Daron Letts
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (July 22/05) - It's more fun than video games and TV.

Children aged 8-13 are exploring their artistic freedom this summer at the third annual Creative Camp, organized by Yellowknife's Erika Wallbridge.

Wallbridge is back in town after studying for a semester in Australia. She is in the final year of her Fine Arts and Drama degree at Bishops University in Montreal.

"I've always loved working with kids because they're so passionate about their art," she said. "Maybe it's because I'm still a kid at heart, too."

The program she developed offers days filled with artistry in action.

The children play games, dance, build multi-media sculptures, rehearse plays, go on nature walks and splatter paint with enthusiasm.

Wallbridge and fellow camp leader Noel Hernandez go with the flow, adapting each day's schedule to the children's interests and talents. As much as possible, they keep the children out of doors and active.

Camp rules

Safety and respect are the two camp rules. When it comes to art and fun, imagination is the only limitation. This week the children explored Australian aboriginal culture through art, music and legends. Upcoming theme weeks include pinhole photography, a production of Alice in Wonderland, comic strip drawing and a production of Shakespeare's The Tempest.

"At the end of the day, the kids feel proud of what they've created," she said. "Children who are introduced to art and performance at a young age tend to be the ones who stick with it later in life."

Space is limited to 18 children per week.