Summertime – Learning As A Lifestyle

Summertime is one of my favorite songs. It comes from the folk opera, Porgy and Bess, written by George Gershwin in 1935. Obviously I was not around then but I did hear it on the radio growing up. The song is recognized as one of the most covered songs in the history of recorded music, with more than 33,000 covers by groups and solo performers. (http://www.summertime-connection.nl/) It has been recorded by Billie Holiday, Louie Armstrong, Janis Joplin and many more.

The song always reminds me of the South, bright sunny days, and hot, hot weather. I have been told that I hum this song a lot during the spring and summer months. I don’t know if that is true or not because I don’t remember humming it. I do know I sing it loud and proud (and very off key) in my car often when I am alone. Well, I sing the first verse often because I don’t know the rest of it.

The first verse goes like this:

Summertime and the livin’ is easy

Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high

Your daddy’s rich and your mama’s good lookin’

So hush little bab,y don’t you cry

This song is slow and easy, just the way summer should be. It is not that way at the Center for Lifelong Learning. Summer is one of our busiest times. We offer summer camps for kids and the building is hopping all summer.

This summer we will offer several different types of camps. For the budding actor, we have Adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood. Using the classic literature of A.A. Milne, this camp will introduce students to creating character through body movement, posture, facial expression, voice tone, and gestures with special focus on “telling the story.” Camp is scheduled June 24-28 or July 22-26, from 9:00 am-12:00 pm, with the performance on Friday at 4:00 pm. The fee is $65.

There are two art camps. Painting Fun — ages 8-12 is taught by Sanda Bishop. In this camp, students will learn to use acrylic paints to paint several different paintings. All supplies are included in the fee. Paintings focusing on Under the Sea theme are Monday through Friday, June 10-14, 9:00 am to 12:00pm. The fee is $69. Paintings focusing on the Christmas in July theme are Monday through Friday, July 8-11, 9:00 am—12:00 pm. The fee is $69.

Art Explorers, ages 8-12, will be taught by Valerie Alexander. This camp is more than drawing and painting. Campers will create 2-D and 3-D art using a variety of media. At the end of the week, an exhibit of student artwork will be displayed for parents and friends to view. Camp is scheduled Monday through Friday, July 15-19, 9:00 am—12:00 pm. All supplies are included. The fee is $65.

We will be offering a Super Sitter Course for would be babysitters aged 11-15, Outdoor Survival Skills for ages 8-12, Knitting, Crocheting, and Sewing Camps as well. For more information about our summer camps visit our website – athens.edu/CLL, or call 256-233-8260 to have a catalog mailed to you.
By: Wanda Campbell