This summer, ArtZone’s series of nine weekly summer camps offered children in the Sun Peaks community a chance to explore their creativity, learn new skills and have fun in a safe and engaging environment.
While the first week of August saw a session canceled due to low registration, ArtZone President Marj Knive emphasized that having only one cancellation over the course of nine weeks was a success for a program in its first year.
“At the end of the day, offering it every week is fine,” Knive said. If we cancel once because of low participation, that’s okay too.”
The camps included a variety of activities, from painting and yoga to dance and special sessions featuring community guests. One memorable highlight involved fire prevention officers teaching the children about fire safety.
“The kids were having so much fun, and I’m not sure who was enjoying it more—the fire people or the kids,” Knive said.
The lessons resonated with campers, who excitedly shared what they learned with their families.
With the help of local businesses, ArtZone prioritized accessibility, offering sponsorships for children whose families might not be able to afford the camps.
“If families can’t afford to send their kids, we want them to still be able to come,” she said.
The camps not only fostered creativity in children but also strengthened ArtZone’s connection to the community. With the use of the ArtHub for storage and the resort lending umbrella tents for outdoor activities, ArtZone was able to accommodate both sunny and rainy days, ensuring a smooth experience for participants.
Looking ahead, Knives hopes to expand ArtZone’s programming beyond summer, offering camps during school breaks such as Easter, Christmas, spring break and professional development days.
“There’s a group of kids who are too big for daycare but too young to be left alone. We want to be there for them and art is a perfect way to provide that support,” Knive said.
Reflecting on lessons learned from the first summer, Knive highlighted improvements in administrative structure and program delivery, which will help future camps run more efficiently. Overall, she said the summer camps were a resounding success, providing hundreds of children with an enriching, fun and memorable experience in the heart of Sun Peaks.
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