Center offers specialty camps

Schoolchildren will have an opportunity to explore the art of America's original settlers.

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The Augusta Jewish Community Center is working to expand children's horizons during the summer with multiple speciality day camps, including one focusing on American Indian art.

The Art of the Native American camp starts Monday and runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. all week.

"We look for new things and try to find teachers to do interesting things," said Alberta Goldberg, the program director for the center.

The camp, taught by North Augusta artist Elizabeth Barnes, will allow campers to create artworks based on American Indian lore.

Barnes said campers will be creating items such as pots and animals with clay, whistles, tepees, Indian drums, ceremonial masks, baskets and their own totem pole.

The camp also includes hidden history lessons about American Indians.

"We all have a good time," Barnes said. "That's the best part. Everyone has fun. They get to be creative and learn a little something when they aren't expecting it."

Goldberg said campers will participate in the specialty camp in the mornings and will participate in more traditional camp activities, including swimming, archery and sports, in the afternoons.

For information about the center's camps, call (706) 228-3636 or visit www.augustajcc.org.