Yesterday, I was lucky enough to spend the afternoon drawing goofy comics with the campers and staff at Camp Ooch. The camp is for kids dealing with childhood cancer but you’d hardly know that by hanging out with everyone. Like any camp, it’s full of beach towels, cabins, canoes and smiles…lots of kids laughing and having fun! (there was even a loon out on the lake joining in)
Of course drawing comics is all about having fun too so it was a great fit! I was setup in the Craft Cabin (which worked out well when a quick Summer storm blew by) I never went to camp as a kid so it was kinda fun just getting a tour from camp staffer Laura and seeing the great facilities they have.
The afternoon was split into two sections, each an hour and a half. We mainly just played some drawing games and did a four panel jam comic. The first group was having such a good time it was hard to get them to finish each comic so we could get on to the next step! There were a few really good artists in that group and it showed in the final products…good details and really funny. The second group showed up and they seemed way more mellow than the first. However, once we started drawing they got right into it. Unlike the first group, these guys were finished each section with time to spare (I started to worry we’d be finished everything too soon) Their jam comics were really funny and had everyone laughing as we went through them. All the drawings ended up in the dining hall for the rest of the camp to enjoy.
As someone who draws everyday, you wouldn’t think I’d forget how much fun it is making comics. Perhaps it’s the fact that, for most of the time, I’m by myself at the drawing table. Getting out and drawing as a group has a magic all of its own and I’m grateful for Lisa Robinson and everyone at Camp Ooch for such a fun afternoon!
Can’t wait to go back!
Nice combo with the summer camp series in Bleeker.
A good opportunity to pump the kids for Bleeker ideas, perhaps.
Would it be possible for you I post a few of those summer-camp create strips up here (assuming any of the kids let you keep them)? It would be cool to see what the kids (or you in a relaxed environment) came up with.
P.S.
I realize a few are visible in the pics, however. I was thinking of more like a gallery.
Sorry Nathan, I didn’t get to keep any of the finished comics. They all ended up in the main dinning hall for all the other kids to see. I should’ve taken some time and taken a few more pictures. Next time for sure!