Camp Kudzu: Libraries Rock!

Welcome back campers! It’s year three at Camp Kudzu and we’re promoting the Collaborative Summer Library Program theme Libraries Rock! MLC staffers Lacy, Ally, Mac, Lorietha, Margaret, Elisabeth, Katie, and our favorite volunteer Melvin celebrated our Mississippi musical heritage this year. We hope that your local Summer Library Program is just as much fun.

We had so many fun activities as the pics prove. Our band practiced diligently, and we even had an outdoor concert. Lacy provided some great guitar solos and Lorietha was outstanding as lead vocalist. Margaret and Melvin performed a special duet that everyone raved about.

We had such fun wearing our camp shirts and having fun with music. We never seemed to stop. Everyone was excited and couldn’t wait for the next camp activity. We had karaoke and it’s true – Mac can’t carry a tune in a bucket. A favorite this year was “Strike an Elvis Pose.” We can’t decide who had the better sneer, Katie or Elisabeth?

 Traditional camp activities were crafts (we made our own instruments) and a campfire sing-along.

 Ally taught us a new song but we all ended up doing different animal poses somehow! Oops!

Our merry band is already talking about going back to Camp Kudzu next year!

Mac Buntin
Senior Library Consultant

Camp Kudzu: Buildings of a Better World

Camp Kudzu is back this summer, contemplating this year's Summer Library Program theme, Build a Better World. Mississippi boasts a slew of fine architectural sites, so MLC staff "visited" some of the more fascinating buildings in Jackson on a whirlwind tour.

Oohs and aahs at the Greyhound Bus Station

The Greyhound Bus Station in Jackson was designed by William Strudwick Arrasmith in the Art Moderne style and built around 1938. (1) In 1961, the station was the site of arrests of Freedom Riders, who had ridden buses to Jackson to bring attention to the fact that Supreme Court ruling in Boynton v. Virginia was being ignored and that segregation on interstate transportation was still occurring. (2) The bus station is a site on the Mississippi Freedom Trail. You can read more about the Freedom Riders here and here.

Look up in the sky! What's that above Miss Eudora's house?

We've written about the Eudora Welty House and Garden before. This Tudor Revival style home was designed by Wyatt C. Hedrick and completed in 1925. (3) It is a National Historic Landmark and sits across the street from historic Belhaven University. Pulitzer prize winning author Eudora Welty lived here from the age of 16 until her death at age 92. The home and garden are open to the public; check here for information about planning a visit.

Caution: The Mississippi State Capitol may
cause you to inadvertently give someone bunny ears.

This building, commonly referred to as the "New" Mississippi State Capitol, was designed by Theodore Link and completed in 1903. (4) (The "Old" State Capitol served in that capacity from 1833 to 1903. See? Much older!) It is in the Beaux-Arts style and was designated as a National Historic Landmark just last year.

If we've ignited a desire to learn more about buildings and Mississippi architecture, head to your local public library for books like The Architecture of William Nichols: Building the Antebellum South in North Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi and Lost Mansions of Mississippi. Want to inspire your youngster with amazing buildings? Try Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building and Round Buildings, Square Buildings, and Buildings that Wiggle Like a Fish.

Registration for the summer library program is in full swing in public libraries across Mississippi, so be sure to head to your local library to sign up. Until our next Camp Kudzu installment, happy reading!

(1) https://misspreservation.com/2012/04/17/greyhound-bus-terminal-clarksdale/ 
(2) http://www.core-online.org/History/freedom%20rides.htm 
(3) https://eudorawelty.org/the-house/ 
(4) https://mississippitoday.org/2017/05/04/capitol-honored-as-national-historic-landmark/

Camp Kudzu Returns

Welcome back to Camp Kudzu! Last year, we introduced you to our mock summer reading camp and we have even more zany, campy fun in store for you this summer. Summer reading programs are popping up in public libraries across Mississippi, all with the Collaborative Summer Library Program's 2017 slogan, Build a Better World. There are countless ways we can build a better world... What better place to start than at your local library?

Charles and Mac aren't scared by the spooky stories they're reading!

Here at MLC, we couldn't wait to try our hand at building... our very own indoor fort! Pillow forts are easy and fun to create. Each one is completely unique and there are so many different ways to feed your imagination. If you need a little inspiration, we found these great indoor fort ideas just for you.

Great books, great company

There's nothing like reading a great book around the campfire. We chose one of Mississippi Center for the Book's book club in a box kits and read Lewis Nordan's harrowing Wolf Whistle. A full list of kits available for public libraries to check out can be found here.

Be sure to follow the rest of our escapades at the beautiful Camp Kudzu this summer, as we bring you more ways to build a better world. Don't forget to sign up for the Summer Reading program at your local library. We'd love to hear your experiences, so feel free to share how much fun you're having this summer, Until next time, happy reading!

Camp Kudzu: Part Two

Earlier this week, we told you about our escapades at Camp Kudzu and promised you a sequel. Without further ado, we give you the further adventures of the Camp Kudzu campers. Drum roll, please...

We ran across this book holding contest online and thought it was too much fun to pass up. Basically, the rules are to "hold" as many books as possible with the covers showing. As you can see, we had varied results.

Campers spent time learning about one of our favorite pieces of tech, our 3D printer, and created bracelets emblazoned with Camp Kudzu. Remember, Mississippi public libraries can check out one of our 3D printers for programs and other activities. Contact Joy Garretson for more information.

Last, but definitely not least, our campers participated in a grueling relay race. The course was rough, but they soldiered on until they reached the finish line.

With thoughts of summer reading in their heads and fond memories of Camp Kudzu in their hearts, our campers headed home. We're sure they're already looking forward to next year's camping fun.

Until next time, happy reading!

Camp Kudzu: Part One

Welcome to Camp Kudzu! Nestled amid soaring stands of pine trees in the heart of Jackson, Mississippi, you'll find this haven for summer readers. While the wildlife prowls about outside--we've spotted deer, foxes, bats, birds, snakes, and nearly a million squirrels--we've been beating the early summer heat with our mock summer library program, which we've dubbed Camp Kudzu.

The Collaborative Summer Library Program's slogan this year is "On Your Mark, Get Set... Read!" with a theme centered around wellness, fitness, and sports. With Camp Director Mac and campers Charles, Tracy, Elisabeth, and Jennifer, we took aim...

and hit the bull's eye! By the way, the roaring cardboard campfire is available for loan to Mississippi public libraries. Contact Ally Mellon to set it up.

 

We found that we've outgrown pillowcases for sack races (even the king size!) but sleeping bags made a great substitute.

After our exertions, we settled down for spooky stories around the campfire, read by none other than our Camp Director Mac.

There's nothing like the taste of roasted marshmallows to round out the perfection of a good book.

After a full day of Camp Kudzu fun, we snuggled into our sleeping bags for a good night's sleep, ready to see what bookish fun awaited us during our next day of camp. Well, most of us went to sleep. There's always that one camper who stays up past bedtime...

Catch us later this week with Part Two of our Camp Kudzu adventures. Many library systems across Mississippi offer summer library programs; don't forget to register!

Until next time, happy reading!