In the summer of 2007 HCEF was able for the first time to offer agencies with educational programs a series of week-long "camp" experiences for their resident children. One of the camp opportunities was storytelling with master storyteller Jackie Jonas. Another was the Pittsburgh Dance Ensemble's African Cultural Expression workshop. This camp introduced children to African culture, arts, and history through drumming, movement, and language.
Since the summer of 2008 HCEF has made available to its "partners in learning" multiple opportunities for their resident children to explore the world of science through Pittsburgh-based LabRatz Science Club. The children revel in creating chemical reactions, getting acquainted with a turtle named Maxwell, using a microscope to see microbes as well as human cells and body tissue, finding fossils in shale, piecing together skeletal remains, understanding potential and kinetic energy, exploring electricity and magnetism. LabRatz offers both a week-long summer "camp" and an after-school option.
2010 brought the following opportunities:
- Art and Languages (French/Spanish) study combined with dance, drumming, visual art, crafts, music offered by the Institute of International Arts and Languages
- Craft workshops with the Society for Contemporary Craft
- Science workshops with the LabRatz Science Club. See a related photo story.
- Silk-screen workshops with the Andy Warhol Museum. See a related photo story.
- Workshops presented by the Center for Victims of Violence and Crime for moms and kids
- Saturday Light Brigade Radio workshops
These accelerated "camp" and after-school programs are funded by corporate contributions received through Pennsylvania's Education Improvements Tax Credit (EITC) program.
(8/14/10)
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