One thing I really love about running our camp is seeing the photos at the end of the day. I personally don’t get to play outside at camp with all the kids every day like Eric does (but for a few days here and there when I can get away from my “day job”), so when I get home, after the evening routine and before planning the next day’s activities for camp, I review the pictures. Last night I loved seeing all the photos of campers learning to crochet.

Miss Kay from Kay Grott Collection (www.kaygrottcollection.com) has been coming to camp this summer to teach her fiber art of choice to the campers. Kay makes it fun by telling the kids about the history of crochet before they get started – did you know that sailors in days of old used crochet-like skills to make nets, ropes and decorative items while on their long sea voyages? And you thought it was a girls-only craft didn’t you? But not so! Crochet helps children develop fine motor skills, enhances perserverance and creativity, and fosters confidence and a sense of accomplishment when they have completed a project. Kay is a skilled artisan and purveyor of her couture crochet designs as well as a lovely person and friend. Kay not only creates and sells her designs, she also offers crochet lessons!

From the pictures and from Kay’s reports it looks like the children who have chosen to learn crochet this week are doing a wonderful job. They made some beautiful headbands using organic cotton yarn in Camp Idyllwild’s signature colors. I hope they continue to practice their new-found skills at home!