Children didn’t need passports, suitcases or even a plane to travel thousands of miles across the world this summer.Instead, they used their creativity and imaginations to learn about different cultures such as Japan, India and Greece, at Kaleidoscope art programmes from July 4 to September 2.Now the students’ favourite works are exhibited in the Bermuda Society of Arts in City Hall for the community to see until October 11.Ten-year-old Sydney Rego, who learned about Greece during her one-week camp, said she was a “little bit nervous” to see her work displayed in public. “I am not sure if people are going to like it, but I like my work,” she said.She recommended the ‘Explore the World’ camp to other young people and said: “It’s really fun and I would want people to have the experience too.”Madeleine Yashar, eight, said the camp was fun “because I really like art”.“I want to do it throughout my life,” she continued. “I feel really good about it. I just like the way of holding a paint brush or pencil.”Proud mom Marie Kromer enrolled her six-year-old daughter Bianca in the camp as she has always been inspired by her grandparents, who are both very creative.“We are so excited and she was so thrilled about her picture being displayed. We are so proud. I think it is a great idea that they do this and Kaleidoscope features a picture from each student and puts it in the exhibit.“It gives them confidence and might inspire them to continue with art. It can go beyond making something and bringing it home. It can develop into creating art work and selling their work. Children will always remember something like this. “Mrs Kromer believes the camp gave Bianca “that little extra confidence for the year” at school and exposed her to different cultures and artistic avenues.Kaleidoscope arts teacher Corrina Rego said the camp taught children how to create henna designs and decorate painted elephants from India, hand-painted kimonos from Japan, and carved plates from Greece.More importantly it taught children from five to 11 years old how to express themselves through art.“At Kaleidoscope the tagline is empowering children through art and basically that is building their self-esteem and confidence,” Mrs Rego said.“I think a lot of people get scared and think, ‘I am not an artist’, but I think everyone is creative. We are just trying to open up the mediums to as many people as possible.”Mrs Rego believes a lot of people look at art as a “fun class”, but said it also helps children develop their critical-thinking skills, creativity, imagination and helps them look at issues from a different perspective.The camp focused on one country each week on a rotational basis, Mrs Rego explained.A two-week camp focusing on sculpture and styrofoam, for children aged seven to 14, was also a success this summer, said teacher Nikki Murray-Mason.“You know what was amazing? The students were all extremely focused. I was wondering about some of the younger ones, but they really were focused and designed everything themselves.“I actually gave them quite a lot of responsibility. I think it gave them self-confidence. They learned there really is no wrong way to do art and I think that is important to instil in them when they are young.”Mrs Murray-Mason said the young people were proud to take home their work, but even more excited to have pieces of their work displayed to the public.For more information visit www.kaleidoscopeartsfoundation.com.