Children explore arts and sciences

childrensday032: Children explore arts and sciencesIt was free and the word most often uttered by the young children who attended was “fun.” On July 12, Community Connection for Child Care (CCCC) presented the 17th annual Children’s Day to Explore the Arts and Sciences at the newly dedicated, Kelly F. Blanton Student Education Center in east Bakersfield.

Kern County artists and scientists lead short sessions exploring a wide range of activities for preschool-through-6th grade children. The event took place from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Venues were long enough to maintain interest but short enough to make sure every child could take part in each activity.

Children had a wide variety from which to choose. While some were making pottery, masks, Origami and plaster cast animal tracks, others were painting murals and water colors, drawing cartoons and learning about edible science.

One of the big attention-getters was the live, reptiles displayed by the Al Robbins Herpetological Society.

“Oh you should have seen how thrilled the children were,” said Gladys Lozano, Community Connection for Child Care (CCCC) program supervisor. “There was excitement in the eyes and their faces lit up.”

Because of the sponsorships provided by ChevronTexaco and Mervyn’s of California the entire event was free. An estimated 400 children took part, including several who came on a special excursion bus from eastern Kern County.

“It’s always a terrific way for children to spend a summer Saturday,” said Lozano. “We begin planning for it in January. Why do we do it? Because for 17 years our belief has been that there are not enough art, science and educational activities for children during the summer. Parents bring their children. They see what fun the youth have with the activities, and that they can let them do the same activities at home at a very low or no cost.”
Print This Page   Email This Page