2010 – Cultural Care Au Pairs and their host families enjoyed a day at the Twin Cities Harvest Festival Maze in Brooklyn Park. Being that the owner of the Maze, Bert Bouwman, is from Brazil it was exciting for the au pairs to meet him and use their native tongue Portuguese with him!

The au pairs, all currently living with host families in Maple Grove, Ramsey, Elk River, Rogers, St. Michael, Hassan Township, and Otsego had some new experiences here in the United States that they have not had in their own countries.

We made spiders with the kids and had hot cocoa while we crawled through corn and wound our way through the maze. The host families brought their kids including four sets of twins, and had a great time roaming the many activities that were available to them.

Together representing the countries of Germany, Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil, and South Africa the au pairs are keeping cultural exchange alive and well. “Our au pairs love autumn because it is the one time of year that they can get into; it invites them to express themselves,” said Tracie Kapaun, Local Childcare Coordinator. They enjoyed the opportunity to experience a fall event Minnesota style.

“Every year I look forward to the excitement autumn brings to my au pair group,” said Kapaun. “It is easily one of the favorite memories of most au pairs when they head home because it is a time of year they can really share with their host families. Autumn brings with it corn mazes, pumpkin patches, apple orchards, haunted houses, hay rides, bon fires, and Halloween.