Hideaway Opens Doors for Art & Music Programs
August 7, 2024
We are excited to share that our new building, “The Hideaway,” has been opened and used for summer camps while creating space for exciting new programs. We are incredibly thankful to Kim Jungkind for implementing her “Art in Nature” program at the Ranch this summer. Kim, a professional artist, brings with her a gift for painting, a love for children, and an expertise in the natural world from her training as a Master Naturalist. Kim’s “Art in Nature” program teaches a specific painting skill called “impasto,” which uses a layered, dimensional, touchable surface. Her curriculum extends beyond painting techniques to incorporate lessons on Central Texas Native Trees, Monarch Butterfly life cycles, habitat conservation, and the role native trees play in protecting native animal and insect species.
As a Highland Lakes Master Naturalist who visited Candlelight Ranch during her Master Naturalist training program, she saw the potential to bring her experience, knowledge, and artistic ability to the Ranch. Kim reflects on her mission in teaching and the benefits of the Art in Nature program; “I am excited to bring my art experience to Candlelight Ranch. Art can be a joyful way for all visitors to the Ranch to enrich their experience, reduce stress, and improve focus. Art is fun, and it encourages creative thinking!” Kim’s program has been offered during summer Family Days and Military Family campouts and for camp groups during the week; it has been a massive hit amongst our campers and even parents and caregivers! In addition to the curriculum Kim has established at the Ranch, she will provide some of her beautiful paintings to decorate the walls of our newest building, “The Hideaway.” These works will additionally be used as teaching aids for those who visit the Ranch. Thank you to the Round Rock Woman’s Club for their generous funding to make this experience possible for our children and families and to Kim for sharing her talents and passion for nature with our participants!
In addition to our Art in Nature program, we were also grateful to have Suzy Turner of Soul Shine Rhythm Experience return this summer, leading her therapeutic drumming circles for our children and families! Drumming is an adaptive art form that allows campers of all backgrounds and abilities to unite and share within a creative, therapeutic space. These powerful experiences allow children to release intense emotions through music with the empowering support of their peers and family members. Suzy is significantly gifted in creating a safe space for our participants to express themselves, talk about their life experiences, and find healing through music. Regular participation in community music interventions, like drumming circles, has been shown through academic studies to decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety and provide opportunities to build resiliency and social connection; it has been an honor to be able to provide this resource to our children and families. A very special thank you to the Bowen Family Foundation for the generous funding that made this program possible for those who visit the Ranch! If interested in participating in a community drumming circle, Suzy regularly leads drumming circles at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Cedar Park. No experience is necessary, and all are welcome. To find out about the next upcoming community drumming circle in Cedar Park, follow Soul Shine Rhythm Experience on Facebook.
We are incredibly grateful to Kim Jungkind and Suzy Turner for sharing their creative talents and making such an investment in the children and families we serve. We look forward to continuing to utilize our newest programming space, “The Hideaway,” to enhance the experiences of those who visit the Ranch. Thank you to all who invested their time, expertise, and finances in making this new building and the programming that takes place in it a reality!
