Instead of kids tearing up the house, bored during Spring Break, the Moab Arts and Recreation Center is offering an art and recreation camp from Monday, April 6 to Thursday, April 9 for children ages five through ten.
“We normally do our art-focused summer camp,” said MARC Assistant Director Makeda Barkley, “but this year we’re trying out the spring break camp since we realize there is a shortage of childcare at that time of year.”
Barkely also notes that kids are often restless and bored during the break from school, so the MARC is creating a camp with something to interest and engage every child.
“We’re not just doing art, but more an art and recreation camp,” she says, where kids will be splitting their time between art projects and active games.
“We’ll be doing a bunch of art projects and doing really fun active games at the Center Street Gym, ending the day at Swanny Park,” said Sasha Steinberg, MARC administrative assistant.
“It’ll be a good amount of time bopping around and being active,” she said. “Even if kids love art, it’s important to run around and play games. As a teacher, you can see that they feel so much more social when they do that.”
Steinberg is clearly excited to create an interesting, diverse program for students. Steinberg helped run a MARC workshop on creating tiny “fairy houses,” and is excited to continue that practice with the children at the camp. The camp is giving a STEM-style spin to the idea, with the project aimed at creating an ‘insect hotel,’ learning about local insects and ecology.
“We’re going to jump off of the ‘fairy house’ idea and focusing on recycling and reuse,” said Steinberg.
Barkely is excited about the insect hotel project, noting that MARC camps often have themes that incorporate science, history or technology along with the arts.
“That project will end up being featured in the landscaping at the MARC,” she said.
The program will run Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Barkley notes that the MARC will also be offering students open-studio time from 3 to 5 p.m. for an extra $10.
“I’m really excited for the open studio,” she said.
“There, kids will have the space to explore and experiment with different art forms and materials that the MARC provides,” Barkley said. “The kids will have some agency, instead of having a specific project. It’s open creativity time for them.”
“It’ll be a small group for the Spring Break Camp, so it’s important to register early,” said Barkley. Interested parents can register online at www.moabarts.org/spring-break-summer-camp or email mbarkley@moabcity.org. The cost for the camp is $120 per child, and financial assistance is available.
The larger summer Arty Farty Camp will begin June 22; registration for that program will be available in the next week or two.
What: Spring Break Art & Rec Camp for ages 5 to 10
When: Monday, April 6 through Thursday, April 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: The Moab Arts and Recreation Center (111 E. 100 North)
Cost: $120 per child for the camp. Scholarships available.
To register, go to www.moabarts.org/spring-break-summer-camp or email mbarkley@moabcity.org
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