Summer Camp

June 15 - 19

ages 3-6

8:45 - 2:00

$240 paid by check

$250 paid by card

Young artists and materials scientists will explore their creativity with a variety of process-art and sensory filled experiences. We’ll make slime with psyllium husk powder, create reused materials collages, and make our own playdough. Of course, this camp can’t be complete without tie-dye, face and body painting, and water play! From too much glue to watermelon volcanoes, be prepared to make a mess! Let’s splatter some paint! (And don’t worry, you can wash your hands when you’re done!)

June 22 - 26

ages 3 - 6

8:45 - 2:00

$240 paid by check

$250 paid by card

Maybe you know the Big Green Monster, or perhaps Nibbles, the Terrible Whatzit, Wild Things, or the Gruffalo. During this camp, we’ll enjoy meeting these and other monsters in their books, and we’ll also imagine an escape! Yes, that’s right– it’s up to us to find and catch a monster, which we can only do by solving a set of “escape room” style puzzles that use all of our smarts and creativity. Through books, pretend play, and art, children will practice becoming masters of their own imagination, allowing the world of monsters to thrill them before packing that monster away (because after all, monsters are only pretend). 

June 22 - 26

ages 7 - 10

9:00 - 3:15

$295 pay by check

$305 pay by card

Discover the secrets of the animal world through exploration of animal signs, adaptations, predator/prey relationships, and the senses. Explore what animals eat, where they live, and how they communicate. Through games, dramatic play, art projects, nature explorations at Price Park, and even an owl pellet dissection, we’ll enter the world of birds, mammals, reptiles, and more.

June 29 - July 3

ages 3 - 5

8:45 - noon

$170 paid by check

$175 paid by card

We’ve tailored this screen-free games and adventures camp for younger children. Campers will enjoy basics like a scavenger hunt at Price Park, jump rope rhymes, and games of Sharks & Minnows. We’ll use our creativity creating chalk challenges, work together to make and play our own mini-golf course, enjoy a day of water fun (including a game of cold potato!), and play board games like Fish Stix. Along the way, we’ll practice following rules, taking turns, and being a good sport.

June 29 - July 3

ages 6 - 12

9:00 - 3:15

$295 paid by check

$305 paid by card

Guard the fire from the wiley humans, transport life saving goods between islands separated by oceans of lava, wrestle with your chicken before they’re stolen by another farmer, keep magical cat families together in your boat as you rescue them, and don’t spell S-P-O-O-N. Nonsense? Absolutely! Campers will work together and individually to complete physical and mental challenges. From Capture the Flag to Eagle Eye, Ticket to Ride to Magical Athlete, we’ll play screen-free games of all kind, and even make our own board games. This camp includes outdoor and indoor games, as well as trips to Price Park.

July 6 - 10

ages 3 - 7

8:45 - 3:00

$295 paid by check

$305 paid by card

Our littlest scientists enter into the world of Limnology, the study of fresh waters, through hands-on experiences at Price Park. We’ll start the week by exploring creek creatures and their adaptations, such as caddisflies and crayfish. Finding and making model rafts out of natural materials, experimenting with buoyancy, making model watersheds, and searching for salamanders will continue our studies. Campers will also have the chance to become citizen-scientists by learning about water pollution and filtration, and testing the waters for nitrates, which we will then share online at Nitrate Watch. 

July 6 - 10

ages 8 - 11

9:00 - 3:15

$295 paid by check

$305 paid by card

In this camp, we’ll find inspiration from our Appalachian surroundings, as well as modern and historical Native American, European American, and African American artists. We’ll start this camp learning about bee keeping and candle making from a bee keeper. Throughout the week, we’ll dabble in clay collection and pottery, weaving, wood carving or whittling, and basket making. A trip to  Price Park will facilitate land art and gelli plate printing. We’ll end on Friday with some time in the garden and an Art Show and Crankie performance for families at 2:45.

July 13 - July 17

ages 3 - 7

8:45 - 2:00

$240 paid by check

$250 paid by card

Does your child live for the immersive, complex imaginary play that seems to take over and become their whole world for an afternoon… or more? This camp is for them! In this session, campers will role play different parts in stories and create and act out their own, with a performance for families held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday. Other activities can include storytelling and song by the campfire and making and using props, costumes, and puppets.

July 20 - 24

ages 4 - 7

8:45 - 2:00

$250 pay by check

$260 pay by card

In this exploratory camp, campers will immerse themselves in our ⅛ acre educational garden, harvesting in-season plants daily. Throughout the week, we’ll read books and play games about gardens, make food, and create art projects. We’ll learn about pollinators, parts of a plant, and plan our own gardens. We’ll escape the afternoon heat with trips to Price Park’s cool streams, looking for forest pollinators and foraging opportunities along the way. We’ll end the camp with a camper-created market stand on Friday, where each camper helps curate a beautiful stand– and shops carefully (included in camp fees).

July 20 - 24

ages 8 -11

9:00 - 4:00

$320 paid by check

$335 paid by card

Young architects, engineers, and makers will build structures and solve problems during five STEAM-filled days. Campers will experiment with simple machines, solve problems using unlikely materials, and practice teamwork. We’ll look at how fire works, and experiment with the properties of water, earth, and wind. We’ll read maps and take a look at urban planning before we go back to the basics and make our own (temporary) structures at Price Park. Whether we are making our own catapults and learning about projectile science, or designing the best set of newspaper shoes to cross our handmade bridges, this camp asks us to meet a new challenge every day. 

July 27 - 31

ages 6 -9

9:00 - 3:15

$295 pay by check

$305 pay by card

Water, wind, earth, and fire- we’re just as fascinated by these elemental forces as you are, so let’s explore them! In this camp, we’ll make a campfire and learn about campfire safety, make and fly our own kites, and practice skipping rocks at Price Park. We’ll use the sun and fire to help us make art, experiment with a wind tunnel, and look for clues in real pieces of triceratops horn fossils. These are some of the many gifts that this planet gives to us, and in this camp we’ll show our gratitude by becoming Earth Protectors as we make “bug hotels” and participate in a creek clean up. 

July 27 - 31

ages 3 - 5

8:45 - 12:00

$170 pay by check

$175 pay by card

The natural world glimmers with magic and fantasy at this summer camp where it’s all about fairies and gnomes! Children will participate in themed read alouds, songs, storytelling, and dramatic play. We’ll also play with size and scale with our “tiny fairy selves” and by making gnome homes. We’ll mix “magic potions”, learn how to help garden fairies and tooth fairies, and create art while exploring The Mayapple School’s outdoor classroom and Price Park. 

August 3 - 7

ages 3 - 7

8:45 - noon

$170 pay by check

$175 pay by card

Can’t decide between art and science? Garden or games? Fact or fiction? You don’t have to– this camp is for young explorers who love it all! This week, we’ll spend time in the garden, make art, participate in water play, play games, and take trips to Price Park. Science explorations, a group role playing session, and parachute play round out the week.