Think BIG: Oak Cliff Cultural Center's Camp Celebration

Oak Cliff Cultural Center's Camp Celebration

Hi, I`m Callie Williams and I accept the favor of interning in the marketing department here at Big Thought. I grew up here in Dallas and am currently a junior at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in marketing. My years here at Big Thought have been filled sitting in on meetings, drafting press releases, and making name badges, just to make a few things.

I am learning so often roughly the working world!

To rush off Fourth of July weekend, last Friday, I got to get a respite from making copies to see a particular performance done by students who had been in Big Thought summer camp all of June.On July 1, the Oak Cliff Cultural Center hosted an end-of-camp performance and celebration event for the families of the center school students who had been active in a four-week Thriving Minds summer camp program. From the yarn "God`s Eyes" in the front window, to the paper cutouts that served as the background for their stage, the heart was covered with artwork the students had made during the camp.

The students put together a theater performance based on biographical stories they had written. They had musical instruments, costumes and masks they had crafted to go on with each scene. They also highlighted the account and refinement of Oak Cliff by playing out famous individuals who grew up in area.

During the creative writing part of the program, the students learned about different types of poetry, and a few shared what they had written. I had been out before in the week as they were preparing for their last performance, and they all had so much enthusiasm about displaying all they had learned for their families.

The case closed with, what the kids said was their favorite activity of the whole program-guitar playing. Prior to the program, the bulk of the students had never picked up a guitar, and I was astounded by how often they had learned! They burst into three different group based on age and ability. The most advanced group played Guns `N Roses` Sweet Child of Mine and one of the talented students sang along.

Afterwards they had a reception filled with hugs and kudos from proud family members. It was easily to see from all the smiles that the kids and parents were so proud of all the students had conditioned in such a little time!