Registration is now open for The Westport Library’s summer learning camps: Camp Explore and Summer Learning Clubs.
Camp Explore returns for its fifth year of free STEAM exploration, with workshops kicking off June 25 and running through late July. Among the courses offered this year are Coding LightLego with Josh Burker for kids entering grades 7-9 (June 25-27), Sculpture with Iyaba Ibo Mandingo for grades 6-8 (July 9-11), and Bats Langley's Impressionist Picnic also for grades 6-8 (July 23-25).
Summer Learning Clubs integrate math, literacy, and STEAM activities into a thematic approach, with each class blending inquiry, design, research, writing, and the arts. Taught by certified teachers, this program melds traditional academic activities into a Project Based Learning experience and student-driven study. The Library offers three sessions for kids entering first through eighth grades, with the majority of classes held Tuesday and Wednesday of each week: Three-hour classes for grades 1-2 and also for grades 3-5, and two-hour classes for middle schoolers.
Starting June 25 and running until August 14, the weekly sessions for 2024 include: plant science (June 25-26), collage and mosaic (July 1-2), poetry (July 9-10), environmental sciences (July 16-17), paper and print making (July 23-24), music (July 30-31), and edible science (August 6-7). For the week of August 13-14, grades 1-2 will focus on the Olympics, with grades 3-5 and middle schoolers covering story telling. There will also be a standalone class held August 19 on middle school organizational skills.
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“Camp Explore and the Summer Learning Clubs are two of our most popular offerings,” said Youth Services Director Mary Parmelee. “They’re a great way to get kids active in the summer, keep their minds working and growing, and apply many of the concepts they’ve learned in school in a way that is both social and fun.”
In addition to Camp Explore and the Summer Learning Clubs, the Children’s Library’s early literacy programming will continue to be offered throughout the summer. For details, visit the Children’s Library events page.
Camp Explore and the Summer Learning Clubs are brought to the Library by the continuing generosity of Roz and Bud Siegel.
Looking for programs to keep your kids active and engaged this summer? The Westport Library has you covered.
Once again in 2023, the Children’s Library will host a series of offerings for all ages and interests, including STEAM programs, summer learning clubs, and, of course, a summer reading challenge.
Camp Explore returns for its fourth year of STEAM exploration, with workshops kicking off June 27 and running into August. Among the courses offered this year are Microbit Makery with Josh Burker for grades 6-8, African Mask Making with Iyaba Ibo Mandingo for grades 5-6, and Matica Arts (circus skills) with Heidi Kirchofer and Joel Melendez for grades 6-8. In addition, there will be a one-day class on jewelry making with the Library’s own Sharon Cooper and a Matica Circus performance on August 8 at 10 am that is fully open to the public, no registration needed.
The Summer Learning Clubs integrate math, literacy, and STEAM activities into a thematic approach, with each class blending inquiry, design, research, writing, and the arts. Taught by certified teachers, this program melds traditional academic activities into a Project Based Learning experience and student-driven study. The Library offers three sessions for kids of all ages: Three-hour classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for Grades 1-3, three-hour classes on the same days for Grades 4-5, and weekly sessions on Mondays for middle schoolers.
Both Camp Explore and the Summer Learning Clubs are brought to the Library by the continuing generosity of Roz and Bud Siegel.
“Camp Explore and the Summer Learning Clubs are two of our most popular offerings,” said Youth Services Director Mary Parmelee. “They’re a great way to get kids active in the summer, keep their minds working and growing, and apply many of the concepts they’ve learned in school in a way that is both social and fun.”
The summer reading challenge — Imagine Your Summer — kicks off June 1 and encourages kids to read anything, anytime, anywhere, all summer long. It runs through September 3. To take part, kids can register online and keep track of minutes read. For every 100 minutes read, kids can decorate a summer sun that will be displayed in the Children’s Library. At 500 minutes, kids earn a treat from Shake Shack. And at 1,000 minutes, they get to choose a free book to keep from the Library’s selection of titles.
And, of course, there will be weekly free programming offered throughout the summer, including Miss Lynne’s Summer Storytime, Princess Diana’s Storytime, Ready Readers, Rhythm & Rhyme, Story Fun with Mrs. Olson, Storytime on the Green, and Tummy Time.
Matica Arts
*August 8: FREE public performance open to all before the workshops!
