The Art Of Crafting
Arts-and-crafts projects are one of the cornerstones of camp activities. It is important to plan and organize these projects so campers understand what’s expected.
Book 'Em, Danno
Naturally your camp is on the cutting edge as far as safety, staff training and child psychology. But are you on the cutting edge of the latest craft phenomena?
Programming for Tweens
Way, way back when I started working at Bellingham, Washington Parks and Recreation, (okay it was in 1979), youth programs fell into three age groups. Pre-school activities were geared for
Nature-Based Arts And Crafts
One of the most magical aspects of summer camp is that it opens a child’s eyes to a world of nature filled with artistic opportunities that cannot be experienced anywhere else.
Rubber Stamping Isn't Just For Paper!
Rubber stamping may bring to mind creating an image on paper, but with the new generation of permanent watercolor dye inks almost any surface can be stamped.
Polymer Clay the Easy Way
Polymer clay is a wonderful medium for craft projects because you do not need a kiln to fire the clay. Polymer clay is the generic term for a family of man-made clays that are supple and pliable until baked, at
The Art of Arts & Crafts
Crafting an arts and crafts program for your camp may not be brain surgery, but the subtle precision and patience of a surgeon is often needed for a healthy program to take root.
Crafting A Journal
Journals make great camp projects as well as wonderful camp keepsakes. Whether your kids are camping for a day or for a week, a journal is the perfect place for them to jot down their experiences.
Quick Crafts
It's always nice to tie arts and crafts in with the idea of all that camp entails, rather than doing them to simply fill time or programming space. Here are some interactive craft projects that can be done with
Sensational CD Crafts
What's flat, round, free and invades your mailbox every so often? Hint: They hang also out at video stores, fast food outlets and other retail centers. Sample CDs, of course!
Sweet Treats
Some of my fondest camp memories are of sweet treats made around the campfire (S’mores!) and a few made at arts and crafts (cereal necklaces and gumdrop trees). There just seems to be an extra dash of
Crafty Recipes
I volunteer to teach different craft classes at a local senior center. Every time I visit I end up learning a lot more from the "students" than I could ever teach them. I'm also reminded that there was a time when there
Good Clean Fun
This isn't the soapmaking that your grandmother or great grandmother did. In the good old days, a day of the month was reserved for making soap.
Crafting Resources
There are several reasons why you should take advantage of technology to help you plan and organize your craft projects at camp. If you use your time wisely, you can tons of information at your fingertips.
Pulp to Paper
Papermaking is one of the easiest and exciting crafts that can be done with all age groups with little trouble or experience. Once you've poured and couched your first sheet of handmade paper, you'll be
Speed Racer
Have your craft instructors ever planned a 45-minute craft project for a group of campers… and half the group exclaims, "I'm done!" after 15 minutes?
The Nature of Crafts
As parents drop their children off at camp, they probably tell you, "I'm glad my kids have a chance to be outside. They are usually in school or sitting in front of the computer."
Craft Connection
This may be hard to believe, but long ago, in a distant galaxy, children actually played outside, building forts and getting dirty while riding bikes through mud puddles. Most astonishing was that these children
One More Time Again: Recycled Crafts
It's easy to observe campers engaged in an arts and crafts project and wonder, "How do they use so many supplies?" Glue, paints, wiggle eyes, chenille stems, fake fur, and fuzzy pom poms seem to disappear as