Professor Watermelon

Who is the top-hatted mouse in front of the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home? Let your child find out at one of our Creative Writing Summer Camps! The museum comes to life in extraordinary ways as Professor Watermelon inspires campers to use their imaginations to create fantastical stories inside this Victorian time capsule.

Only one spot left in our July 27th weeklong camp. But several spots are left in June 22nd weeklong camp. Follow the link to enroll you child.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jwr-museum-home-creative-writing-summer-camp-tickets-1978432243097?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Great opportunity for free creative writing and drawing classes with me and Mister Smart. Sign up your kid with Indy Parks!

Oh, did I tell you that it’s at the sight of the old Indianapolis Zoo, which is now Washington Park. We’ll definitely be using that history for some creative writing and drawing challenges! 🦒🐒🐘 🦚 🦁 🐅 🐻 😊

Mysterious blue ducks are what legends are made of 💙 🦆

Today, Creative Writers are creating their own mythical creatures and putting them into legends.

What is the creature called?
Is it good/bad/both?
Does it help or hurt people?
What supernatural or magical powers does it have?

We are having so much fun! Feel free to give us your ideas for this mysterious blue duck!

A dragon, holding a green emerald, showed up inside a bookcase in the library of the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home. Has it anything to do with the exquisite copy of Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie? What’s happening here?

This is just one of the STORYSTARTERS creative writing campers have used to tell their tales this week.

So much fun!

Year 10 of Creative Writing Camp at the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home! Glad to partner with Riley Children’s Foundation for a whole decade. If you haven’t visited this true Victorian time capsule, schedule a tour. It’s certainly an Indianapolis treasure 🤓

Re: Last Post

While gnome hunting, one student stumbled across this American dagger moth caterpillar. After some quick research, we learned that its bright yellow coloring does alert us of its poisonous sting. Glad no one touched this darling. We learned that nature is best to be observed and not disturbed. 💛

Also: What a great plot device for our stories!

It’s a tradition! We’re having creative writing camp at the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home and without fail, gnomes have escaped again this year. Will the campers be able to find them in the Victorian gardens? These little rascals are great hiders! 😉

Made these bookmarks for the kids taking our Winter Wonderland Writing and Drawing Class at Krannert Park today at 4:30. This duck is a resident there at the pond! There's still time to register. Hurry!

https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/indyparks/activity/search/detail/29461?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Found a grasshopper eating some mint leaves in my garden. I turned the photo into some meMINTo bookmarks to motivate my students to write this minty grasshopper's story. We have so much fun!

Wow! What a beautiful experience! The Indy 500 Parade was a blast! I’m proud of my hometown! And I’m proud that I get to work with inspiring people like my friend Susan Appel (The Indy Learning Team) and Tamika and Tauja Catchings (Catch the Stars Foundation).

Thank you for the ride - literally! 🏁

Hey! Are you watching the Indy 500 Parade today! Look for me, Professor Watermelon and The Indy Learning Team on the Tamika Catchings’ Grand Marshal Float! To watch at home, find the livestream on Peacock or WTHR 13 (locally)!

START YOUR ENGINES! 🏁🍉🏀