Off to Oz

Flowers made from tissue paper, songs, dances and the makings for a mural are all in a days work at the Arts Adventure summer day camp.

About 100 children ages 6 to 11 are participating in the sixth annual Arts Adventure camp, which features an “Oz” theme this year. The Liberty Center Association for the Arts sponsors the week-long camp at Convention Hall in Liberty Park.

Art can help children feel proud and boost their self-esteem, said Nancy McDowell, who organizes the camp and is the director of the Liberty Center. The camp, which ends Friday, is offered free of charge.

“I think it’s an opportunity for children who do not normally have the opportunity to have an experience with the arts,” McDowell said.

The children will follow “the yellow brick road” throughout the week as they make crafts, sing songs from the musical, learn dances and finish art projects with an “Oz” theme.

Four people have volunteered as teachers for the camp and the Boys and Girls Club of West Central Missouri, which has 50 elementary members participating in the camp, provides helpers and lunch for all the children.

In the art class, children are coloring pictures of characters from “Oz” that will be used to construct a mural. They also have made handprints from a variety of colors to make a rainbow.

Art teacher Shawn Harris said art allows children to express themselves creatively and work in teams.

“It gets them thinking in ways the might not normally think,” he said. “Two plus two in art doesn’t always equal four. There are different ways to get to the solution. That builds different problem-solving skills that they don’t normally get.”

Art also incorporates elements from history and math.

“It’s just an overall well-rounding experience for students,” he said.

Campers got to act like flying monkeys Tuesday in music and drama class. Melissa Westphal, who directed the youth production of “Oz” at the Liberty Center, is teaching music and drama at the camp.

“It gives them a chance to do things they don’t normally do,” she said of the camp. “It just gives them a little bit of something else. The kids seem to really enjoy it and having a good time.”

Ashlynn Liebl, 9, of Sedalia, said she’s enjoyed the crafts and dancing.

“It’s just fun,” she said.

Children learn dance routines and play games under the direction of Leigh Chaves.

“I’m trying to get them aware it doesn’t have to be tights and tutus,” she said. “It can be hip-hop and break dancing.”