August 8-10: Workshops: Registration required
10--11:30 am
Grades 6-8
Matica Arts weaves joy, rowdiness, and athleticism through juggling, a really tall unicycle, sky-high tosses with a Chinese yo-yo, and some beautiful acro-dance with a devil stick! Workshop participants will challenge their dexterity and coordination with various circus props like juggling balls and stilts.
Heidi Kirchofer and Joel Melendez are co-founders of Matica Arts and Thrive Movement Studio. Heidi is a veteran performing and teaching artist and has traveled internationally training, collaborating, and performing. Joel is a gifted performer known for his unicycling, clowning, juggling, and improvisational and acrobatic skills. Joel is a “physical artist” who loves exploring the vast capabilities of the human body. As a physical artist, Heidi is inspired by the body’s endless movement combinations and in awe of its ability to create, work, and heal.
Camp Explore is made possible through the continuing generosity of Roz and Bud Siegel.
The Library is pleased to be able to offer free programs and events through the generous donations of patrons like you. Please consider giving to the Library so that we can continue to offer events like this one. Your donation is tax deductible. Donate Now!
Microbit Makery!
Josh Burker
June 27-29
10:00-11:30 am
Grades 6-8
Learn physical computing with the fun and flexible Microbit. A series of programming projects will encourage you to interact with the hardware, communicate with your fellow workshop members, and get physical with your creations! No prior programming experience needed. A willingness to try things, debug, and have fun is helpful and welcome!
Josh Burker is the creative technology teacher at Marymount School Upper Middle Division in New York City. He has taught in both public and private schools for more than 20 years, working with Logo programming, robotics, fabrication, electronics, and art. He writes books, holds workshops for teachers, and consults on educational projects that he finds inclusive and disruptive. He is the author of The Invent to Learn Guide to Fun and The Invent to Learn Guide to More Fun, both of which inspire makers of all ages to explore the intersection of crafting and technology through whimsical, creative projects.
Camp Explore is made possible by the continuing generosity of Roz and Bud Siegel.
The Library is pleased to be able to offer free programs and events through the generous donations of patrons like you. Please consider giving to the Library so that we can continue to offer events like this one. Your donation is tax deductible. Donate Now!
African Mask Making
Iyaba Ibo Mandingo
July 10-12
10-11:30 am
Grades 5-6
Explore African culture and personal expression through mask making. Using recycled material and found objects, students will create individual masks. Recycled art will be discussed. Layered bit and pieces of cardboard will form the masks' different features. This workshop is an engaging way for children to learn about West African culture and the history of West African Mask Making.
Iyaba Ibo Mandingo is a painter poet, writer, actor, and playwright, arts collaborator, artist advocate, and arts educator. He came to the United States from his native country of Antigua as a young boy. Iyaba owes his love of the arts to his mother, a trained singer, and his grandparents, a tailor and seamstress who first introduced him to colors and patterns, paving a path to the many forms of expression he employs. Iyaba studied fine arts at Southern Connecticut State University. He teaches in and around the tri-state area as a master teaching artist. Iyaba currently resides in Bridgeport, where his art gallery — 9104 The Art House — serves as a workspace classroom and creative hub.
Camp Explore is made possible by the continuing generosity of Roz and Bud Siegel.
The Library is pleased to be able to offer free programs and events through the generous donations of patrons like you. Please consider giving to the Library so that we can continue to offer events like this one. Your donation is tax deductible. Donate Now!
Jewelry Making: Novel Necklaces
Sharon Cooper
July 25
10-11:30 am
Grades 6-8
Learn to create your own beautiful and unique designs! Skills include design and necklace layout (sizing, bead type), crimping, wrapping, and attaching closures. The Library will supply materials for each participant to create their own necklace.
Sharon Cooper has been creating beaded jewelry for nearly 10 years. It was while working at The Westport Library that she developed her passion for beading and design. On her lunch breaks, Sharon would often browse the extensive collection on jewelry making. From these books, and a one-hour class at a beading store, Sharon honed her skills and created Novel Necklaces.
Camp Explore is made possible by the continuing generosity of Roz and Bud Siegel.
The Library is pleased to be able to offer free programs and events through the generous donations of patrons like you. Please consider giving to the Library so that we can continue to offer events like this one. Your donation is tax deductible. Donate Now!
