Last summer, Bridgeport Parks & Recreation hosted "Let's Paint: Kids! Summer Camp" at the Benedum Civic Center. Four-day sessions – held in June and July – featured everyone’s favorite characters from SpongeBob and Minion characters.

 

Instructor Brenda Smith is gearing up for another round of summertime day camps; this year throwing in a brand new idea. Preceding a July paint camp – again centered around a Minion theme – Smith will teach two kids’ cooking/baking camps. The first camp, slated for June 14-17, is already filled to capacity, but there is availability for the second event, to be held June 27-30.

 

“We’ll be making desserts – from baking homemade cinnamon rolls and cookies to making pie crusts and decorating cakes,” Smith said.

 

Promoting creativity and basic crafting and painting techniques, the paint camp will include activities like acrylic painting and craft projects utilizing various mediums on canvas, wood, slate and glass. Snacks will be provided each day. The session runs 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 19-22.

 

“We will be doing some of the same projects as last year and some new ones too,” Smith said.

 

On the last day, students will exhibit their projects for their family members to see. The camp is open to children entering second grade and older. The cost is $125 per session. Registration is available at the Benedum Civic Center. For more information on any of these or other children’s programs, call 304-842-8240.

 

Smith will also be teaming up with Grafton’s Brenda Tokarz to offer adult paint classes on Tygart Lake. For the cost of $40, individuals can enjoy a two-hour lake cruise and create a water-related painting right on the boat. Look for more on this class opportunity coming to Connect-Bridgeport. 

 

Editor's note: Pictured are scenes from the 2015 Let's Paint Kids! classes.