On Friday July 11, friends and family gathered at the Ellen Harris Center to watch the children of Project KIDS in action. They were staging a program marking the conclusion of all summer camps. In addition to demonstrations of the academic and life skills learned from PK’s own teachers, the students performed several modern dance routines taught by Bridget Archer of the International Ballet Competition. With funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission, Ms. Archer conducted IBC’s Summer Arts Camp, on site, throughout the six weeks of summer enrichment.

The afternoon began with a short reading and an opening prayer from rising 5^th-grader Donald Moncure. Several children then reminded us of Project KIDS’ meaning – Knowledge, Imagination, Determination, and Success. This was followed by the first dance routine to “Wanna Be Starting Something.” Mr. Powell next asked one of his music theory students to show the tune he’d learned on piano. Mrs. Washington teaches the children about the importance of character. For this program she led a group of her students in a sing-along about the value of different people’s roles in society. They then made way for the second choreographed routine, “Dancing Machine.” Ms. Rayne has been teaching the children Spanish. And to show how proficient they’ve become, she led them through the multiple-versed “Buenos Dias” to the tune of “Frere Jacque.” Keeping in the musical vein, Mr. Powell conducted an exercise that displayed his students’ knowledge of different notes and rhythms. A third dance routine followed to “A-B-C.”

For the next portion of the festivities, all the instructors, including Mmes. Bultler, Porter, and Davis, granted awards of achievement to children in their respective disciplines. Ms. Rayne then returned to the stage for a musical number of her own, the inspirational “Accept What God Allows.” This was followed by the jubilation of staff joining the children on stage for the final dance piece, “Cleveland Shuffle.” The wonderful program was drawn to a close by the stirring and affirming remarks of Shoestring’s Deputy Director Dr. Martha Alexander. Special thanks go the IBC, our teachers and our volunteers for a great summer!

>>>For more pictures, click here: Summer Finale Pictures
>>>For videos, click here: Summer Finale Videos

The week of July 7 – 11 represented the fourth and final Project KIDS auxiliary camp hosted by St. Andrew’s highschoolers. For Operation HorseShoes, the campers started out each day with a van ride from the Ellen Harris Center to Providence Hill Farms near Pocahontas. After a few inspirational words, they would split into three groups. Throughout the course of the day, the groups would then rotate among a perfect trifecta of horseback riding, fishing, and games. Whether trotting around the covered arena or reeling in a large-mouth bass, the children had blast out in the joyful surroundings of nature. We appreciate Jamie Martin and Tracy Woods for co-directing Operation HorseShoes. And kudos also goes to Emily Hildebrand for running ArtStrings, as well as her brother Taylor Hildebrand for directing HoopStrings and RacquetStrings. But special thanks go to Ellen Gabardi for coordinating the whole supplemental summer camp partnership between Operation Shoestring and St. Andrew’s School.

>>>For more pictures, click here: Operation HorseShoes Photos

As the summer rolls on, so do the specialized camps. The penultimate pairing of Project KIDS and St. Andrew’s high school came in the form of Operation ArtStrings. Over the last week of June, the highschoolers and campers met here at the Ellen Harris Center. In addition to interspersed games and songs, the children enjoyed daily art projects such as drawing, painting, and mask decoration. The wonderful week reinforces the belief that well-rounded development includes outlets for expressive creativity.

>>>For more pictures, click here: Operation ArtStrings Photos