Families seeking childcare during February break found a creative outlet for their children at the Art Explorers camp hosted by the Swampscott Recreation Department.

The program, for elementary-aged children, ran throughout the week from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Clarke Elementary School. Led by Christina O’Connor-Rice, the program coordinator for the Swampscott Recreation Department, the camp encouraged students to explore a variety of artistic mediums, including air-dried clay, paper and felt.

The program is designed to provide children with a space for creative expression and connection-building over the course of the February break, offering both collaborative and independent projects in a relaxed, low-pace environment. Participants also took break from art activities to exercise in the nearby gymnasium.

About 10 children, ranging from kindergarten through third grade, participated in the week’s session. They created an array of projects, such as “Pop-Tarts,” personalized banners made out of felt and paper, and popsicle sculptures from air-dried clay.

The students hummed along to Disney tunes playing faintly from O’Connor-Rice’s iPhone, popping from station to station to help one another with their work. When asked about their projects, the students proudly displayed their yards-long paper chain they created together.

Children were encouraged to bring most of their projects home, with the exception of a commemorative banner signed by each participant to mark the week. The banner will be displayed in the arts and crafts room at Clarke Elementary School.

“The goal is really to get the kids meeting friends, making connections, doing projects, and having fun.” O’Connor-Rice said.