Farewell to Summer: Summer Camp(s !)

First of all, let the reader put all of the traditional notions of 'camping' out of his or her mind. When I write of 'camps' here, it is not the kind that requires tents and other equipment. Rather it is that sort of 'theme day camp' that is known and loved by kids and parents everywhere during the Summer months. In this case it was a time for our young people to spend at the Church in order to devote themeselves to education and training. This Summer we had our second annual Choir Camp and our first [hopefully annual] Camp Cookie.

The main musical repertoire of our Choir Camp was the Evening Service in C, by George Dyson (consisting of Magnificat & Nunc Dimmittis). We also worked on vocal technique and music theory, assisted by our RSCM Voice for Life workbooks. Rhonda led a fine art class, in which the choristers created some interesting and fun craft projects. We were supposed to have dance and Tai Chi instruction, but that did not work out. Instead, Drew saved the day. He came all the way from Microsoft during his lunch break to lead the choristers in group games for a break from their hard work. Each chorister was delighted to recieve a complementary deck of Uno cards from Drew. (Game Camp next Summer, anyone?)
Camp Cookie - this was a 'first' in our Parish, but hopefully it will become an annual event. This 1-Day Camp served a more general 'clientele' (as it were), kids 3 - 16 were invited. A goodly number of moms came too. My 3 year old attended with his Personal Behavioral Assistant (mom). The Camp was led by Robert & Debra, who are both professional educators: Robert is a physical education teacher at a public elementary school, and Debra (now retired) operated a preschool for 25 years. The stated purpose of Camp Cookie was to prepare cookies for the Kairos Prison Ministry. However, it was also a great thing for the kids to just be there to interact with Debra and Robert and partake in their quality activites which our Church is so blessed to be able to offer.