CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Some summer camps focus on the arts. Some concentrate on science. You get both at Creative Capers, the weeklong day camp at Charleston's Unitarian Universalist Congregation.

"I think the niche is it's comprehensive arts and science to supplement the curriculum of public schools, which has suffered in recent years," said Amy Weintraub, the camp's assistant director.

"The idea has been for the last 14 years the camp has tried to give children exposure to these fields they may not be getting during the school year. That exposure will come from practicing scientists and working artists.

"Because our camp is not focused solely on the arts, but has science and movement, it is more holistic in exposing children to more options."

Campers (rising first- to seventh-graders) attend five half-hour classes, or workshops, each day. Everyone gets art and science, and they pick the other three workshops from a list of 15.

 You can play a recorder, write poetry, learn Tai Chi, publish the daily camp newspaper or take apart everyday items in the Gadgets workshop.

"If they choose art, they may get two art classes," Weintraub said.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Some summer camps focus on the arts. Some concentrate on science. You get both at Creative Capers, the weeklong day camp at Charleston's Unitarian Universalist Congregation.

"I think the niche is it's comprehensive arts and science to supplement the curriculum of public schools, which has suffered in recent years," said Amy Weintraub, the camp's assistant director.

"The idea has been for the last 14 years the camp has tried to give children exposure to these fields they may not be getting during the school year. That exposure will come from practicing scientists and working artists.

"Because our camp is not focused solely on the arts, but has science and movement, it is more holistic in exposing children to more options."

Campers (rising first- to seventh-graders) attend five half-hour classes, or workshops, each day. Everyone gets art and science, and they pick the other three workshops from a list of 15.

 You can play a recorder, write poetry, learn Tai Chi, publish the daily camp newspaper or take apart everyday items in the Gadgets workshop.

"If they choose art, they may get two art classes," Weintraub said.

Because it's a day camp (8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.) and parents need be close by, campers typically come from downtown Charleston. But some families in outlying counties have arranged to let their children stay with friends or relatives in town to attend camp, she said.

Counselors remember one camper, "Shawn," who was a bit of a handful when he first arrived a few years ago, Weintraub said. "Staff members weren't sure if they could keep him."

He ended up staying, and after a week working with professional artists his interest in art turned into a passion. "Shawn" recently had his first one-man show and will graduate from college next month with a degree in art.

Camp Capers is seeking funding for 22 full scholarships, enough to provide a free ride for half of the campers this year from June 4-8.

For information on the camp, go to uucharlestonwv.org.

To help a child attend Camp Capers or another camp, mail your donation to the Gazette Charities Send-A-Child-To-Camp Fund, 1001 Virginia St. E., Charleston, WV 25301. Every penny donated goes to camp scholarships; The Charleston Gazette covers all administrative costs.  

Reach Jim Balow at ba...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5102.