Fall & Winter Mini Camps available for registration in South Orange and Montclair

Summer 2025 registration coming January 2025

At Camp Canary, artists will imagine a new creative role each week- sculptors, fashion designers, chefs, puppeteers.  We’ll embody these roles and take a deep dive into the week’s theme through play, project work, costume, environmental design, and visiting professionals.  The camp environment allows for project work that will be layered, detailed, and revisited daily..  like a miniature dreamhouse custom painted and papered, with handcrafted furnishings.  A bento box bursting with variety of tasty textural foods made from fabric and clay or a collaborative puppet show complete with a set and lighting design. 

This year we are hosting one week of Camp Canary Mini Camp for preschoolers who end their school year in early June. June 10-14, 9am- 2pm, ages 4-5.

Camp Canary will be held from June 24- August 23, 2024 at our studio in South Orange for 4- 9 year olds (groups are split into 4-6 and 7-9 year olds, with the exception of Dreamhouse Design week which starts at age 5).

We’ll be offering a joyful and creative indoor/ outdoor full- day experience: 9am- 3pm at our studio in South Orange. Ages ranges are firm.

Camp fee is $595. Payment plans are available with 50% due at checkout and 50% due 6/1/24.

10% Sibling Discount and 10% discount for more than one week of camp registration (only one discount is applicable). 

Cancellation Policy: Oh! Canary Camps are refundable- less a $50 processing fee- up to 45 days in advance.  After 45 days in advance, we can offer a credit- less a $50 processing fee- IF we are able to fill the spot.  Otherwise, camps are non- refundable. 

fall mini camps 9am- 2pm, ages 4-8 will be posted later this summer.

 

summer schedule

June 10- 14: Camp Canary Mini Camp (ages 4-5, *9am-2pm)

June 24- 28: Dream House Design (ages 5-9)

July 1- 3: Cardboard Creators (ages 4-9, prorated for 3- day week)

July 8-12: Makers Market (ages 4-9)

July 15- 21: Sculptors Workshop (ages 4-9)

July 22- 26: Puppeteers (ages 4-9)

July 29- Aug 2: Rainbow Lab- Art Meets Science (ages 4-9)

August 5- 9: Fashion Week (ages 4-9)

August 12-16: Painters Workshop (ages 4-9)

August 19- 23: Foodie Fun (ages 4-9)

Camp Descriptions

June 10- 14: Camp Canary Mini Camp During our mini camp, preschool artists will play and create all day!  We'll have a mix of open ended play prompts that our students will be invited into, and then we curate project work based on age levels and seasonal themes.  We'll mix our day with outdoor play at walkable parks.  

June 24- 28: Dream House Design (5+) During this week artists will become model dream home designers! Artists will design and assemble their very own dream house.  We’ll stretch our imaginations to design an interior blueprint and plan out wall colors and furniture layout.  We’ll paint walls and apply wallpaper, build our own mini furniture, slides, pools, and jungle gyms from an assortment of interesting materials. We'll create mini art work, rugs and of course peg dolls to play with in their new digs. Artists will leave camp with a custom dream house to take home!

July 1- 3: Cardboard Creators What can you do with a cardboard box? This material ignites kids’ imaginations like no other. During this short week, we’ll explore different ways to manipulate and attach cardboard along with other up-cycled materials. Our campers will take the lead as they construct creations unique to their own visions- the ultimate open- ended challenge. Collaborative play and construction will also be encouraged as we fill the studio with large scale cardboard boxes, sheets, and up-cycle treasures.

July 8-12: Makers Market Calling all artisans! This week, campers will become creative entrepreneurs, meeting with local makers to learn how they go about crafting, marketing and selling their creations. Using different mediums, we will create various handmade items and then set up our very own “Makers Market” on Friday for the campers to “shop.”

July 15- 19: Sculptors Workshop During this week in camp, we will become Sculptors, engaging in materials and processes that are dynamic, engaging, and 3- dimensional. Students will finish the week with hands- on understanding of concepts like balance, harmony, depth, and form… and have tons of fun! 

July 22- 26: Puppeteers Campers become storytellers, directors, and puppeteers as they bring their creations to life! Throughout the week, your camper will develop a character and create their own puppet and props.  We will also explore a variety of styles from finger puppets to shadow puppets. Campers will work collaboratively to build sets, imagine dialogue, and perform a show at the end of our week together.

July 29- Aug 2: Rainbow Lab- Art Meets Science. Welcome to Rainbow Lab where your child will explore the intersection between art and science! Creativity is needed for scientific breakthroughs and art is often an expression of scientific knowledge.  During this camp week we’ll dive into colorful chemistry making our own color mixing discovery bottles, color changing slime, and hand made frescos. Then we’ll switch gears to explore force, motion, and gravity through kinetic sculpture.  Sure to be a dynamic and playful camp to develop your child's sense of curiosity and wonder!

August 5- 9: Fashion Week During Fashion Week, our House of Canary Designers will examine all things STYLE.  Designers will cut and assemble outfits for a wooden mannequin using fabrics, yarns, paints, and more- a Camp Canary crowd pleaser!  We’ll consider artists like Nick Cave and Mickalene Thomas as we examine body confidence, wearable sculpture, and art through the lens of fashion (curriculum may vary slightly depending on our repeat students).


August 12-16: Painters Workshop How do colors mix? Can we use the motion in our bodies to create interesting marks? How can we combine mix media to create layers in our paintings? During this camp week, we'll work on our own large canvas using layered techniques over days and explore these ideas through a dynamic and colorful curriculum that is sure to engage any young artist!

August 21- 25: Foodie Fun Are chefs artists? Can artists be chefs? Of course! In this week of Foodie Fun, campers will create their own artist/chef personas and make food-themed artworks using a variety of art materials and techniques. Plenty of child led, open ended play and exploration are on the menu- and your kiddos will eat it up!