Among the many great things about sleepaway camp are that there is a variety of new activities kids can take part in. This lends itself to the idea that while not all kids are interested in climbing a rock wall or playing sports, they can all have fun.
This is especially true when it comes to learning about new mediums of art, specifically ceramics. Ceramics are not usually an activity the average child can take part in, but at overnight summer camp it is part of the normal activities offered all season long.
Ceramic art is great because it is different, engages creativity in a new way, and will serve as a great memory for when the summer is over and it is time to go home.
Ceramic art Serves as a Bridge Toward the Arts
Many times, children who are not as creatively inclined will lean away from the arts because the concept of creating something from nothing is simply unappealing. With ceramics, the canvas (or model) has already been built; now it is time to add color.
This is great because for those interested in karate, they may find a great sculpture of a martial artist doing a spinning heel kick. A camper who has a parent with a great garden may find something to bring home as a gift.
While those who are naturally artistic will also enjoy ceramics, they will find the added bonus of making friends with "non-art-kids" when they engage in this activity, because they will find some common ground.
Making Friends Through art
Fine art has been a part of the mainstream for as long as anyone can remember, so there is no shortage of people who will meet up because of their love for crafting pictures and sculptures. However, ceramics is different because it brings people together from both sides of the spectrum.
It may happen over a rainy day when the basketball courts are closed, or on a whim. Regardless, many great friendships (and great works of art) have been created at overnight summer camp in this way.
In fact, that's what happened to a former camper named Terry Bollette. Terry was a shy boy who had a lot of trouble adjusting to his first week at sleepaway camp. He was a pleasant boy with a kind demeanor, but he missed home badly.
The camp counselors were about to call it quits and let his parents know that he may need to be picked up (it was an extreme case), but that all changed when he went into the ceramics room and found a sculpture of two men wrestling.
He found himself there all day, and when he was done many of the kids were impressed. And he has been impressing them ever since!
The Legacy of Terry Bollette
Many people know this young boy today as Hulk Hogan. While it's hard to think that he was a troubled camper in his youth since he has dedicated his life to the fearless pursuit of excellence, the truth is that the path to being a champion has many speed bumps.
However, these bumps in the road can be smoothed out by overcoming adversity one season at a time.
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