WILD BOTANICALS & AMAZING ANIMALS

ONE WEEK CAMP • June 8-12 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 6-8 • $450-$625

Explore your world! We will  learn to identify different plants and trees in the Oakland area, find out which are native and which are invasive. The campers will document the plants through various artistic mediums including watercolor, colored pencil, acrylic and sculpture. They will make pigment out of  foraged plant material and make art out of botanical materials. Campers will also explore the wonderful world of local fauna and insects. They will have the opportunity to interact with and create art centered around our animal ambassadors.

VIRTUAL WORLD BUILDING

ONE WEEK CAMP • June 8-12 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 9-11 • $450-$625

Bring the realms of your imagination to life with digital media and traditional art tools.  Explore experimental gaming, avatarism and storytelling. Use Virtual Reality, Scratch, Procreate, painting and sculpture to create magical worlds. 

CARPENTRY

TWO WEEK CAMP • June 15-26 & June 29-July 10 • 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Ages 6-13 • $1000-$1300

If you can imagine it you can build it! Campers will learn to use a complement of hand tools in a course that stresses respect for others, respect for tools, safe tool use, practical problem-solving and creative development. Projects increase in difficulty as experience grows, beginning with toy boats and working up to full-sized furniture and professional skateboards. 

*First day of Carpentry camp is mandatory for all first time carpentry campers*

CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY

ONE WEEK CAMP • June 15-19 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 9-11 • $450-$625

Join us for a creative journey packed with fun and innovation! In this camp students will dive into different modules exploring the wonders of creative technology and engineering. This hands-on class is all about sparking curiosity and building skills while having a blast!

Students in this camp will explore virtual reality and game design by creating their own mini-game in CoSpaces, then let classmates play it in virtual reality using Oculus! They will also design, download, and print their own custom 3D figurines, and finally build and program a robot using LEGO kits, then reimagine its purpose—like transforming it into a painting machine!

PRINTMAKING

ONE WEEK CAMP • June 15-19 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 7-9 • $450-$625

Jump into the exciting and colorful world of printmaking! Campers will dive into a variety of exciting printmaking techniques, including relief printing, stamp making, monotypes, Gelli plate printing, collagraphs, and much more. They’ll have the opportunity to design unique patterns, explore bold textures, and experiment with an array of materials to bring their artwork to life. Using a mix of recycled, found, natural, and traditional materials, campers will discover endless possibilities for creating truly unique prints that showcase their creativity and individuality.

INTRO TO SEWING

ONE WEEK CAMP • June 22-26 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 10-12 • $450-$625

In this hands-on sewing class, students will discover the fundamentals of sewing both by hand and machine. They’ll explore a variety of fabrics and materials while learning how to read and customize patterns. Measuring skills will be taught to ensure the perfect fit for every project. Throughout the camp, students will create fun and functional items like a stylish tote bag, a comfy t-shirt, and much more. It’s a fantastic opportunity to develop new skills, unleash creativity, and create something truly one-of-a-kind!

NATURE NAVIGATORS

ONE WEEK CAMP • June 22-26 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 6-8 • $450-$625

Take a bird’s eye view of who’s hoo at Lake Merritt and our local watershed. Put on your science hat and examine the flora, fauna and weather systems. Put on your artist’s hat to craft original maps and mixed media art projects based upon who we meet and what we discover. Campers will be gardening and interacting with our animal ambassadors.

COMICS & ZINES

ONE WEEK CAMP • June 29-July 3 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 8-10 • $450-$625

Create and publish your own story! Tell your own tale! In this camp, we will explore the world of visual storytelling. Artists will be introduced to basic concepts of cartooning, inking, storyboards, and more. They will also learn the cultural and social history of Zines and comics, using artists and collectives like Riot Grrrl, Lynda Barry, Kate Bingaman Burt, and others. Artists will share their work with their peers and the larger community.

