Housatonic Valley Waldorf School Summer Camp Begins

By Eliza Hallabeck

This summer Housatonic Valley Waldorf School offered its summer camp for two age groups, ages 3 to 7 and ages 8 to 12, but all of the students at the camp will add their mark to a creation that is being overseen by Newtown artist Kathy Grose.

By Thursday, July 14, most of the students in the summer camp had learned painting tips from Ms Grose on individual projects, and had started work on a large canvas that will eventually be a joint group painting.

“When people paint together they learn things about themselves and about each other,” said Ms Grose.

The first week of the camp ran from July 11 to 15, and according to volunteer and Board of Trustees Treasurer David Freedman and Camp Director Carrie Reilly, parents can still sign children up for the any week of the program, which runs through August 12. During the first week, students in the younger group worked on planting “Summer’s Garden,” a small vegetable garden, and the older group of camper worked on painting the art canvas with Ms Grose along with working in the organic garden.

Mr Freedman said the camp offered parents and children unfamiliar with a Waldorf school education, the chance to experience it first hand. For the younger age group, one week in the program costs $200, and for the older age group a week in the program costs $250. Parents can also sign children up to attend the camp earlier or later than the 9 am to 3 pm schedule, for additional costs.

While Ms Grose worked with a number of students on Thursday, huddled over the artwork’s canvas,  other students climbed the school’s playground or swung on swings in the enclosed yard.

Mr Freedman said his own children attend both Housatonic Valley Waldorf School and the school’s summer camp, which he helped organize.

“They absolutely love the school and the camp,” he said.

Working in the organic vegetable garden, Ms Reilly said, helps students build “practical skill for them to know in the future.”

Not only did students help plant the garden, students also learned how to make homemade bread and much more, according to Ms Reilly.

The painting, once completed, will be hung in the school, and Ms Grose said all of the students signed up for the camp the first week will have a chance to add to the painting.

Ms Grose also attends fairs at Housatonic Valley Waldorf School and paints with groups at the fairs. She also said she leads group painting seminars for individual families and adults. Each group of students at the camp will add to the painting until it is finally finished, she said.

“It’s always an interesting project,” said Ms Grose.

While the end painting will be abstract, Ms Grose said students always see a piece of their work within it, and tend to point out objects they think they see within the twisting lines and colors.

For more information about Housatonic Valley Waldorf School’s Summer Camp call Carrie Reilly, camp director, at 203-364-9557 or e-mail camp@waldorfct.org.