Annual Youth Program Begins on June 9th in Silver City

Silver City, Nevada - Every summer Silver City offers the Comstock area a free STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) program for children and and their parents. The annual program began in 2003 and has been offered each summer since, with varying themes, but always involving key STEAM concepts.

The 2015 program will be on Tuesdays from 10am to noon in the shady park. Activities this year include events for younger children and for teens. Parents are asked to stay and join in the fun and assist with clean up.

Art Lessons for Teens and Adults: Beginners' art lessons for teens and adults will be taught by professional artist Karen Kreyeski on Tuesday June 9th and Tuesday June 16th from 10am until noon. Space is limited for these in-demand classes with Ms Kreyeski, who is an award-winning artist and educator. Please reserve your spot by emailing Quest at quest@theodata.com. The first class will be "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: Drawing Objects the Way You See Them." The second class will be "Painting with the Spirit of Nature: Free Form Techniques Using Water, Sand and Salt."

Fun Fair for Parents and Kids Ages 3 to 6: The always popular "Tune into Kids" arts and science fun fair hosted by United Way is back again this summer. The fair is for parents and their children ages 3 to 6, and takes place on Tuesday, June 23rd from 10am to noon.

Bike Safety Rodeo for Kids 5 to 12: On Tuesday, June 30th from 10am to noon, parents and their children ages 5-12 are invited to attend a bike safety "rodeo" with Western Safe Routes to Schools where kids will learn road rules and safety, participate in bike maneuvers and exercises, and receive new bike helmets. Parents are asked to sign Safe Routes permission slips for this activity.

Engineering: Some of Nevada's sharpest engineering minds will lead hands-on activities that encourage innovation and problem solving. Guest teachers from the Society of Women Engineers will lead lessons for ages 5-12 on Tuesday July 7th from 10am to noon.

Resident Artist: In addition, the youth program this year will include lessons with the Resident Artist in Silver City, Brian Schorn, a remarkable visual artist, poet and musician who has taught at Brown University, Michigan University, and Interlochen Arts Academy, a boarding school for grades 9-12.

Shakespeare: The summer program will conclude with a family-friendly field trip to see Shakespeare on the beach at Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe on August 4th.

Summer Reading Program: As usual, there will also be a local reading program with prizes through the Silver City Volunteer Library. The theme of the summer reading program is "Every STEAM Hero Has a Story," with an emphasis on people who have achieved in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

Support: The yearly youth summer program is made possible, in part, by Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey, plus guest teachers from regional groups, and local fundraisers, donations and volunteer work from many Silver City residents and groups. The community of Silver City, which is located in one of Nevada's National Historic Landmarks , launched the popular children's summer program in 2003.

For additional information, contact Quest Lakes at 847-0742.