Camp North Star’s elective based program allows our campers to create their activity schedule each week from over 100 choices in athletics, outdoors, waterfront, enrichment, performing arts and fine arts. The Arts program…from ceramics to culinary arts, stained glass to sculpture and dance to drumming…gives campers the opportunity to express their creativity. And creativity is just one of the many skills campers learn from studying and participating in the arts. There are several other benefits that campers receive from being involved in an art class at Camp North Star.
Confidence – The skills campers gain through our performing arts classes not only train them how to persuasively deliver a message, but also builds the confidence they need to step on stage and perform. Theater training gives campers practice stepping out of their comfort zone and allows them to make mistakes and learn from them. North Star campers can participate in classes that include dance, improv, drumming, guitar, and the camp musicals. Last summer the musicals were Shrek and Lion King.
Problem Solving – Artistic creations are born through the solving of problems. How do I turn a pile of clay into a vase? How do I depict a specific emotion through a hip hop dance performance? How will my character in the camp musical react in this scene? Without even being aware, campers that participate in the arts are consistently being challenged to solve problems which develops children’s skills in reasoning and understanding.
Receiving Constructive Criticism – Hearing constructive feedback about a performance or piece of artwork is a typical part of any arts instruction. Through this process, our campers learn that feedback is part of learning and it is not meant to be a personal attack. Rather, campers learn that constructive criticism helps them improve and learn.
Dedication – Campers spend 5 hour per week in each of their classes. It is common for campers in art classes to use their free time period for extra practice time in a performing arts class or additional time to fine tune or finish an arts project. This type of time commitment helps campers to develop an association between dedication and accomplishment.
Perseverance – When a camper tries to play the guitar for the first time, they know they are not ready to join a band just yet. The first attempt at the pottery wheel rarely results in a symmetrical vase. However, with the help of our teachers who offers the proper guidance and direction, our campers learn the skills and techniques to play a few chords on the guitar and to create that vase. In an increasingly competitive world, where children are being asked to continually develop new skills, perseverance is essential to achieving success.
These benefits our campers learn through art classes complement the 21st century life skills that we emphasize in an intentional way every day at camp. And focusing on essential life skills a vital part of the overall experience at Camp North Star.