Camp Benefits Street Children, Infuses Character-Building into Art

Around 50 street children and kids from financially challenged families went through a summer camp that used the arts in enhancing their creativity and building a better sense of self and community, on April 11 to 14 on the Silliman campus.

An initiative under the Silliman University Child Network (ChildNet) project of the Cultural Affairs Committee, College of Performing and Visual Arts and the Extension Program, the four-day camp treated children from 8 to 12 years old to a series of fun activities. The activities were geared towards developing their talents, encouraging them to express themselves, and at the same time develop within them the necessary Christian values that strengthen their character and faith.

ChildNet administered skills and character enhancement modules that gave emphasis on music, visual arts, and theater. Youth volunteers from the College and two youth groups, the Youth Advocates through Theater Arts and the Christian Youth Fellowship, facilitated the activities.

Visiting Japanese performing artists Yuko and Mana Takahashi, who are on campus for a separate summer dance theater camp, also pitched in, handling some sessions with the children.

The four-day camp culminated with a performance and an exhibit of the artworks of the children at the Silliman Hall.