(By A. Thompson)

This year Unified Outreach launched its first summer day camp series with a focus on Animating Cartoons using the Adobe Flash animation program.

After over 10 years of offering a variety of free after-school Arts programs in the Seattle area – Unified Outreach@Ginomai Art Center in West Seattle launched a unique Summer Day-Camp option for parents who were interested in seeing their child attain a stronger grasp of Arts & Technology in a fun and exciting environment.

An average afternoon of Summer Day-Camp included educational exercises embedded in fun games designed to encourage personal growth, positive self esteem and team building skills. Each day also included physical activities and outdoor time (as weather allowed) including lunch in the park. But the highlight of each day will be working on the creation of a personal cartoon-animation using the kids ideas, stories, drawings and voices; of which they were able to share with friends and family via a internet cartoon and DVD.

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Most students came in with no previous traditional or contemporary cartooning experience.  Each student was coached by multiple instructors who worked with the kids each step of the way; from story development, to character design, digital imaging, cartoon animation, and voice-overs using industry-level production software including Adobe Photoshop, Flash, Soundbooth, and other software programs that were donated by Adobe Systems, Inc and King County 4Culture.

Doors opened at 8:30am and closed at 5:30pm – Parents had the flexability to drop off and pick up their child at anytime during operational hours.

The 2012 camp operated a total of 3 weeks; with each week being a stand-alone unit.  In 2013 the camp plans to increase the number of weeks which it will operate.

Unified Outreach is a 501C3 Youth Arts Charity which has been Active in Seattle for over 10 years.  Visit www.UnifiedOutreach.com for more details.