Summer Poetry Camp Sessions Planned at Walt Whitman Birthplace

Two children's summer poetry camp sessions are planned for the Walt Whitman Birthplace.

The week-long Children's Paumanok Summer Program sessions run July 11-15 and Aug. 1-5 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The cost is $100 per child for the session.

Inspired by Walt Whitman’s poetry, children ages 8 – 12 will walk in Walt Whitman’s footsteps as they experience a literary, creative, educational, historical and most of all fun adventure.

Anne Kingsbury, published poet and experienced art instructor, will guide the participants in daily activities that include two writing sessions daily: rhyme and free verse.

Students will design and create their own version of Whitman’s "Leaves of Grass," with the student's photo inside, just as Whitman put his photo inside his book. The book will include: Song of Myself - a self-portrait that contains personal likes, experiences, etc.; Song of Joys – entailing the good and special facets of living; Paumanok – writings about the beach, as Walt liked to do; Miracles – an ode to nature, written near Whitman’s courtyard statue, for inspiration; a photograph – “taken” with words, as Whitman liked to do while describing people, places, and animals.

Classic rhyme will be explored while students create a children’s rhyme book, complete with illustrations.

Students also will discuss an historical perspective poem (describing a child’s life in 1820) while touring the 19th century farmhouse where Walt was born.

The session will conclude with readings by the young poets on the cozy Interpretive Center stage. Adults are invited. So come, enjoy and applaud the children’s poetry!