Send a Kid to Camp initiative is sponsoring three children for Ballard summer camps

Local summer camps in Ballard and Greenwood are opening for this summer for children to express their creativity.

As part of the Send a Kid to Camp initiative, the Verity Credit Union has partnered up with Illumination Learning Studio (ILS) to send three kids to a Summer Adventure Camp. ILS will have a themed summer camp at the Ballard location at 5501 8th Ave NW and in their Greenwood studios at 7720 Greenwood Ave N #101 beginning June 21st. 

During the pandemic, Molli Piper reached out to community ally and partner Michael Wheeler at Verity Credit Union to discuss the opportunity to create the initiative of bringing local students together. Piper and Wheeler came upon the initiative of “Send a Kid to Camp” which consists of sponsoring three children to send to the Illumination Learning Studios.

“Verity’s vision centers on fostering cooperative communities who dream boldly,” Michael Wheeler, community branch manager said. “Partnering with Illumination Learning Studio for Send a Kid to Camp is just one way we’re bringing that vision to life. We look forward to helping more kids and community members achieve their dreams.” 

Piper and Wheeler have partnered before on community events such as Rainbow Hop and an annual warm outerwear drive supporting FamilyWorks.  

“Our themed weekly camps give kids the opportunity to connect with one another again, and help them express themselves through art, dance, and performance,” said Molli Piper, co-owner Program Director said in a press release.  

The first week of summer camp the theme will be “Return to Hogwarts” where the children will be placed into the Harry Potter Hogwart houses to learn about charms, spells, and other magical findings. The second week’s theme will be “Clay Creations” where the children will learn how to work and paint with ceramic clay, along with a visit to a ceramics studio. For week three the theme will be “All the World’s a Stage” where the children will embark on learning all about Shakespeare and his literary themes. 

Week four will be themed “One with the Force,” a Star Wars theme in which the children will explore different planets and get the chance to create their own lightsaber. Week five’s theme is “From Trash to Treasure” where the campers will learn to create artwork using everyday household items. To check out the themes for the final five weeks, click here.

“Remote learning has been difficult for many students during the last two school years,” Piper said. “We’re grateful to partner with Verity again to help our kids transition back into in-person learning and discovery.” 

Illumination Learning Studios are an independent family-owned business that was founded in April 2013. They provide different performing arts learning programs and after-school programs. Verity Credit Union provides its members with financial products and services. ILS is taking precautions for COVID-19 safety amongst their faculty and staff. 

For more information on both Ballard and Greenwood summer camp themes and dates and times please visit the ILS event website. To register for the camp please visit the website here, and to get more information on “Send a Kid to Camp” visit this website.

Photo from Illumination Learning Studios Facebook