School’s out for summer, but for Camp AYS kids, the learning never stops.
Take what’s happening at School #84 in Indianapolis, for example.
As part of their summer camp experience, the kids at 84 have been benefitting from a tremendous partnership we have with Arts for Learning, the Indiana affiliate of Young Audiences, Inc.
Through its ArtForce apprenticeship program, Arts for Learning has been educating local high school students for the last three years about the “ins and outs” of both teaching and art.
This summer, following several weeks of preparing lesson plans and gathering supplies, the ArtForce students had the opportunity to work directly with AYS kids, using various artistic media – from markers and pencils to Popsicle sticks and folded paper.
The high school students, representing a number of schools in Central Indiana, took turns teaching different small groups of kids. If they worked with a younger group first, they would next instruct an older group. They taught the kids for two days, and were evaluated on their teaching skills.
On Friday of this week, our AYS campers will take a field trip to Ivy Tech Community College, where Arts for Learning holds its ArtForce classes. There, the kids will get to tour three buildings on campus – the Culinary, Library and Tech buildings. During lunch, they’ll watch a puppet show performed by Art for Learning artists Adzooks Puppets. Also while at Ivy Tech, the AYS kids will get to view the high school students’ culminating art exhibit.
We’re grateful for this partnership with Arts for Learning, as it adds so much to our summer curriculum, and makes an impact on these budding teachers, too. Thanks to the State Farm Youth Advisory Board for getting behind ArtForce and investing in children’s futures.
What do you think about AYS’ summer camps? Let us know below!