Gulf Shores United Methodist Church held their first Fine Arts Camp June 13-16. The camp was free for the south Baldwin community.

Children (ages 4-year- old to rising fifth graders) came from Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Elberta and Foley. Because of overwhelming pre-registration, GSUMC elected to extend the camp to two sessions daily with 35 adult volunteers, 20 youth volunteers, three staff members and eight different teachers.

More than 150 children attended daily.

Children attended classes and learned the arts with hands-on activities. Drums and world percussion instruments was led by David Hughes of the Celtic band, Mithril. Janis Ray, music and choir teacher for Elberta Middle School, led singing classes.

Drama classes were led by Valerie Johnson, director of GSUMC drama ministry’s fall production of “Annie.”

Cody Johnson, Camp Director and Director of Worship Arts at GSUMC, led hand chimes on Thursday. The camp also included Orff instruments, water colors and painting, balloon art and crafts.

The Fine Art Camp concluded with a free educational concert by Mithril, on Thursday night in GSUMC’s South Campus Auditorium.

For children who would like to continue participating in music and arts activities, GSUMC will be launching children’s musical groups in the fall that will meet once a week.

As dates and times are finalized for these groups, please visit the church website at www.gulfshoresumc.org or call the church office at 251-968-2411 for more information.