Horse Cave Arts & Sciences Camp
The Horse Cave Arts & Sciences Camp was held at the end of May. Campers learned about Horse Cave history, caves, story telling, art, rockets, and much more. Photo submitted.
Mary Beth Sallee
Reporter, Hart County News-Herald
At the end of May, the Horse Cave Arts & Sciences Camp brought a unique opportunity to children of Hart County.
The camp, which was hosted by the City of Horse Cave hosts and supported by various sponsors, allows kids to explore areas of interest through various classes in the arts and sciences. Students, ages 5-12, choose a class and participate in that class during the entire camp session.
Jennifer Bruton Sims and Joy Bennett are Co-Directors of the camp. Sims was also an instructor at the camp, as well as Thomas Freese, Jesse Ray Sims, and Devon Avery.
“The camp gives the kids an outlet to explore their interests, make new friends with kids from other schools, and experience activities that make lasting memories,” said Sims, who is also a camp instructor. “Kids…have a guest speaker or experience that is local.”
Several local business owners and community leaders step forward to speak to the children at the camp about a variety of topics.
“We had Emry Riley from A Walk Through Time that brought things related to the area. For example, a Sea Breeze soda bottle, postcards from Hidden River Cave and Twin City Drive-In,” Sims said. “The Hart County Sheriff’s Department came out and talked to the kids about safety and knowing their resource officers. Kentucky Down Under brought four animals for the kids to experience, such as a Serval kitten and baby foxes…Kids went to Hidden River Cave and played a game learning more about bats and then walked to the cave opening. Students also were able to experience indigo tie dye with their camp shirts where they saw the indigo change from green to blue when their shirt was exposed to oxygen.”
The camp was open to all students. However, due to schools closing at various times this year, some schools were unable to participate.
Normally this camp last for 2 weeks with each week having different classes.
“We had students this year from all of the elementary schools in Hart County and some students from Barren County,” Sims said. “Unfortunately, this year scheduling was difficult to do with various schools’ closing days and the summer camps that school districts are doing to help get students more instruction after this difficult year…We always want all kids to have the opportunity, but if we hadn’t had camp this week (of May) we probably wouldn’t have been able to have camp again this year, so we look forward to having all area schools participate next year.”
“We look forward to making next year’s camp bigger and better,” Sims added.
Lucy and Bess Baird and Zoey Dudley create their name which will be coated with paint for a scratch art project. Photo submitted.
Emry Riley, right, the owner of A Walk Through Time,speaks to campers about the history of Horse Cave. Photo submitted.
Greyson Rosser pets a snake brought by an employee of Kentucky Down Under. Photo submitted.
Camp Instructor Thomas Freeze teaches campers about storytelling. Photo submitted.
