Art Camp!
This past summer First Christian Church of Fort Madison, IA hosted an Art Camp for children who have completed 5th 8th grade. This vision came from Pastor Leslie Dalstra and her former call in El Paso, Texas where they hosted a similar camp for inner city kids in elementary school. We began by spreading the word and contacting our local art association and other people in the community with a passion for art and education.
After months of planning and collaborating, we offered a variety of creative opportunities for the children and brought in professionals and high school students, along with a college senior who is studying to be an art teacher, to help with the camp. Courses offered were: culinary, baking, photography, acrylic painting, bead painting and jewelry making, sculpting, watercolor painting, and creative writing. We spent an afternoon at the local art association where we got to tour the facility and meet the local artist who had his metal sculptures on display. We ended the week with an open house for the community to show case their artwork all based upon the poetry of Psalm 23. Their work then went in the pop-up gallery at the Fort Madison Area Art Association for a week! The volunteers and participants all loved the experience and cannot wait until next summer when we offer the course again. There has also been a request to offer a similar camp in a retreat setting for adults!
| 