MAGICAL REALMS

ONE WEEK CAMP • June 29-July 3 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 6-8 • $450-$625

Put your fairy wings on and explore the captivating world of magic, imagination and nature in the realm of fantasy. Artists will create enchanting fairy art including dwellings, flower crowns, sculptures and potions while weaving imaginative tales of fairies and other creatures that inhabit their charming world. Take walks through Lake Merritt and install fairy doors as you hunt for evidence of magic all around us.

TOY MAKERS

ONE WEEK CAMP • July 6-10 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 8-10 • $450-$625

Unleash your creativity in this maker centered camp by transforming old toys into brand-new creations! Campers will design and build their own toys, from analog inventions to electronic marvels, using recycled materials, electronics, and various devices. From crafting custom cars and innovative robots to designing unique board games, this camp empowers students to imagine, invent, and bring their ideas to life.

CREATIVE CREATURES

ONE WEEK CAMP • July 6-10 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 6-8 • $450-$625

Mythical and real, common and exotic, all are welcome at Creative Creatures Camp! Using a variety of art media including sculpture, painting, drawing and printmaking, artists will have fun exploring real and fanciful animals. They will make biological drawings, design habitats and create artwork based on real animals and fantastic creatures from their own imaginations. Afternoons will be spent bringing their drawings and paintings to life through puppets and sculptures.

DIGITAL STORYTELLING STUDIO

TWO WEEK CAMP • July 6-17 • 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Ages 13-17 • $1000 – $1300

Join us for a two-week intensive camp where you will transform your ideas into compelling digital stories! Digital Storytelling Studio is the perfect camp for aspiring filmmakers, content creators, and anyone who loves to tell a great tale and wants to master the tools to share it with the world. Digital storytelling is the modern art of combining narrative, images, video, and sound to create short, impactful media. The camp will introduce various filmmaking techniques, such as stop-motion, expository, personal interviews, montage, and reenactment. Campers will learn how to use phones and tablets as accessible filmmaking technology, along with learning how to use video editing software. Over two weeks, campers will move from concept development to final polished product, creating their own short film, documentary, or personal video essay to share with their family and friends.

EXTREME STEAM

ONE WEEK CAMP • July 13-17 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 8-10 • $450-$625

Bend the rules and test the limits of your most creative ideas to see what fun can be had in the STEAM LAB. What can you create/destroy with a homemade trebuchet? What can you transport on your homemade mini zipline? How high can your water rocket go? Enter the exuberant meeting of art and science in this messy, fun camp!

SHOWSTOPPERS

ONE WEEK CAMP • July 13-17 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 9-12 • $450-$625

“Showstoppers” is an exciting theater camp where creativity takes center stage! Together, campers will collaborate to create their very own play. From brainstorming themes and crafting storylines to developing memorable characters, every camper will be part of the magic. Along the way, they’ll dive into hands-on fun—building props, painting backdrops, and designing costumes. The grand finale? A spectacular on-stage performance showcasing the play they’ve brought to life! This camp offers an unforgettable experience filled with imagination, teamwork, and all kinds of creative expression.

FASHION LAB: DESIGN YOUR AESTHETIC

ONE WEEK CAMP • July 20-24 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 12-17 • $450-$625

Fashion Lab is where your vision moves from the sketchbook to reality. We are diving deep into the world of custom creation, starting with sketching and mood boards. You’ll begin by mapping out your aesthetic, choosing colors, textures, and patterns that define your personal style.

Once your vision is set, the real hands-on work begins in the textile studio. You’ll learn to treat fabric like a canvas, using block printing and fabric painting to design your own custom textiles. You’re encouraged to bring favorite pieces from home to upcycle, leveling them up with professional embroidery, beadwork, custom patches, and intricate stitching.

As the week unfolds, you’ll experiment with scale and form, choosing from a curated selection of patterns to transform fabrics into wearable pieces. By the time you wrap your session, you won’t just leave with a mini-collection of original creations; you’ll walk away with the technical skills and the creative confidence to keep designing your own future.

