Kids bend and stretch minds, bodies and souls at parish's day camp

At St. John's School, pre-kindergarten teacher Kathy Brocks just began three weeks of morning camp for children 3-6.

The object of the morning sessions is to let the children have fun while teaching them to share and get along, and to further their education with small science projects and observations.

"In the summer, I try to do more hands-on projects. They can get wet and dirty, and it's not a problem," said Ms. Brocks, who has 14 years of experience at St. John's.

Themes

The theme of the second day was nature, so Ms. Brocks brought in a story to read about two birds trying to build the perfect nest. But the children were in for a surprise.

"This," said Ms. Brocks as she reached into a bag, "is a real bird's nest, and here is a real robin's egg."

The children's eyes widened in delight as they crowded in to peer at the treasure. They discussed what birds use to make a nest; then Ms. Brocks taught them about God's love for all His creatures, and how the homes of even the smallest animals must be respected.

Helpers

Ms. Brocks' other helper, Ashley Butrym, 12, is in her first year as an assistant.

"I like playing with the kids, seeing them have a good time," Ashley said.

Coloring

After making paper birds and nests of their very own, the children put on smocks and painted. Plain white paper quickly became colorful as they liberally applied reds and greens to their masterpieces.

After burning off excess energy on the playground, the children gathered for another story before camp was over for the day.

This time, the book was called "I Love You This Much." It tells how much a mother bear loves her cub. Mother Bear says that God loves her cub that much, too. "I trust you know that God is so by what I do," the mother tells her baby.

Ms. Brocks told the children that not only do their mommies and daddies love them, but God and Jesus love them, too. "And so do your teachers, of course!" she added with a smile.

She then led them off to dance to a Mickey Mouse record, one last activity before the day's fun was over.

(07-18-02) [[In-content Ad]]