Summer fun for young and all

BY WENDY ELLIOTT

welliott@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

Recreation leaders aren’t the only ones busy organizing summer camps. Both youth and adults can take advantage of some of the offerings coming up this vacation season.

In the garden

The Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens at Acadia University is offering several unique classes for kids during July and August.

Beginning July 7, children ages 9-13 may explore the silent sounds of the forest through sign language. Instructor Blythe Blois will teach basic conversational sign language through drama, music and art activities, as well as silent observation of wildlife.

Starting July 14, children ages 7-12 may explore art based on observations utilizing Acadia’s botanical gardens, art gallery and studio space. Instructor Terry Drahos is a local artist and educator.

The Blomidon Naturalist Society and Ladybird Art are presenting art in nature, beginning July 28. Projects will include leaf-printing, sketching, sculpting, paper-making and photography. A second session of environmental art is also planned for Aug. 11-15 with Drahos.

The Environment Club at the Irving Centre will run Tuesday afternoons from July 15 to Aug. 19 for youth ages 12-15. Become a young environmentalist and receive guidance and instruction from expert guest speakers. The program includes gardening, games, theatre and crafts each week.

Space in the sessions is limited to 15 participants. To register for any of the programs, call 585-1917 or visit the Irving Centre Café. A discount is available for siblings registering for the same program.

On the mountain

The Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, near Canning, has a number of programs coming up that are both daylong and overnight. SummerArts brings the best of the arts - and the best of camp - together in a completely new way.

Among the topics to be explored are Nova Scotia legends, petroglyph painting, Mi’kmaq drumming, circus arts and mask-making.

Overnight programs are available for ages eight and up. Roxy Peterson is the camp director.

On stage

CentreStage Theatre in Kentville will hold summer theatre camps for both children and youth (ages 8-11 and 12-16).

Participants will learn stage skills such as voice, movement, character development and technical aspects. Each will have a part in the play to be performed on the Saturday and Sunday afternoons following the camp.

Dates are Aug. 11-15 and Aug. 18-22. Each camp is limited to 15 participants. The application deadline is July 15. Contact centrestage@centrestagetheatre.ca or call 678-3502.

A summer singing

Wolfville singer and music teacher Susan Dworkin is also organizing a vocal music camp for two weeks of evenings in late July and early August at St. Andrew’s Church, Wolfville. Phone 542-0649 for information, but registration is necessary by July 7.