Congo Camp 2010

The Modeling Magic camper creations.

Media Mania moved onto making molds with model magic today.  Model Magic is a quick-drying clay type material that is easily moldable. 

Our Media Mania campers made various molds and crafts with this modeling magic and had a blast seeing how well they could mold whatever they were emulating.

If you have a chance, check out the Media Mania artist bios posted in the main hallway.  These campers have been having fun making all their various types of art and we know they are excited to continue creating over the next two days!

Some of the New Guinea masks before the Global Arts campers decorated them.

Our Global Arts campers took a trip to the other side of the globe to experience New Guinea. 

The art that they will be attempting that hails from New Guinea are face masks.  Before they started into making and decorating these masks, they began the morning with a little ice breaker. 

Each of the Global Arts Campers are already starting to know each other quite well and are enjoying immensely the time they have together. 

We wish them luck as they make their trek to New Guinea and we can't wait to see the masks after they are finished. 

One of the campers paintings.

In Media Mania, the campers started to learn about texture by using leafs.  To complete this process, the campers first had to find leaves.

Once they selected their leaves, they put paint onto them.  After they painted the leaf, they pressed it against white paper and created designs. 

To complete their paintings the campers selected an animal to focus on in the center of the image and then have various leaf impressions surrounding it.

All of the campers were enthralled with this medium and we enjoyed seeing the various artistic productions they made!

A few of the mural replicas created by our Media Mania campers.

Media Mania is an arts and crafts based camp that helps our campers to learn the various mediums one can use to create art.

The counselors are helping our campers to learn the tools that artists use to make their creations.  Today they focused on chalk murals. 

These murals were based off Diego Rivera's style used in Mexican murals.  We are excited to see all the forms and mediums that these campers use over the next week!

The Global Arts campers in the process of making their trolls.

Most people remember the exciting little toys called Trolls, but few of us know their country of origin.

Well, in Global Arts, they are learning about and making trolls today.  Firstly, to ensure everyone does know, the idea of trolls developed in Norway. 

Secondly, our Global Arts campers, to make trolls, started off with a piece of construction paper.  Then, they add the crazy hair, colorful clothes, and various other items we associate with these creatures. 

The campers were all having a blast making these tricky trolls and they are also excited to learn about various arts & crafts from around the world. 

Some of the hats campers made.

Walking around Congo Camp today, you may notice that our Congo day campers have a great way to shield themselves from the sun: hats.

Well, there is something unique about these hats, though, they are handmade.  Each hat was made during Arts & Crafts today.

The hats were made from paper plates and tissue paper.  They were decorated by the campers and reflected each camper's personality.

So, keep your eyes open to see the excellent hats these campers made. 

An amulet made by one of our day campers.

As the session started, our day campers already began to make their arts and crafts in Arts & Crafts.  The counselors in Arts & Crafts always have something fun planned for the campers and today this activity is. . . making amulets.

These amulets were made from construction paper, glue, and string.  Construction paper sheets were rolled and then glued into a larger piece of circular construction paper.

The amulets were then tied onto a string and the campers were able to wear them around the necks.  They look great and the craft was definitely a great start to the new session!

Some of the art that the campers were finishing.

In Arts and Crafts, day campers enjoyed beginning the week with a free studio day. 

During their arts and crafts time, the campers were able to finish projects, continue projects, or just color if they wanted to.

These campers enjoyed having this free time in arts and crafts and the many projects they have created definitely show their creativity. 

Examples of some of the artwork our day campers produced.

As the session moves forward, our arts and crafts counselors have been having our day campers learn about the various ways to create new art. 

Today, the campers started off with basic tissue paper and tore it into various shapes.  After these shapes were made, the campers then pasted them onto a sheet of paper to make designs. 

These designs then turned into colorful pamphlet-like books for the campers to enjoy.  They do have to dry overnight but once they are finished, these artists will be able to show-off their skills! 

A few of the Rock Pets our campers created.

The arts & crafts counselors had our day campers painting rock pets today. 

You may remember the original "Pet Rock" that came out in the 70s, but our arts & crafts rock pets are definitely a unique pet.

After our campers received their rocks, they decided what colors they wanted to use to paint and then named their pet rock.

Tonight, these rocks will be drying and tomorrow we will get to see our new owners enjoying their pets.

During arts & crafts, the day campers learned the art technique of weaving.

They first cut a large sheet of paper in such a way that smaller strips of paper could be woven through it.  After the paper was cut, they started going in and out with the smaller strips of paper.

After they finished, one could see the varying designs some of the campers selected to do.  Below are a couple examples of the campers excellent art work. 

A few silly bandz that one camper selected to use.

In Arts & Crafts today, the campers started off the session using one of their favorite items: Silly Bandz. 

How do you create art out of Silly Bandz? Well, our Arts & Crafts counselors showed everyone how easy it is.

Firstly, you select your favorite bands.  Then, you select a color with which to outline them.  And, finally, you don't just lay them out flat, but set them up as a design.

Our day campers had lots of fun starting off their session with this activity and we can't wait to see some of the other arts & crafts they will be doing this week!

The Arts & Crafts counselors had quite an event set-up for our Olympic competitors: paper airplane contests.

The Arts & Crafts counselors had the day campers coloring the Spanish flag today to celebrate the victory they had during the World Cup!

Arts & Crafts was finishing up an activity with our older day campers today as they completed the clay bowls they started on Monday.

Starting off with their handcrafted creations, the campers were able to now begin the next step in the pottery process.

This next step in the process was painting their handcrafted pottery. Some campers used exotic color schemes, while others maintained a simplistic style with a single color.

Day Campers rolled, rubberbanded, and colored t-shirts during Arts & Crafts today as they tie-dyed.

Tomorrow, Tuesday the 20th, day campers will be tie-dying white t-shirts (or socks or bandanas, if you so choose) during camp.

To enjoy the Harry Potter theme in Arts & Crafts, the campers colored in some pictures taken from the books.

In Arts & Crafts today, the day campers had fun making magnets.