Arts and Crafts Table Coordinator
Thank
you, Friend, for being willing to attend to this important retreat activity. The
following list will help you to understand what’s involved. (Promise not to
share this with other staffers, as they may become jealous and request a
transfer!)
1.
Locate an appropriate location
for the usual “retreat table.” A place out of the way of the mainstream of
things, but not so far away that visitors feel isolated, works best. Ideally,
the table should be able to stay up and be under some type of shelter Please be
sure to cover the table with our trusty old oil cloth before unloading things!
2.
Unload some, but not all of the
contents (your choice) of the arts and crafts bins. Items we usually set out
include regular, letter and seed beads; water color paints, gimp, child-safety
scissors, origami paper, markers, paper, glue, craft wire, colored pencils,
weaving loops, craft items, etc. Please be sure that NO permanent markers have
found their way into the art supplies!
3.
To conserve materials, we ask
children making “weaving loop ropes” not to exceed their own waist length.
Children using gimp are asked not to make endless strands, or to take large
amounts of raw material away from the table. Also discourage children from
smearing large amounts of white glue on their hands for “peeling.”
4.
Children who ask to use the
glue gun need to be supervised!
5.
Your involvement: How much you
interact at the table with children is up to you. This assignment can be a
special opportunity to connect with children during their “free-time” as
they make specific items or just rummage around the table for short periods of
time. You can be “right there” or keep checking frequently to see how things
are going. Some staffers have rounded up clusters of children for special
projects, sometimes taking things outside if it feels right. During cold or
rainy days Craft Table use is higher than other days.
6.
Place bins for storage under
the crafts table. We ask children not to paw through bins looking for things,
but to ask, instead.
7.
We usually pack up the bulk of
the Crafts Table on Saturday evening, depending on the retreat location, weather
and time of year. (We frequently make a few “quiet” items like gimp and
loops available on Sunday morning.
8.
Please repack bins, returning
items to their zip lock bags whenever possible. Please give Kevin a list (or
email him later) of things that need replenishing or suggestions for new items.
9.
We generally try to keep other
play items such as balls, tabletop games, etc, away from the Crafts Table area.
10.
Enjoy, thank you!
"All
children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows
up."
-- Pablo Picasso