Linnea Good is putting up banners and setting up her keyboard in the Summerland United lower hall. Nearby, Yanti Rowland tunes up 40 ukuleles, Marian Rudisill is spreading craft supplies on tables, and Jake Evans is sizing up the floor space for hip hop moves. It is set-up time for an event that promises to be an action-packed week of music for kids six to 12.
“It’s totally new! The Summerland Music Camp is a dream come true,” says Linnea. “Parents want to give their kids the best shot at learning skills that will help them for life and also help them have a really good time in the summer. I happen to believe that music does that for kids who are so-called ‘musical’ and for kids that are supposedly into other things.”
The inspiration for this camp comes in part from a movement called “El Sistema,” now-worldwide, which believes in building healthy communities through musical instruction in groups.
Good believes that music can be the key to kids having coping skills in middle and high school: “Leaders in this ground-up music movement say, ‘Music cannot fix real problems like hunger and health issues. However, it does help educate children so fewer of them are victims of them.’ To me, this means that children become more self-confident.”
The camp runs during the mornings of July 20 to 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
“We are practically booked up,” says Rowland, “but there is room for a few more children. There are bursaries for families that could use the help, and there are super youth and adult volunteers helping kids make the most of it all.”
Registration is online at linneagood.com. The camp is supported by Summerland United Church and with a grant from the Pro-Vision fund of the United Church of Canada.
