Creativity Takes Center Stage at MCLC Mini Create Camp
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By Cheryl Owens
Mississippi Spirit
For many children, summer is all about sleeping a little later, spending time with friends and finding something fun to do. This July, the Morton Community and Learning Center hopes to add a little creativity to that summer fun with its upcoming Mini Create Camp.
The three-day camp will be held July 16-18 from 10 a.m. until noon at the MCLC, 383 S. Fourth St., and is open to students entering first through fourth grades. Throughout the camp, children will explore music and visual art while learning new skills in a relaxed, hands-on setting.
Executive Director Mandy Quinn said the center has offered children’s camps in the past, but after a recent transition in leadership, one was not originally planned for this summer.
“I still felt it was important to provide something for the kids,” Quinn said. “I’m a strong believer in the arts. Research shows that the arts help support learning in other subjects, and I wanted students to have the opportunity to learn some basic skills in both music and visual art.”
Quinn said the camp is designed to introduce children to the arts in a way that is both educational and enjoyable.
During the music sessions, campers will learn bucket drumming while being introduced to basic music theory and rhythm reading. In the visual arts classes, they will experiment with different art techniques they can continue using at home.
“It’s something fun for the students to do during the summer,” Quinn said. “I hope it gives them the confidence to keep creating after camp is over.”
Although this is the first Mini Create Camp, Quinn hopes it is only the beginning.
“I would love to see this camp grow into something even bigger in the future,” she said. “We’re starting small this year, but I hope it’s something we can continue to build on.”
The camp will wrap up on July 18 with a special showcase for family and friends.
Instead of learning new lessons that day, students will demonstrate what they have practiced during the week by performing their bucket drumming routines and displaying the artwork they created. Each child will also take home their art projects as a reminder of the experience.
Quinn will teach both the music and visual arts portions of the camp, with help from MCLC staff members and board members.
When asked what she enjoys most about working with children, Quinn said watching their creativity come to life is the most rewarding part.
She described the camp as an opportunity for children to become immersed in creativity while discovering new talents and having fun.
Registration is $30 per student, and the deadline to register is July 9.
Quinn hopes families will take advantage of the opportunity to give their children a creative outlet this summer while making new friends, learning new skills and creating memories that will last long after camp comes to an end.
