"It's a lot of fun." "It's messy." "It tastes good and smells good." Words of commendation from some of the world's toughest critics – kids – suggest the "Explore the World" art camp is the place to be this month.

The corners of the world being explored in alternate weeks, courtesy of Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation, are France and Trinidad and Tobago.

Foundation director Fiona Rodriguez-Roberts explained that each week the children learn about the flora and fauna, listen to the music, explore the folklore and sample the cuisine of the country they're "visiting" in addition to examining its artistic traditions.

The morning The Royal Gazette visited, the younger children, aged five to seven years, were actually taking a break from their morning's task, painting stilts, and were chasing butterflies on the lawn of the Elliot Gallery on Jubilee Road.

The eight- to 14-year-olds under the guidance of teacher Alicia Wanklyn were creating carnival masks and stilts.

Nine-year-old Maxwell Kuzyk particularly enjoyed working on his papier mache mask, "because I like getting messy, and papier mache is very messy".

In the early stages of the design process, he had determined on a bird mask, because "my favourite animals are birds", but hadn't yet decided which type of bird it would be.

Shahana Black, aged eight, liked making stilts.

"You can choose different designs," she explained. "I chose rainbow colours because they're pretty colours."

Mrs. Rodriguez-Roberts explained that the children were involved in every step of the design process from selecting the materials to the assembling and finishing of the piece.

Though the wood for the stilts was pre-cut, the children were expected to sand, screw together and paint their own pair.

During the previous week's visit to France, the focus was on the Impressionists – Monet, Gauguin and DuChamp among them – and the children created their own flower pot gardens complete with bridge, and a knapsack for carrying supplies when painting en plein air.

At some point each day the children also create a dish typical of the local cuisine, because "cuisine is an art form", Mrs. Rodriguez-Roberts declared.

"They bring their own lunch," she admitted, "because they don't always like what they cook. But we find that they're far more willing to try something if they have cooked it themselves."

Trinidad and Tobago was proving a particular challenge because the cuisine involved a lot of coconut, not a favourite among some of the children.

Mrs. Rodriguez-Roberts was keen to point out that food allergies were always considered, with one group adapting the recipe as needed.

Occasionally, chefs from local restaurants are invited to cook with the children and offer special insights into the particular cuisine.

Eight-year-old Lucy Brown, visiting from the UK, stated the cooking was her favourite part of the camp, "because it gets a little bit messy, and you can work with each other".

And after a pause, she added: "And it tastes good and smells good."

The more traditional elements of fine art are an integral part of the camp.

There is a long and rich artistic tradition in France, though it has proved difficult acquiring resources in print for the art of Trinidad and Tobago.

Logan Franklin, aged 12, enjoys painting. "There are different textures, designs, patterns. There's never too much colour in a painting."

For eight-year-old William Gray, drawing is the best activity, and he has an interest in a wide range of subject matter.

"It depends where I am and what I'm thinking about," he explained.

And though in an obvious minority, he isn't bothered at all that there aren't more boys at the camp.

At the end of the summer there will be an exhibition of the children's art, with one piece from each child on display.

Work will be on display from September 3 to 15, with the official opening reception on September 11 from 4 to 6 p.m.

The end of summer does not mean the end of creativity, as workshops and classes are held throughout the year.

A class for toddlers is held in the morning, while after school classes for young people five to 16 and adults follow a curriculum presenting the foundations of art and art appreciation. Courses and workshops are also offered on a particular medium or genre.

Registration is now being taken for the fall term.

For further information visit www.kaleidoscopeartsfoundation.com; email info@kaf.bm.