Located on over 7 forested acres on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, A Studio in the Woods is dedicated to providing a peaceful retreat where visual, literary and performing artists can work uninterrupted. Each summer, they open up their outdoor classroom for their unique Kids in the Woods Summer Camp.
Kids in the Woods Summer Camp is for kids ages 6 to 11 years old and will be held this year from June 3rd through the 28th. Camp runs Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 1:30pm and the cost is $600 per child for the 4-week program.
This camp provides an environmental education and cultural activities for a diverse group of children through a hands-on activity oriented program. The campers use both scientific and artistic skills to observe, identify and collect natural materials and record their experiences through the visual, literary and performing arts. The instructors for the camp this year are artist Laura Richens, outdoor educator Amy Zellweger and ceramicist Jane Hill.
*Interested families can meet the instructors and do a hands-on art project on Saturday, May 11th at the FORESTival, a celebration of art and nature at A Studio in the Woods.*
Campers are immersed in the natural environment as they engage in a number of art and nature activities, including:
-Bookbinding to create a nature journal
-Making woodland creature puppets to perform in a puppet show written by the campers
-Building instruments to play in a “jam session” with visiting professional musicians
-Making fun snacks such as peanut butter from scratch and fruit popsicles
-Working with the staff botanist to identify trees and plants
-Taking daily walks in the woods and on the levee
In the words of a teacher from the camp, “…I feel that every kind of child benefits from this kind of experience. The urban children, many from Uptown New Orleans, benefitted greatly because they lack this kind of environment in their everyday lives…At the same time, it was important for the neighborhood children to realize and learn about what existed in their own backyard…the children have gained a real sense of the beauty and the importance of the woods and hopefully this will stay with them for a lifetime.”
The camp has already had interest from several parents and space is limited on a first-come, first-served basis. For a natural, educational camp experience, please email info@astudiointhewoods.org for a registration form or for more information, visit the website at http://www.astudiointhewoods.org/sitw/.
Kids in the Woods is a Macaroni Kid sponsor.
