Charles M. Schulz Museum Summer Classes

"Summer Classes of Imagination"

“On days when you have no ideas at all, the best thing you can do is start doodling.”  Charles M. Schulz

This summer, my four year old son was able to experience the “Let’s Pretend” class at the Charles M. Schulz Museum. In this modern era where childhood is filled with video games, iPads and everything electronic; a class that encourages imagination with paperclip fish, paper crafts, and ponds made of hula hoops is refreshing. With seven teachers/helpers to the fourteen children in attendance, my son had an intimate, hands-on experience.  

Classes are conducted in the museum’s Education Room which is decorated with creative quotes by Charles M. Schulz, creator of the comic strip, Peanuts. Our class opened with a question, “What do you like to pretend?” My son shouted “I pretend to shoot!”  The teacher (a mother of three boys), lovingly suggested he pretend to be an animal instead; and so the class went.  

From 9 to 12:30, the kids participated in foot painting, mask making, and culminated with a birthday party themed farewell celebration with handmade hats, wrapped gifts for friends or parents, and individually decorated cupcakes. The highlight of my son’s day was running through a labyrinth made of rock and plants outside the museum.  What summer camp has a labyrinth?  Too cool!

Thirty years ago, I spent part of my childhood at this very same Schulz property; roaming the ice rink, taking skating classes, and drinking hot chocolate at the Snoopy Ice Arena.  I even had the chance to see Mr. Schulz (an avid hockey player) cut a little ice during a hockey scrimmage.  So, it was with great fondness and nostalgia that I returned with my little one for a class in creativity.

Summer Classes are for children preschool age to Grade 8.  More specific information on these classes can be found at www.schulzmuseum.org.

Disclosure…The Charles M. Schulz Museum invited my son to attend a class but did not ask me or direct me on what to write.  My opinion’s and sheer pleasure with this program are my own.