Pictured: Youth in Irving, Texas, showcase their entrepreneurial skills during Camp Kidprenuers. Photo courtesy of Stacy Lambert.
We are working with a new, fast-paced generation filled with wide-eyed and passionate kids. It’s only natural that we want to expand and grow the skills and classes we provide for the children who are seeking an escape; whether through movement with their bodies or specific techniques and skills, we offer a wide range of opportunities that expand beyond the traditional sets of practices at the Mustang Park Recreation Center in City of Irving, Texas.
Our current youth or “generation z” are influenced by different skills through their screens, like “how to” makeup videos, dance tutorials from popular musicals and other entrepreneurship ideas. Below are a few new and innovative class ideas our current generation can partake in.
Special Effects Makeup
Special Effects Makeup Camp is a month-long class where kids learn the fundamentals of special effects makeup that professionals use to do glam, gore and illusion effects used for television shows and movies. In this class, I taught kids ages 8-18 how to do realistic zombie bites, wounds, creepy clowns and the infamous “Avatar” looks. With this class, I wanted to push the boundaries of the normal “how to” makeup videos you see on YouTube or TikTok and implement a challenge for the kids.
Rising Stars Theatre
The Rising Stars Theatre Program is a three-month class that teaches and empowers youth through learning and performing full musical dance routines, monologues, and plays to display at the end of the session in a showcase. With the techniques and skills that the kids are given, they build up their confidence, self-esteem, and communication skills that they can use and access for the rest of their lives.
Kidpreneurs
Camp Kidpreneur is a three-month program for kids ages 8-15 who want to build their own money-making empires. In this program, participants learned the art of three business skills — balloon art, face painting and car freshies — to build their skills and make their own money. On multiple occasions, the kids gave back to the community by learning unique skills such as seven face painting designs, six balloon art creations and a multitude of car freshies they made from scratch. All three of these unique skills were used for various recreation center events that allowed them to showcase their skills and build their customer service repertoire, as well as learn the responsibility of what it takes to make a dollar.
Young Stylist
Young Stylist is a month-long class for youth ages 8-18, where participants can explore fun, interactive hair styling to learn essential techniques, achieve amazing looks and express their creative side. Kids learned how to do simple braids, fishtail braids, wedding hairdos (styling, braids, curling), and how to do hair tinseling. This class teaches patience, hand-eye coordination and creativity. And, it gives the girls freedom to do their own hair or anyone else’s hair around them.
Kid Detectives
Kid Detectives is a two-month class where participants will explore exciting, interactive mystery-solving activities that you would see in famous television shows like “Forensic Files” or “CSI.” This class builds critical thinking skills and promotes attention to detail, as well as problem-solving and working together as a unit.
Theories and opinions about social media can be argumentative. There are many positive influences and, unfortunately, negative ones as well. Today’s youth are so involved with social media and what they see on their screens that many think can be useless information and skills. However, those skills can be transcribed into something more. Something that our youth can turn from just having a dance party with friends to creating a theatrical masterpiece.
And, in its entirety, the wide range of opportunities showcase the need for staff to continue expanding opportunities for these youth beyond just the basics. The youth these days show a need and willingness to seek what’s out there; and with classes such as “Special Effects Makeup” and “Rising Stars Theatre,” the possibilities are endless as we tap into their potential and creativity, as well as teach them life skills and building their confidence. All this is crucial for their growth and success as we stay engaged, helping their minds flourish.
Stacy Lambert (she/her) is a recreation specialist at the Mustang Park Recreation Center in City of Irving, Texas.