Students Explore Global Cultures at ELF’s Arts Around the World Summer Camp

Continuing with the efforts to promote health and education among children, the Education and Leadership Foundation’s Education Department hosted the Arts Around the World Summer Camp at California State University, Fresno.

This activity was one of several summer enrichment programs made available through the Fresno Unified School District. Designed for Transitional Kindergarten through 4th grade students, the camp designed by the ELF team provided young learners with an engaging opportunity to explore art, culture, and creativity through hands-on experiences in a university setting.

During weeklong sessions, students participated in activities such as canvas painting, clay sculpting, and ceramic painting while learning about culture, music, arts, and celebrations from around the world, including African American, Indian, Hmong, Mexican, and many others. A total of 230 students participated in the camp, which was offered over three weeklong sessions, with both morning and afternoon programming available.

The program concluded with a vibrant activity inspired by Holi, the Festival of Colors, where students enjoyed had fun creating colorful tshirts using powders, in homage to how the festival is celebrated in India, to mark the end of their summer experience. Families were then invited to a special showcase where students proudly displayed and took home the artwork they created throughout the camp.

Belkis Cariño, Education Department Manager at ELF, shared, “What I love most about our camps is seeing the excitement and curiosity in our students as they experience something new.”

She continued, “Creating a space where they can learn, be creative, have fun, and simply be kids is what makes camp so special to me. Seeing the fellows and staff smiles and also let their inner child come out as they engage with the students and create their own projects fulfills my heart.”

Activities like the summer and winter camps that ELF hosts showcase the need for quality programming at no-cost for families with young children, continuing to promote learning, creativity, and cultural appreciation while helping students develop confidence, friendships with peers, inclusion, and a lifelong love of learning.