Unleashing Creativity and Critical Thinking Through Art: Summer Camp at Balgran Charitable Home

Children celebrating at the JK Arts Foundation Summer Camp 2026 at Balgran Home for the Destitute, Jammu, proudly displaying certificates and colorful crafts.

As part of a vibrant summer camp organized by Global Shapers Jammu Hub, a creative art session was conducted at Balgran Charitable Home for Children, engaging 86 students from UKG to Class 9. Led by Jammu Hub Curator Hasit Sachdeva along with artists Saakshi and Shikha, the session aimed to provide children with an opportunity to learn, create, and express themselves through hands-on artistic experiences. Beyond creating artwork, the activities were intentionally designed to nurture creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and confidence among the participants.

The session began with warm and engaging interactions between the facilitators and students, creating an atmosphere of trust, excitement, and participation. Following a brief introduction by the curator and artists, the children were introduced to the day's creative activities.

The first activity focused on unleashing creativity and imagination through clay modelling. Students were guided to create flowers using clay while being encouraged to explore their own ideas, designs, and artistic styles. Demonstrations were provided to each group, but children were given the freedom to experiment and personalize their creations. Working in pairs and small groups, they learned how a simple lump of clay could be transformed into something beautiful through imagination and effort. As the activity progressed, the room filled with colorful flowers, creative interpretations, and proud smiles as students showcased their unique designs.

The second activity focused on developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills through paper flower making. Using colorful papers and straws as raw materials, students were challenged to think about how ordinary objects could be transformed into artistic creations. After observing a demonstration by the artists, children began folding, shaping, assembling, and experimenting with different approaches to create flowers. The activity encouraged them to explore multiple solutions, make design decisions, and use available resources creatively. Through this process, students learned that innovation often begins by seeing possibilities in simple materials.

Throughout the session, facilitators observed high levels of enthusiasm, collaboration, and engagement. Children shared ideas, helped one another, and celebrated each other's creations. The activities not only strengthened artistic abilities but also fostered communication, teamwork, patience, and self-confidence.

To recognize their participation and effort, certificates were distributed to all students. The artists were also presented with certificates of appreciation for their contribution. The session concluded with a group photograph, capturing a day filled with creativity, learning, and joyful memories.

This summer camp demonstrated how thoughtfully designed arts-based activities can nurture both creative expression and critical thinking, empowering children to imagine, innovate, and believe in their own potential.