Families can sign up now. The tentative deadline is Monday, though Sims say that may be extended.
There are several options. For $60, families can purchase the kits and work on them at their own pace. For $80, they can attend the virtual camps during July 20-24 for kids aged 6-12 or July 27-31 for kids aged 9-12.
The virtual camps consist of Zoom meetings with camp “counsellors,” other campers and a guest artist. The virtual camps run every day from 9-11 a.m.
“We don’t want to keep families online all day long,” Sims said. “There’ll be some ritual activities, a mindful moment, and then some games.”
The list of activities includes mask-making, African dance, poetry, four-panel comics, seed paper-making and others that range from mindfulness to STEM activities. The older kids will also work with a group called Democracy & Me, and learn such things like how to prepare for a debate. There is also a social justice component. Sims couldn’t quite say how much this curriculum was influenced by the death of George Floyd and the subsequent nationwide protests.
“It’s hard to say,” she said. “It’s become even more clear that we need to create curiosity, compassion, and a broader awareness.”
There is also a Camp cARTwheel Web channel to complement the activities. Access to the channel is free. There is also a $30 option if you run a nonprofit social service and/ort arts organization and want to incorporate the kits.
“It’s perfect if, say, you have a Boy Scout troop,” Sims said.
To learn more about Camp cARTwheel or to sign up, visit www.artworkscincinnati.org.
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