A Day Camp With a Difference : Arts: Black teen-agers explore their creative abilities in a week of workshops. Friendships and new skills are their rewards.

LaChristian Williams and Candice Waters say it wasn’t their idea to sign up for Creative Arts Summer Day Camp this week at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Their parents wanted them to go. But as they painted in the art studio Tuesday, the two teen-agers spoke of the wisdom of their parents’ ways. “I came in dragging my feet, but by the middle of the day I was having fun,” said Candice.

And there is more to it than fun. The camp is dedicated to teaching youngsters about black culture and encouraging them to stretch their artistic wings. Although some of the 40 day campers have experience acting, singing or playing a musical instrument, others are artistic novices.

“They get into every art form. Someone may think he can only write, but he learns he can dance too,” camp director Hansonia Caldwell said.

Caldwell, who is dean of the university’s School of Humanities and Fine Arts, calls the camp a way for youngsters “to learn to express themselves through several points of view.”

Some of the teen-agers said there is some initial terror in being asked to dance or act, but that just getting out there and trying seemed to ease stage fright.

“Our acting teacher tells us to be willing to take a risk, to be embarrassed,” said Tyrone Fields.

The week culminates today with the teen-agers presenting an hour-long musical and dramatic show. They not only perform in it, they help to write and choreograph the show and paint the scenery.

The students come to camp at 8 a.m. and do not leave until 7 at night. A day of workshops and rehearsals is capped by swimming and swimming lessons in the university pool.

Caldwell said the youngsters are expected to work hard and make progress in the workshops, but, she added, “arts time is naturally enjoyable” and the students also have time to play and form friendships that last long after camp ends.

There was plenty of confirmation from the teen-agers. Geovante Minor said that even with the full schedule, the week is also relaxing and fun. He added: “I like the people.”

Begun 11 years ago, the annual camp grew out of Caldwell’s concern that the schools weren’t doing doing justice to black culture. She and her Jubilee Singers--who specialize in black spirituals and gospel music--decided to do something about it, and organized the creative arts camp.

“They discover where they came from,” Caldwell said.

Choir concerts during the year raise money to finance the annual sessions--$5,000 this year--and some former choir members are among the camp’s 14 staffers. The camp is free to the youngsters, who come from throughout Los Angeles. Students are selected from applicants who write essays on why they want to attend.

The career of a black artist provides the theme of every camp. This year’s artist is Sammy Davis Jr., who was picked--before he died in May--because of his versatility as a singer, dancer and actor, Caldwell said.

“He was a multiply talented individual and he fits perfectly as a role model for the talent motivation we do at this camp,” she said, adding that Davis’ life offers a view of 20th-Century black culture and examples of the racial discrimination black entertainers may face.

The show today will be a tribute to Davis, with production numbers from Broadway shows in which Davis starred and a finale based on one of his signature songs, “Mr. Bojangles.” The set will be dominated by portraits of Davis the youngsters have painted.

The performance is at 7 p.m. in the University Theatre. Tickets are $3, and it is open to the public.

Caldwell says the six days at camp give the students “an experience with success, completion and excellence.”

Ruby Wyatt, who heads the university art department and is on the camp’s staff, said the youngsters learn how to be creative.

“They come in with the jitters,” she said. “They say they can’t draw, they can’t sing, they can’t do this and that. By the third day, they’ve settled down.”