OOMPAH Summer Arts Program a Blast
Summer vacation was made more exciting and enjoyable for about 320 students who participated in the Huntington School District's OOMPAH summer arts enrichment program.
The program was coordinated by Huntington music teacher Nicole Lynch. Classes covered a variety of visual and performing arts areas. They were led by an assortment of certified art and music teachers. Assisting the corps of teachers were about two dozen high school and college students.
Parents were impressed at how much was learned in such a short time. The 2010 program included some new classes, including creative crafts, a vocal master class, "Rockapella" and a puppetry video workshop, "which were all a hit," Mrs. Lynch said.
The program returned to Huntington High School after spending 2009 at J. Taylor Finley Middle School while the high school parking lot was repaved.
"We somehow survived the incredible heat wave by taking lots of water breaks," Mrs. Lynch joked. "Our art and music programs were a great success. We had many wonderful projects to display on the last day, as well as some great performances!"
The OOMPAH summer program has become wildly popular for a number of reasons. For example, many incoming fourth graders get a head start on their new band or orchestra instruments and students get a chance to work with the teachers who will be teaching them in middle school and high school. Classes also provide a way to explore interests and talents in a variety of areas.
The program remains one of the more affordable summer camps anywhere. A registration fee of $45 is assessed and each class is priced at $95, which includes all supplies and an OOMPAH (Organization of Music Parents of Huntington) t-shirt. Students entering grades 4-9 may take anywhere from one to four different classes. There is a family discount of $50 for each additional child registering for four classes.
Registration for the 2011 summer program is expected to begin in February. Announcements about course offerings, schedules and registration information will be posted on the district website at www.hufsd.edu. Click on the link for "The Arts" and then on "Summer Programs."