Parents tend to wax nostalgic about childhoods spent outdoors in the summer, back in the day before iPads, Fortnite and a phone in every pocket. But, take heart, parents–there are still places where kids can be kids in the summer, where they can come home soaking wet and covered in dirt (and maybe a little paint).
On any given summer’s day between late May and the first part of August, outside a small stone cottage in South City’s historic Tower Grove Park, children might float boats made of duct tape and straws in a giant puddle leftover from a rainstorm. They could be digging in the dirt under a lush tree dubbed “Ms. Magnolia,” or collecting leaves, acorns and interesting natural objects to add to the artwork they are creating. They might be on the lawn, engaged in an imaginary but epic Harry Potter-inspired wand battle, with rules known only to the participants. Or, they could be creating a mural for the neighborhood under the supervision of a professional artist
One thing not happening: children on screens. Electronic devices are not allowed at Artscope’s Summer Camp Create in Tower Grove Park. But you won’t hear Artscope’s campers complaining–they are much too busy to miss their gadgets.
Since 2002, Artscope (founded as the South City Open Studio and Gallery for Children) has provided high-quality summer arts learning experiences for children in the St. Louis area with a heavy emphasis on creativity, ecology and play.
At a time when children are spending less and less time outdoors, at school and at home, participants at Artscope’s Camp Create spend nearly their whole day outside. Artscope campers alternate between facilitated art projects, led by professional teaching artists, and lots of free play time under the building’s huge wrap-around porch and tree canopy that shades the building and surrounding lawn.
The natural surroundings and beauty of Tower Grove Park provide campers lots of opportunities to get close to nature. Artscope kids are frequently found exploring both the park and nearby Missouri Botanical Garden. A favorite spot is “Tree’s Knees,” a spot near a small stream that runs through the park, where bald cyprus knees stick up out of the ground. The park’s wading pool and fountain, visited by campers every Friday of the camp season, is also a perennial favorite, especially in the heat of a St. Louis summer.
Artscope’s teaching artists lead campers through lots of creative projects during the week, with an emphasis on the use of recycled and natural materials. Materials are available both for structured art projects, and also for creative play time, where campers can continue working on a beloved project, or use art supplies to build or create something out of their own imagination. Artscope’s teaching artists are gentle guides, asking questions like “what if you . . .?” or “have you though about . . .?” to encourage maximum creative thinking.
Each camp week features a different theme, and in 2019 Artscope is focused on adventure. Camp themes include Space Odyssey, Land of Make Believe and High Seas Adventures. For the 6th consecutive year, the most popular camp, Mural Magic, features students working together with a commissioned artist to make a mural that will be installed somewhere in the neighborhood surrounding Tower Grove Park. The camp season will wrap up in August with Scraptopia, a STEAM-based camp where students will design and build their own inventions.
Artscope’s Camp Create is for children entering kindergarten through 5th grade beginning in fall of 2019. Ten weeks of camp are offered between May 28-August 9 from 9:00-3:00 pm Monday through Friday (there is no camp the week of July 1-5).
Parents register for individual weeks of camp at $175 per week. Sibling discounts are available. Before care is available from 7:30-9:00 am and after care from 3:00-6:00 pm for an additional fee. Tuition assistance is also available.
Artscope is located at 4255 Arsenal, inside the park at the corner of Arsenal and Center Cross Drive. Registration and more information is available at https://www.artscopestl.org/programs Call (314) 865-0060 for questions.
