Camp Magic 2011 - Activities

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		CIRCUSFor the past 6 years Camp Magic has been offering activities that focus on developing Circus Skills.Why develop Circus Skills?Well, perhaps a better question….why not?!! Children love to develop activities related to the Circus Arts. Aside from developing both sides of the brain (which, as many parents know, puts your child at an advantage both creatively and academically) and being really fun, the circus arts are non-competative, allowing your child to develop new skills at their own pace.
Benefits of Circus SkillsImproved balance, body coordination, fitness, flexibility, concentration, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and self-esteem. The circus skills we will be working on this year at Camp Magic are:
		UNICYCLING Especially designed for children, with an easily adjustable seat. DIABOLO The diabolo is a juggling prop consisting of a spool which is whirled and tossed on a string tied to two sticks held one in each hand. A variety of tricks are possible using the sticks and string. FLOWER STICKS These are a gyroscopic form of juggling, and are quite tricky to use! It is amazing how quickly some children are able to pick these up and use them. POI SPINNING We have a variety of poi on hand for the children this year. Aside from our regular ribbon poi that are both beautiful and fun to spin, we will also have some new sets of the ribbon poi, colourful flag poi, and even illuminated poi for our older campers. PLATE SPINNING Plate spinning has become a popular and regular addition to our circus skills program!
STILT-WALKINGWe offer both hand-held and free standing stilts. Children as young as 5 years can get up on our hand-held stilts. JUGGLING The children start off learning how to juggle plastic bags, and work their way up to balls! HULA HOOPS Another regular feature, we will also have available for the first time large weighted hula hoops for Mum and Dad to try!
		THE MAGICAL MORNING GARDENWhat better way to enter a program? Surrounded by colourful teepees, bubbles blowing in the breeze, full-group paint collages, gypsy wish flags hanging throughout the area, drums, guitars, and other instruments sounding, plus all the circus activities above on offer... children can't wait to get started for the day. Parents are always invited to join in if they have time. HAND-DRUMMING & GUITAR LESSONS Each lunch-time, our resident musicians teach children group guitar lessons. This gives children a chance to develop their skills. For some children, it is just a matter of learning to hold the guitar and strum that is deeply satisfying, whilst older children learn to play specific chords. Drums are available in our Magical Morning Garden at least two times each week. Facilitators lead drum circles, welcoming parents to join in if they wish!
SAND AND WATER PLAY For the first time ever at Camp Magic we will have a sand and water play area for our youngest campers. This will be available to them during all of our outdoor times.




ART
The Art Program at Camp Magic is unique. It has been continuously developed over the past 12 years. In the beginning of our program, Katherine McLeod enjoyed assisting children to develop one main piece of "process art". The children would work through the story each day as they added new and different bits of colour and texture to their large piece of paper. Many parents began sharing that these pieces were so special to their children they started to frame them! We will be displaying at Camp this year some of the framed pieces we have collected to give parents an idea of how well they last over the years. Both Katherine McLeod and Bruce Home work together now to develop the art program at Camp Magic- always searching for new ways to help children reach new places within the story through their artwork. For parents who think that only their girls enjoy this aspect of the program, you may be pleasantly surprised at how much the boys can't wait to sit and paint their works of story art each day!
		SINGING AND MUSICChildren at Camp Magic love the music and songs! Each group co-creates a song with their facilitator that is presented at our end-of-week performance. DANCE/MOVEMENTAll facilitators are trained to move and groove with your children. The songs created are often accompanied by wonderful movements with the groups.
PIZZA MAKINGThis December at Solstice the children will be making pizzas each Friday. The pizzas will be cooked and served at our end-of-week celebration.
		CRAFTOur weekly crafts are also listed in the Calendar section. The craft program, like the bread baking, has been developed to support the weekly theme and story. LITTLE LANDSAt Camp Magic WE LOVE JUNK! Children who have come to our program know- everyone loves the little lands room. Packed to the brim with re-cycled, re-usable items, this area is a unique space of open-ended creating.


Monday - FridayAt Camp Magic, we focus on so many things. But what lies at the heart of it all? A story. Children can never get enough of them! This is why, every day, your children will hear stories.
Not only will they hear the story that we are developing for the performance... Johnny Gillett, Bruce Home, and Katherine McLeod share polished and professional stories with the children throughout the week. On Monday mornings, there is an opening performance for the children and parents. This begins at approximately 9:10am, and goes for 15 minutes. Friday afternoon performances is what the children and parents look forward to throughout each week. These begin at 2:30pm on Friday afternoons.