Hastings-Tillicum Community School Hosts Explorations Summer Camps

With $15,000 in funding from Explorations, the Vancouver School District hosted three arts camps for 54 children, aged 6-11. Held at Hastings-Tillicum Community School, the camps attracted participants from four neighbouring schools. Each camp had a theme: Super Heroes; Imagination Station and Discover the Art in Nature.

Activities included making crests, capes and super hero puppets, simple set design, and creating a dramatic piece. In addition, students learned the painting and drawing techniques of various painters and went on field trips to Strathcona Community Gardens and Van Dusen Gardens. Organizers say Explorations allowed children to experience an art camp in their own community and enabled participation from lower-income families.

Explorations provided students in kindergarten to Grade 7 with opportunities to explore arts, sport and recreation in summer camp settings. The program, which ran from 2005-2008, served students who were otherwise unable to attend summer camps due to location, local resources or financial limitations. Explorations was supported by the Province of British Columbia.