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July
29, 1998
Mel
Fisher Maritime Heritage Society
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mel
Fisher Maritime Heritage Society’s Kids’ Programs
Combine
Fun and Learning
Fifty
Keys kids are developing their talents in everything
from puppet-making to painting to creative storytelling
this summer at the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage
Society’s Buccaneer Camp. The camp curriculum,
developed under the auspices of the Society’s
Education Department and its curator, Jane Rohrschneider,
focuses on fun-filled summer activities for boys and
girls aged 6 through 12—and it’s drawing an
enthusiastic response from island kids.
“I
like it ’cause it rocks!” states nine-year-old Alex
Galvan. “The art class is awesome,” adds
eight-year-old Alyssa Perez.
This
summer’s Bucc Camp includes a variety of classes for
different age groups, and the wide scope of the programs
offers something to appeal to almost every young mind.
Class sessions began June 29 and will end next week with
two nights of special presentations showcasing
campers’ talents. These presentations are free and
open to the public.
The
August 14th event will include a Spanish-language puppet
show at 8:30 p.m. in the theatre of the Mel Fisher
Maritime Museum (200 Greene Street). Relating the story
of Christopher Columbus, the show will feature puppets,
props, and a set designed and created by Buccaneer Camp
participants. An English interpreter puppet will
translate the action for viewers who don’t speak
Spanish. A Buccaneers’ art show will take place on the
second floor of the museum at the same time, showcasing
campers’ paintings, drawings, sculpture, and prints.
The
following evening will feature an encore of the art show
and a storytelling presentation beginning at 8 p.m. in
the museum theatre. Buccaneer storytellers will relate
tales they have developed in their storytelling class
under the instruction of Jack Hackett, a former winner
of the Hemingway Days Storytelling Competition. Hackett
will also entertain the audience with a story developed
by his students.
One
of the reasons for the success of this summer’s
Buccaneer Camp is the support from the Key West
community. Twenty campers were able to attend the camp
sessions thanks to scholarships provided by local
individuals and businesses. Scholarship donors are
Michael Proimos of Marriott’s Key West Resorts,
Michael Morawski of the Ernest Hemingway Home &
Museum, Bill Barry of The Key West Citizen, David Paul Horan of Horan & Horan, Matthew
Babich of Old Town Resorts, Elliot Baron of
Mangia-Mangia Pasta Café, Al Perkins of Keys Title and
Abstract, Linda O’Brien of The Market Share Company,
and Winston Burrell of Island
News.
Following
the conclusion of Buccaneer Camp, Rohrschneider and the
Maritime Heritage Society staff will begin preparations
for another year of Buccaneers’ Club, a popular
after-school activity club which this year will feature
Saturday sessions as well. Designed to appeal to kids
aged 6 through 12, Buccaneers’ Club will offer fun and
informative programs focusing on art, science, and the
Keys’ maritime heritage. Early registration begins
September 21, with classes starting October 12.
Rohrschneider
is extremely pleased with the enthusiastic response from
Buccaneer Camp attendees and their parents. “Under the
leadership of our skilled instructors, the children have
had a great deal of fun and have been involved in a
variety of meaningful learning adventures this
summer,” she notes. “I’m looking forward to an
equally exciting fall session.”
For
more information about the Buccaneer Camp presentations
or about registration for Buccaneers’ Club, please
call the Society at 294-2633, ext. 20.
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