*Campers must have previous sewing experience*

ECO-INNOVATORS

ONE WEEK CAMP • July 20-24 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 6-8 • $450-$625

In this camp, we’ll learn about upcycling and turning everyday stuff into art, while exploring the flora and fauna around us. We focus on sensory art, building challenges, and playful learning that connects nature’s textures and colors to science principles. We’ll become alchemists of color and turn plants into our very own natural pigments! You’ll use mixed media, recycled materials and nature finds to build sturdy eco-habitats, create incredible textured collages and 3D sculptures. Plus, you’ll get to meet our wonderful, gentle animal ambassadors. We’ll learn all about them, their amazing bug friends, and even make special art inspired by them! Get ready to explore, tinker, and create!

STOP MOTION ANIMATION

ONE WEEK CAMP • July 20-24 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 8-11 • $450-$625

Tap into the incredible practice of stop-motion film production and technique. Animation camp has everything young filmmakers need to create their own movies. They will explore story planning and set design. They will make their own characters out of paper, clay and other exciting materials.  And they will learn how to use special effects, create titles and add music and sound to their film project.

STUDIO ART

ONE WEEK CAMP • July 27-31 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 13-17 • $450-$625

This studio art camp is designed for young artists who want to dive deep into the creative process and offers a professional studio environment to explore new mediums and elevate your skills. Each day introduces new techniques and challenges, balancing guided instruction with open studio time for independent exploration. Campers will experiment with a variety of materials, including charcoal, acrylics, watercolors, ink, and mixed media. Artists will be encouraged to develop original concepts and personal style, while honing in on concepts in composition, color theory, perspective, and observational drawing. Participants will learn how to analyze art and give/receive professional feedback through supportive group critiques and a culminating showcase.

DIGITAL ART

ONE WEEK CAMP • July 27-31 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 10-12 • $450-$625

This camp is ideal for pre-teens interested in expressing themselves through digital art! Whether you’re a beginner curious to explore the world of digital creation or an experienced artist looking to refine your skills, this class welcomes all skill levels. Participants will dive into the fundamentals of digital art using Procreate, mastering techniques for designing, drawing, and animating while unleashing their creativity.

MATERIAL MULTIVERSE

ONE WEEK CAMP • July 27-31 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 6-8 • $450-$625

In the Material Multiverse artists can be printmakers, sculptors, painters, textile artists, bookmakers and more. They will discover new ways to express themselves using a myriad of exciting and unconventional materials, as well as traditional art materials. Campers will experiment with a wide variety of  techniques including weaving, watercolor marbling, clay modeling, metal work and more!

DIGITAL POWER UP

ONE WEEK CAMP • Aug 3-7 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 9-11 • $450-$625

This camp is your mission to become a digital comic creator using procreate. Campers will create physical characters using clay, paper, pencil, and paint, and then upload images of their creations to ipads. Once uploaded, campers will add digital embellishments, including:

• Super Brush Secrets: We’ll show you how to use amazing digital brushes to make fire, lighting, glitter, or anything else you can dream up!
• Magic Layers: Learn how layers work to fix mistakes easily and color your characters like a pro.
• Character Creator: Design your very own main character. What are their powers? What do they look like? What is their secret origin story?

Then, you will learn how to put your character into action to tell a hilarious or super-dramatic story! You’ll leave your very own complete digital comic strip and digital superpowers to keep creating at home.

TINKER LAB

ONE WEEK CAMP • Aug 3-7 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 6-8 • $450-$625

Welcome to the Tinkerer’s workshop where we investigate science and technology through art making. Tinkerers spend the week fully immersed in the STEAM Lab. They will investigate basic circuitry, solar energy, robots and more while creating a variety of thrilling projects like toys from recycled materials, electronics, and other devices.