Even at a young age, our Creative Camp kids share profound insights about their artworks that show just how much is happening inside their minds. They observe their surroundings and also look within their own hearts and minds to tune in on even the smallest of details.

Looking both outward and inward is important especially as kids begin to associate themselves with bigger ideas, values, and behaviors that define them. Adelyn created a self-portrait using no images of her actual face. Instead, she looked inward where she carries creativity, peace, family, and nature near to her heart. In a similar way, Mykayla likened herself to a slice of cake that looks rather simple from the outside but is layered with surprisingly complex flavors of which symbolize her personality. These kinds of insights are great conversation starters for us (educators, parents, friends, etc.) to encourage one another to keep digging deeper into exploring who we are and why we are.

One of our youngest members, Juyoung, reflected on the loss of a beloved pet named Cola who provided so much joy for him and his family. At 6 years old, he is tuning into the emotions associated with such an event and is working through consoling his grandparents all while cherishing special memories he had with Cola. TaleTree sees the value in sharing these stories and opening up not only to others but also to ourselves because in time, these lessons will carry them through to be more genuinely kind, confident, and empathetic human beings.

What kind of tree are you? What kind of cake? And how do you tune into your relationship with the people around you, including yourself?

“Children are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded.” – Jess Lair

Sign Up for Creative Camp

Challenge 1

Without using any photographs of yourself, how would you illustrate a self-portrait? What kind of imagery best represents you?

Think outside of the box and consider the use of colors, textures, shapes, materials, etc. with this challenge.

Challenge 2

Photojournalists use their cameras to capture and share stories with people all around the world. Sometimes, photojournalists will wait for long hours in the middle of a swamp to get the perfect picture of a rare, endangered animal. Other times, they will follow a news story to capture local stories. This is how we often learn about other cultures, creatures, climates, and more.

As a photojournalist of your home, what kind of scenes are important to capture in the story of your room? Your kitchen? Your living room?

*Borrow a phone, tablet, or digital camera from your parents and use it with caution!

Challenge 3

Design the wackiest hairstyle ever known on Earth! Sculpt it, draw it, build it, or try using a material you haven’t used before. Best of all, wear it to your camp session this week!

Challenge 4

Origami is a Japanese artform of folding paper into all kinds of shapes, figurines, containers, and more. Try a new origami that you haven’t made before.

Can you even design your own origami?