The Children’s Summer Arts Experience is an experience into the culture of another country using the arts as the driving factor. The camp takes place the first week after the 4th of July. Children aged K & 1st grades attend from 9am -12pm, children aged 2nd & 4th grade attend (9 – 12 am or 1 – 4pm), children aged 5th grade and above attend from 9am – 4pm. During the week the children will be given age appropriate classes in visual arts, dance, theatre, music ad the culture of the country. Additionally outside professionals will bring their expertise to demonstrate for the participants. This year we are bringing Pam Makricosta from Weirton, WV . She is the host of a radio program called “The Athenian Hour” which offers a mix of Greek music, language, culture and history. She is the literary and lifelong learning coordinator at Mary H. Weir Public Library. We have also invited Mayor Greg Fraunfelter (retired track coach) to direct a mini Olympic games for the children. To show the importance of sheep to the Greek culture Meta Van Nostran will be bringing wool and lamb.

The 4 instructors for the camp are:
Marcia Jeffrey – theatre
Robyn Lindsey – dance
Jeremy McAfee – visual arts
Mary Rizzardi – music

We target the children of Hocking County and surrounding counties – this year we are inviting children with special needs to participate.

Because we have so very little diversity in our city we find this project is very important in this global world and will promote peace and understanding of other cultures. This is the 16th year we have provided our community with the knowledge of other cultures.

Summer enrichment experiences for young people of all ages are a special opportunity to engage in learning when they are not in school, while also being exposed to cultures with which they might not be familiar.

We hear often how access to cultural experiences can sometimes be limited for young people across our region; with the OPA! Greece Summer Camp experience, The Bowen House will bring the artistic and cultural history of Greece to young people from Hocking County and neighboring counties, exposing them to a new culture, but also one that has so strongly influenced our own and broader Western culture.