Get your kids in the “monkey” frame of mind
By: David DeGennaro 05/01/2010
Spring is in the air and summer is right around the corner! If you're looking for fun, affordable and local summer day camps for kids, look no further than Camden Music School (CMS). This year, CMS is offering two exciting summer day camps: "Monkey Mind Pirates" in July and "Camp Komoniwannrock" in August.
Monkey Mind Pirates is a big, fun creative burst of music, theater and puppetry for kids 8-11. Campers learn the basics of songwriting and puppetry, then create their own puppets and collectively compose a song. At the same time, campers learn how to navigate the stormy seas of stress and distraction with mindfulness techniques drawn from the yoga tradition. ("Monkey mind" is a yoga term that describes how the brain sometimes swings from thought to thought, unable to focus.)
All students and their creations will be featured in three public performances of Monkey Mind Pirates at The Warren-An Artists Habitat in Camden. Chris Griffith and Shari Aronson of Z Puppets Rosenschnoz (www.zpuppets.org) and CMS instructor David DeGennaro, bring an innovative blend of talents to this production, made possible by a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council and sponsored by Our Neighborhood Works (www.ourneighborhoodworks.org). This camp runs from July 19-24.
In August, CMS is proud to offer their 2nd annual Camp Komoniwannrock! This two-week long, half-day camp is for kids in grades 5-8 who sing and/or play guitar, bass, drums or keyboards. CMS instructors Jeffrey Willkomm and David DeGennaro will lead the camp.
Students will be divided into rock ‘n roll bands based on experience and instrumentation, and will learn a full set of rock ‘n roll music to be performed for an audience on the last day of camp. In the process, kids learn the basic elements of rock: how to establish a groove; how to solo (for more experienced players); music theory; performance etiquette; stage presence and much more! Camp Komoniwannrock runs Monday-Thursday from August 2-12.
For info on these camps and other exciting learning opportunities at Camden Music School, go to www.camdenmusicschool.com or call 612-618-0219.