By Sabrina Crawford
The Independent
San Mateo, California
July 1, 2003
School may be out for the summer, but the campus at Laurel Elementary is bustling. On a warm June afternoon, fourth-and-fifth-graders circle the blacktop on bikes, skateboards and roller blades. Second-and-third-graders cheer and race to the field, bats in hand, for a game of softball. And behind a small portable door, 5-and-6-year-olds with paint caked under their fingernails wield a rainbow of acrylics, brushes, chalks and pens.
Bending over a group of children cutting out blue whales, tracing orange salmon and dotting the eyes on blackbirds, ARTcamp teacher Monica Fabian explains the day's art theme–birds. Holding up colorful prints, Fabian—who is co-teaching the course with her mother Mathilda Faske—explains the legend and beauty of the Native American totem pole tradition.
"A long time ago, Thunderbird watched over the sea and land and all its creatures," Fabian reads from "Whale in the Sky," the story that inspired totem makers of old, and she hopes can inspire her students today. Run by Art in Action, a nonprofit that aims to teach art and art appreciation to youth, ARTcamp operates weeklong programs for first-through-sixth-graders (separated into age groups) through recreation centers in Redwood City, San Carlos, Foster City and San Mateo.
"This program exposes them to so many different things—watercolor, acrylic, sculpture, brushes, drawing–they wouldn't normally have time to explore fully in the classroom," says Fabian, wiping a paint-splattered hand across her smock and smiling." But by teaching them something about the history, too—it also opens their eyes to a lifetime love of art."
As the barometer passes 90, heading straight into the heart of summertime scorchers, parents looking for interesting places to send their kids can check out special programs run through the local parks and recreation departments and local agencies—such as ARTcamp.
On the Laurel campus alone, a handful of play camps in addition to the ARTcamp are all going on simultaneously all summer long. And that's just one example. Throughout the entire county, summer 2003 boasts a myriad of interesting options for would-be campers and their parents.
"We've got all kinds of stuff," says Jennifer Tom, recreation supervisor for Daly City—which boasts everything from classics such as basketball and swimming to more cutting-edge offerings—such as skateboarding, "make me a golf pro" and even—yes—a "Star Wars" play camp.
"The kids love the great play theme camps. This week they did "Star Wars" and learned to be Jedi Knights–pretending to use the force, learning concentration and meditation techniques. Then at the end they test their skills on a pinata.
Next door in Colma, elementary kids can even get their summer camp tuition paid for by the city—as as extra educational offering.
There's a whole wide world beyond the doors of local parks and recreation departments. Private camps run by nonprofits and educational agencies encompass everything from sleep-away nature stays, to places like TechKnowHow Summer Computer and Lego Camp—where Legos meets Lycos.
At TechKnowHow, budding computer wizards from 6 to 16 can combine the fun of making videogame-style characters and scenes with the craft of technology in classes on website design, digital art, 3-D animations, keyboarding and programming. Meanwhile, Legolovers use motors, gears and microcomputers to make cars, walking robots and rollercoasters.
"Our most popular classes include ones where students design their own computer games to take home and play with friends and family," says camp coordinator Bob Mancini.
Meanwhile, back in Laurel Elementary at ARTcamp, Clayton Riedl, a soon-to-be second-grader, seems happy with her (or more likely her parents') choice. In addition to good teachers and fun programs, finding a good match for a child's interests is what truly makes a perfect fit.
Clayton wants to be an artist when she grows up. "I like sculpture the best," says the shy blonde, pasting a golden Thunderbird to the top of her cardboard totem.
For Clayton—who just moved to the Bay Area from Florida three weeks ago—ARTcamp is a way to learn more about something she loves, have fun and perhaps, most importantly, make new friends in her new hometown.
A few feet away, 15-year-old Holly Fowler, a budding teen artist who will be a junior at Aragon High School in the fall, may be too old to be a camper here, but she's found a way to benefit from the fun of summertime just the same.
Leaning over a tiny art table, Holly helps her little brother Matthew—who will head into the first grade next year—paint a flying insect sculpture he made the day before. Holly says she likes coming to the class to help out because she loves art and working with the kids.
"They all make really different stuff," Holly says. "And some of it is really good. And they just love it—they have so much fun. I do, too." Being in the classroom with siblings allows Holly, and teens like her, to channel their energy and interests into teaching kids about their passion—whether it's sports, music or math.
In fact, Holly likes the camp spirit so much she's working as a teaching assistant at the three-week summer art and music camp for kids at the College of San Mateo.
As Matthew slops yellow paint onto the wings of his clay bug, he grins knowingly at his sister. "After painting, then we're going to the candy store, right?"
His sister smiles.
"I love camp!" Matthew cheers.