The City of Riverbank Parks and Recreation Department hosts a variety of camps throughout the summer for youth in the area to enjoy like Art Camp, Hip Hop Camp, Science Camp and many more. Kicking off the summer season was the Splish Splash Color Blast Art minicamp that was held on June 4 through June 6 at the Scout Hall for kids from three- to six-years-old. On the same days, later in the afternoon, was another art camp for youth between the ages of eight to 12 years old.
The early art camp led by Recreation Leaders Shellie Forkapa and Valorie Franco had about 10 kids participating in a variety of art and crafts including vinegar bubbles, salt and paints, doilies, and stickers for Father’s Day and Fourth of July. A standout activity for the kids was the string art where the campers dipped string in paint and put it in a book, then closed it to create a flower. Then they use the string to paint their faces.
Forkapa, the new Camp advisor, has been with the City for six months and has been part of the Tot Time staff. She expressed that she adores the kids and had a great time with the Splish Splash camp. Franco has been with the City for three years and was enjoying the different activities with the kids as well.
On the final day of Splish Splash, the campers enjoyed some sidewalk chalk art which the weather cooperated with, featuring wispy clouds in the sky and a cool breeze. The advisors and the kids drew many things on the sidewalk and even wrote the ABC’s on the ground and sang the song.
Recreation Leader Vanessa Argumedo led the Art minicamp in the afternoon where participants created tiles with markers, painting, drawings, making bracelets, string art, and more.
The final day of camp the campers engaged in a painting on a canvass. All the campers were allowed to take their creations home.
“Splish Splash and Art for Kids went great,” said Julia Petit, Recreation Supervisor. “Some very fun art projects were created and I did get a chance to see those and a few kiddos covered in paint. Our Art for Kids instructor, Vanessa, is one of my most creative employees and she planned out the projects. My favorite was a project used string, ink, and a book to make a beautiful flower.”
This week Hip Hop Camp is underway and registration is open for the Little Einstein’s Camp, Science Camp, Princess Spa Day, and Outdoor Adventure Camp.
For more information call 209-863-7150 or visit www.riverbank.org.
