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AUGUSTA — In partnership with the Children’s Discovery Museum, the Gannett House Project First Amendment Museum hosted area children at its Speak Your Mind camp the week of July 10 at the Viles Arboretum.
The camp, for children ages 7 through 11, combined nature experiences with experiences that helped them learn about being an active citizen.
“We are excited to explore the ways kids can take ownership of an opinion and take action in their community,” said Rebecca Lazure, executive director of the Gannett House Project.
Kids have lots of opinions, and campers used their opinions to experiment with storytelling, music, art and writing. Campers selected a cause that they care about and used symbols, words and conversation to share them with each other. The activities culminated with the publication of a “zine” at the end of the week.
Daily hikes at the Viles Arboretum in Augusta inspired excitement about the natural world among the campers. Mark DesMeules, of the abortetum, said, “We welcome every opportunity to provide outdoor and nature-oriented opportunities to our area youngsters. The arboretum grounds, with its diversity of habitats, is an ideal environment for children to learn about and learn an appreciation for nature.”
The camp is a part of the Children’s Discovery Museum’s Kids in the Woods camp series which will offered other themed camps the weeks of July 17, July 31, and Aug. 7.
“It is important for children to feel empowered and connected to their community, and this camp is helping us achieve that goal. It is exciting to be combining the strengths of these three organizations to produce such a wonderful camp for children,” says Amarinda Keys, executive director of the Children’s Discovery Museum.
For more information, visit www.childrensdiscoverymuseum.org or call the museum at 207-622-2209. For more information on the Gannett House Project, call 207-557-2290, or visit gannetthouseproject.org.
