Kentucky Kids on the Block handmade puppets take the stage for show

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Children in Kentucky Kids on the Block’s summer camp performed several shows Friday with puppets they made themselves.

This year’s theme was Passport to Puppetry, and the kids learned about different countries and their styles of puppet theater, including shadow puppetry, marionettes and hand puppets. Kids on the Block performs for students during the school year, and the summer camp gives those students a chance to learn and enjoy the craft that delivers important messages.

“I didn’t want anyone to get hurt. I only wanted to cross the river. Sometimes problems can be solved without fighting. Maybe we were too busy arguing to think clearly.”

Amanda Guerra, director of programs for Kentucky Kids on the Block, says, “They were able to put their puppets on and really get out of their shell. And so our goal with our camp is to teach kids about puppetry. Maybe one day they’ll want to be a puppeteer for us, but also to help them to have a good time in the summer, get them out of the house, let them be creative and learn.”

Finn Childress, camp puppeteer, says, “Well, my favorite thing about the camp was like making the puppets. And like, these puppets too. I think they look pretty cool.”

Kentucky Kids on the Block performs for tens of thousands of kids every year with programs that teach them to accept differences in themselves and others.

The Rotary Club of Bowling Green was the title sponsor of this year’s camp, which was open to children ages 6 to 12.