Plymouth Magazine-Fall24-DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 24
Creative Arts Camp 2024: In Review
By Christopher Goodson (he/him)
Plymouth Church held its second
Creative Arts Camp (after a nine-year
hiatus) from July 29 to Aug. 2. The
idea of an arts camp started as a way to
engage our students during the summer
and offer meaningful programming that
invites families in our community into
our wonderful children’s arts programs
at Plymouth Church. But planning and
preparation turned the idea of the arts
camp into so much more!
This year, we had more than 110
students registered for the camp, a
significant increase from the 70 campers
we had in 2023. Also, nearly half of the
campers from the wider community,
including some students from Plymouth
Nursery School.
The overall focus of our camp is always
“to grow in love of God, neighbor, and
creation.” This year, we painted a mural
on the 3rd Floor Elevator Lobby (go
check it out!) and learned through the
images and themes in the mural:
• the Dove of peace, which brings peace
• the Tree of strength, which stands
tall and reaches out to others
• the Rainbow with all its colors of love
• and the graceful Butterfly that brings
unity to the world.
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The mural comprises three windows:
Window 1: Represents the work of Holy
Spirit (dove) in the creation of music.
Window 2: Represents, family,
connection and learning (tree) and
multigenerational relationships
built(adult and child footsteps).
Window 3: Represents diversity
(rainbow) and Plymouth’s mission of
belonging — and that everyone’s unique
identity is celebrated (butterfly).
Each morning, the campers gathered for
a morning activity before dividing into
nine groups for daily activities, such as
handchimes/handbells, singing, artistic
movement, art, working on the murals,
pottery, and theater. The groups enjoyed
a snack mid-morning and gathered for
a closing activity before dismissal just
before noon each day.
Thanks go to our talented and marvelous
staff members Lydia Schettler, Kelli
Stoa, Brianne Magel, Kate McClean,
Sandy Miller, and Samantha Whalen,
led by Jade Fox, who directed the camp.
It is thanks to their caring dedication
and hard work that our children’s arts
program is so strong.
A special thank you to our artists, Laura
Todd, who led the mural painting on the
3rd floor and Heidi Janecke, who led the
Christian fish mural painting located
outside of Waveland Hall.
We also want to thank the many
volunteers who worked incredibly hard
shepherding our campers to their daily
sessions and leading the campers in some
wonderful Godly discussion: Jocelyn
Smith, Dan Stoa, Mary Daily Lange,
Alice Fuglsang, Linda McFarlane, Chris
Woods, Charles Stoa, Peyton McCulloh,
Erin Riker, Michelle Breach, Marcia
Gilmer, Gwen Pletcher, Jen Fox, Rachel
Bruns, Amelia Mclean, and Holly Stoa.
No doubt kids left our camp after a funfilled week with a new understanding of
loving God and their neighbor through
the creative arts.
To keep the fun and learning going, be
sure to register for weekly
programming that begins
September 4. Scan the
QR code here to register
through Church Center.
A special note, we have rebranded our
PK-12 program as “Plymouth Music
& Arts Academy”. This includes Music
Makers, vocal choirs, handchime and
handbell choirs, the instrumental
ensemble, and the Matins, which will
continue to maintain its own branding.
