Why Creativity?

This summer I'm hosting a few camps for kids focused on creativity. I'm hosting these camps because first of all, I believe it's part of my purpose. God wired me to create and connect. 

I also happen to believe that everyone was made to bring something into existence. It could be something that ushers in beauty, like a garden, but it could also be innovative technology. It could be a new way to design a building, or an original way to argue a case in a courtroom. The possibilities are endless.

However innate, the creative process does take a little intentionality, patience, and courage. It requires you to often push past what is fast and easy and use your brain in a way that requires you to think and feel. 

We can learn much about creativity from children, especially when they are in a safe space to explore and imagine. It's a really beautiful and inspiring process to behold, and one that often sparks my own creativity. 

Here are some other benefits I've witnessed first hand from my time as an art teacher, child life specialist, and parent: 

1) Problem-solving skills: Often there will be some sort of challenge to overcome when practicing creativity. When making art, kids must choose and then experiment which material, medium, color, or texture will give them their desired result. Many times this leads to multiple iterations of the same creation to transfer the image from head to hand. Which leads me to...

2) Resiliency: Creating involves trial and error, or figuring out what's working and what's not. It's also about showing up for practice even when you mess up. 

3) 21st century marketplace skills: One of the most highly sought after skills in the digital age. Read more here and here.

4) Mental and emotional health : It can be a very therapeutic endeavor to take what's on your mind and heart and put it on paper. Or canvas. Or even share an idea. And then sharing the idea breeds....

5) Confidence: When children and adults exercise their creative muscles they gain the confidence to try again. To keep showing up. And when they show up, they increase not only their creativity, but their knowledge and skill in whatever they are pursuing. 

If you are looking for a way for your child to exercise their creativity this summer, we would love to have them join us for Camp Creativity! We have two available sessions as of today: 

Cardboard Creations: June 14 - 17

Superhero Storytelling July 12 -15

Sign up HERE!