SUMMER CAMP

Summer Camp. Well--not for me, for the kids. It's what's been up with me the last 3 weeks. I'm one of the counselors for the 17 kids ages 3-4 in my classroom. It has its ups and downs but most of the time it's pretty comical. I bring my sketchbook with me wherever I go, but I normally wouldn't take it out while I work until one day, the kids were given blank white canvas sketchbooks---yes! Sketchbooks at the age of 4! Sure, they were a lot smaller than the ones we usually carry around but they got to decorate the front and work in it everyday.

Every morning I'm in charge of the "writing center"--really art center because 4 year olds can't write more than their first names. Anyway, I was sitting there one morning watching them draw and color pretty amazing stuff in their little books (I can already see the future artists stick out). So I thought it was the perfect time to take my sketchbook out and draw these kids that NEVER sit still unless they're drawing or being read to. I used whatever was handy that day: one day crayons, another washable markers, and today, cray pas. The kids enjoyed getting drawn (contrary to people on the train). I even had one girl ask me to draw her again: "But this time, don't draw me so serious..." Another kid drew me--I felt so special! :) Although sometimes they can be a pain in the behind, I do enjoy the happiness they find in simple things. I especially love their art-- it amazes me everyday.