Fun activities fill time at children’s art camp

YOUNGSTOWN — Combining faith, art and music adds up to a positive atmosphere filled with fun activities for the 22 children participating in the Downtown Mission’s Children’s Art Camp.

The activity is sponsored by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Office of Black and Indian Missions and is being hosted by the Missions Office of the Diocese of Youngstown in partnership with Catholic Extension Society. The camp received a grant.

The camp began today and ends Thursday with an art show; all activities are in St. Columba Cathedral hall, 159 W. Rayen Ave.

Michelle Gearhart coordinates the camp, which began four years ago. Gearhart, a member of St. Columba, said she participated in the Katrina rebuild project. In the diocese, the Rev. Edward Brienz, director of the office of missions and evangelization, has coordinated many trips by Valley groups to the hurricane-ravaged area. On a trip to New Orleans six years ago, he asked Gearhart to assist a nun at an art camp.

“He told me to take notes because I would be doing it in Youngstown,” Gearhart recalled. That’s how the art camp evolved here.

Activities are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include lunch and snack. The free program is open to children of all denominations. Gearhart said there are readings from the Bible and references to God but are general in nature.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com