Power of Play’s Camp Kreativ returns in August

Back for the fourth consecutive year, Camp Kreativ (CK), an initiative by Power of Play (PoP), is a summer holiday program that has gained an immense popular following. PoP is a company specialising in the use of performing arts for education, and the success of CK can be attributed to its unique offering which combines an intensive holiday program covering multiple creative disciplines, with a chance for participants to be exposed to a world of alternative careers that thrive outside the box of traditional employment. 

Taking place from 14 to 19 August, CK 2017 features workshops in drama, dance, robotics, mime, musical theatre, online safety, photography and more. Open for ages 4-6 years, 7-12 years and 13-19 years, the workshops have been formulated to ensure that they cater to the needs and interests of each of these unique age groups. 

“We are proud to say that we have a really amazing line up of artists and professionals who have come in as CK facilitators this year,” says Power of Play Founder and Artistic Director Sulochana Dissanayake. “Each set of workshops has been carefully thought out, and we are delighted to have so many great teachers on board with us, sharing in our vision of providing children with an immersive, enriching experience that makes a lifelong impact, all in a completely non competitive environment.” 

The camp will take place at Sooriya Music Village on Skelton Road. Commenting on the partnership between Sooriya and PoP, Sulochana said, “We were looking for somewhere centrally located, yet big and comfortable enough to manage a fair number of participants. Sooriya has ticked all those boxes for us and we are so excited to be working with them.”

For the 4 to 6 age group, counsellor Seema Omar and drama therapist Tehani Chitty return to CK this year to take kids through ‘Discovery through play’ a module that uses drama games, storytelling, art and movement to develop participants’ creativity and imagination. Imesha from the Chitrasena School of Dance will handle the dance workshops for this group, while Sulochana herself will step in for sessions on drama and puppetry. 

The 7 to 12 age group sees the return of two favourites from last years’ camp – Sri Lankan Australian musical comedy performer Larry T Hill who handles the musical theatre workshops; and Hasith from Igniterspace who returns with some new and fascinating robotics and coding activities. Brand new this year, a session entitled ‘Girls, Boy and our bodies’ by Subha Wijesiriwardena which focuses on gender and self awareness as well as building self esteem and self confidence. Sulochana and Imesha will run drama and dance sessions respectively for this age group. 

The workshop for the teenage group is another segment that Sulochana devoted a lot of time to structuring. “Teenagers are such a unique group and we wanted to design something that would be of immense value and interest to them. We have brought back our popular Photography module this year, and have also developed an amazing Journalism module with Sharon Mascrenhas and Anuradha Kodagoda. I am delighted to also welcome on board Hans Billimoria from The Grassrooted Trust who will be taking our teenagers though a series of workshops about online safety – something that is so vital today.” Renowned mime artist, Pradeep Ramawickrama will also conduct sessions exclusively for the older age group, and Sulochana will step in to focus on the creation of ‘Personal Stories’, a workshop that will focus on turning participants’ real life stories into performances. 

Camp Kreativ 2017 will take place 14 to 19 August at the Sooriya Music Village, 49, Skelton Road, Colombo 5. For fee details, information and registration protocol visit www.powerofplay.lk or call 0777274483. The early bird discount of 10% will apply till the end of July.