By Shawnta Barnes
This summer, Blazing Brilliance, in a unique partnership with Growing Places Indy, offered a one-of-a-kind camp experience at the GPI farm. The week-long camp, open to students from third grade through high school, took place in June and provided a multi-age environment where campers could focus on building brilliant brains and balanced bodies.
Each day, there was a word of focus and a guest speaker or teacher. Campers learned how to manage their emotions productively and how to take care of their bodies, starting with the food they consumed.
Some of the activities campers participated in included learning:
- How hydroponics works
- How to do four box breathing to reduce stress and anxiety
- How to make southern style cornbread, freedom fizz, watermelon feta salad, cheesecake stuffed strawberries, a custom tea blend, massaged kale salad, and baked chicken strips
- How to use poetry to talk about life
- How doulas support pregnant people and their families
- How the military is a viable option after high school
- How to harvest kale, cherries, currants, and peppers
- How important daily water consumption is and how to flavor water using mint, citrus, or lemon balm
- How important physical activity is to our mental health
- How people celebrate Juneteenth & the history behind the holiday
One camper, K, shared her positive experience, saying, “I really enjoyed planting the square foot garden.”
Camper J shared, “The thing that I really loved was when we planted things.” Camper J also shared how much he enjoyed the cooking lessons.
This feedback is a testament to the value of the camp for the participants.
Each activity involved campers working together with other children younger or older than them to achieve a common goal. By the end of the week, campers left with new friends, new knowledge, and new skills.
For organizations wishing to partner with Blazing Brilliance, please email assist@blazingbrilliance.com, complete the contact form at blazingbrilliance.com, or call 317-721-2181.
