Kids Art Camp

A World of Stories, Creativity, and New Friendships

Week 2 Kids Arts Camp, presented in partnership with SafePath Monroe, brought together 41 rising 1st through 5th grade students for an unforgettable week of creativity, learning, and friendship.

Through art, music, theater, movement, and dance, campers explored stories from around the world while building confidence, developing new skills, and creating lasting memories.

This year's camp took young artists on a cross-cultural journey through folktales from around the world. Each day, campers discovered a new story and created a hands-on art project inspired by the lessons and traditions of that culture.

Folktale Art: A Cross Cultural Journey

From West Africa, students learned about the clever Anansi the Spider and designed colorful storytelling masks. They explored a Guatemalan folktale about the Quetzal bird while creating naturally dyed t-shirts using colors derived from fruits, vegetables, and plants.

Campers traveled to Japan through the story of the Koi fish and its transformation into a dragon, creating vibrant canvas paintings that celebrated perseverance and determination. They concluded their artistic journey with handmade dreamcatchers inspired by Native American traditions and lessons about positive thoughts and protection.

Throughout the week, campers rotated through music, theater, and movement classes.

While the artwork was impressive, the growth seen in the students was even more meaningful. Teachers consistently shared stories of campers encouraging one another, forming friendships across schools and backgrounds, and gaining confidence as the week progressed. Several students who were initially shy or nervous quickly found their place within the group, while others discovered new ways to participate and shine. One camper with autism was given a personalized hula hoop routine that allowed him to fully engage and experience success, creating a memorable and meaningful experience for everyone involved.

Celebrating Creativity, Culture, & The Power of Story

Camp Director and Art Teacher Deaundra Brown summed up the week best: "The students were absolutely wonderful. MACA is wonderful. Thank you so much for everything."

The week concluded with a wonderful "Folktales Around the World" showcase at Madisonville Middle School, where campers shared a performance celebrating the cultures, stories, music, movement, and lessons they explored throughout the week.

Family members and friends filled the auditorium, creating an enthusiastic and supportive audience for the young performers.

A meaningful moment of the afternoon came when Monroe Area Council for the Arts was presented with a framed thank-you artwork created by the campers. The colorful keepsake expresses the students' appreciation for the opportunity to participate in camp and serves as a lasting reminder of the creativity, growth, and connections fostered throughout the week.

The energy in the room, the smiles on the faces of the students, and the overwhelming support from families demonstrated the impact that arts education can have on young people and our community.

The Monroe Area Council for the Arts is grateful to our dedicated teaching team, volunteers, families, and community partners who made this week possible.

We extend a special thank you to SafePath Monroe for its partnership and support of youth arts programming in our community.