Kids Inspired by Nature at Inaugural Creatures & Canvas Summer Art Camp

Participant painting a lizard. ANNALEE HULL / BABCOCK RANCH TELEGRAPH

Some things just go together, like kids, creatures and creativity. It was no exception at the Babcock Ranch summer art camp. Creatures & Canvas, the community’s first official summer art camp hosted by the Babcock Ranch Residential Association, was held in June at the Field House while construction began on a new building for the arts nearby on the Babcock Schools campus.

Thirty-five young artists participated in the week-long camp, pouring their energy into learning new skills, making new friends and having fun. Along the way, they got to meet and interact with some interesting creatures. Whether they slithered or walked on four legs, many became the subjects of some inventive works of art.

Packed with creative activities and art instruction, the camp engaged campers in drawing, painting, sculpting and exploring different media to bring their vision to life. The camp was divided into two main age groups: children ages 5 to 11 and teenagers ages 12 to 17.

Henry Richman, Michael Clark and Forrest Morden petting a snake. DAVID ROJAS / CLEARLY CAPTIVATED

YGT Management, based in Fort Myers, designed and conducted the camp, which provided the instructors, materials and supplies. YGT also offers other arts workshops and programming at Babcock Ranch.

“We had so much fun and received so much positive feedback on the camp,” said Harper Pyle of YGT. “The children were engaged and excited each day. It was inspiring to see how much energy and enthusiasm they poured into their projects.”

Pyle was on hand each day, along with art instructors Heather Donaldson and Brian Weaver.

On the first day of camp, participants met more than a half-dozen live creatures, including colorful snakes with beautiful patterns, turtles, a bearded dragon lizard and a baby alligator, all intended to become subjects from which the students would draw inspiration for their art projects. They sketched their animal subjects and modeled them in clay.

“Every participant was on their own journey,” explained Pyle. “We allowed them to have messes, make mistakes and not overthink their creative process. I’m really pleased with the result.”

Heather Donaldson, one of the art instructors, guiding the young artists. ANNALEE HULL / BABCOCK RANCH TELEGRAPH

“There are no mistakes in art,” added Weaver. “If you don’t like something you can paint over it and make it into something new.”

On day two, the campers engaged with rabbits during a session of bunny yoga, stretching their muscles and imaginations. The rabbits, with their fur coats, provided new subject matter and textures to add to the menagerie of artwork. Students created a paper collage.

On day three, the camp’s special guest was Christina Kontos, the environmental mitigation manager at Babcock Ranch. She presented an engaging program on animals that live here in our nature preserves and ones that the children may encounter while walking on trails or in their neighborhoods.

On day four, physical activities and games designed to promote creativity and teamwork were interspersed with art instruction along with information on nutrition and wellness to round out the summer camp experience.

ABOVE: On the last day, guardians were invited to view all the projects in an art showcase. ANNALEE HULL / BABCOCK RANCH TELEGRAPH

On the last day of camp, guardians were invited to the camp to view all the creations in an art showcase.

On display were 2D and 3D seascapes with turtles and other aquatic creatures, lizards in their habitats, various landscapes from the beach to a nighttime scene, an engaging clown and abstract paintings, among many others.

Based on the camp’s success, Pyle said plans are under discussion for a possible after-school program during the school year.

LEFT: Conner Carter holding an alligator with Kylee Hutchinson, Ryan Grant and Pierce Kozma in the background. DAVID ROJAS / CLEARLY CAPTIVATED

The post Kids Inspired by Nature at Inaugural Creatures & Canvas Summer Art Camp first appeared on Babcock Ranch Telegraph .