Click here to jump to Summer 2017!
Click here to jump to Make A Day Of It Camps for days when school is closed.
Make art, sew, design, build, learn + play with us.
We grow artists — creatively confident kids who approach obstacles with curiosity, unafraid to explore and even fail along the way to a solution. Creatively confident people grow up to solve problems big and small, globally and locally.
STEMs need flowers.
Campers learn about their world and creative voice with open-ended learning experiences in the arts that include subjects like science, social studies and math. All campers are eligible to earn Chicago City of Learning STEAM-focused digital badges representing their effort and accomplishment.
Small on purpose.
Quality over quantity. Process over product. We’re big on mission and intentionally small. Campers get to know one another and our entire team: we get to know your camper, their needs and interests. We make ample space for decision-making, leadership and self-advocacy skills to bloom while investing in purposeful relationships with each child, creating a comfortable learning environment for the most gregarious or shy camper. There’s no way to get lost in the crowd in our camp.
Do camp awesome.
No stickers or pre-fab here. We take full advantage of our big, beautiful space, technology, quality materials and proximity to outdoor spaces and local businesses to stretch our minds and bodies. All campers are welcome to bring their music players and play DJ.
Make A Day Of It Camp
The only thing predictable in this art camp is the fun. Each camp offers a new theme, new skills and new friends. The day’s activities are planned to consider the enrolled campers who are then grouped by age-range and interests on the day of camp. Each day includes multiple art/craft/(machine- and hand-)sewing/building projects, mid-morning snack (provided, nut and/or gluten-free available) and fun+games. Some days include multiple smaller projects while others include a full-day project. Ages 5-12 suggested (talk to us about your child. We often offer a Leadership Camp for Grades 7-10).
9:00am-3:00pm (drop-off begins at 8:30am) $85/participant. After-Care 3pm-6pm $25. Day camp registration is required for After-Care enrollment. Enroll for After-Care by choosing a Crafternoon from the calendar on your camp’s date.
Make A Day Of It Camp
*camp discount for Crafter-School members may not be combined with other promotions or discounts
- Drop-off for Make A Day Of It camp begins at 8:30am (Summer Camp drop-off begins at 8:00am).
- Campers are welcome to arrive anytime. We always have a full-day of open-ended, creative hoopla planned with projects that begin by 9:30am.
- Mid-morning (and mid-afternoon for those campers enrolled in the after-camp programs) wholesome snack is served. The workshop is planet-friendly and allergy-conscious: nut-free and/or gluten-free snacks are available.
- Campers bring their own lunch. We break for lunch mid-day and campers are encouraged to pack lunches in reusable containers.
- Campers who attend through 3:00pm have the best opportunity to complete all we have planned for them (and learn about things like wavelength and stitch-length, capability and miscibility, automation and celebration, parallelism and pointillism, citizenship and artisanship… we can keep going if you want..)
- Register here or by clicking on any camp date. If this is your first booking with us. our system will take you through the steps of creating an account to make future registration simpler. You only need to add this info once and our system provides the features to maintain account details, access receipts and more.
Did we miss a day? We might be able to schedule something for your school and your friends. Just ask!
Ready to jump right into registration? Click here for Idea Playground camps for Ages 5-8 and here for Spoolhouse Rock (aka Project Wishcraft) camps for Ages 8-12. Click here to learn how to save on camp with multi-week memberships.
2017 Summer Camp runs June 19 – September 1, 2017
9:00am-3:00pm (drop-off begins at 8:00am) $395/week
Crafternoons (After-Care) 3pm-6pm $25/day or $80/week for enrolled campers.
Save $320 in after-care by registering for a 4-week membership 9:00am-6:00pm for Idea Playground (ages 5-8) or Spoolhouse Rock (ages 8-12). This membership does not qualify for early-bird discounts because it is already discounted but early registration is suggested in order to secure spots in your preferred weeks.
Save 20% by registering for a 6-week membership 9:00am-6:00pm for Idea Playground (ages 5-8) or Spoolhouse Rock (ages 8-12). Early registration is suggested in order to secure spots in your preferred weeks.
Save 30% (or more) by registering for an Idea Playground (ages 5-8) or Spoolhouse Rock (ages 8-12) All-Access membership for a full summer of 9:00am-6:00pm. Early registration is suggested in order to secure spots in your preferred weeks.
What’s New?
- If you already know which weeks you’d like, go ahead and register to save your spot. You’ll notice that we now ask you to choose how many weeks you would like to a) speed up the checkout process and b) offer you discounts for multiple weeks. You can always add more weeks later if there is still capacity.
- Drop-off for Summer 2017 camp begins at 8:00am at no additional charge. Campers are welcome to arrive anytime. We always have a full-day of open-ended, creative hoopla planned with projects that begin by 9:30am.
- Our Kids-A-Go-Go drop-off and pick-up areas make transitions a summer breeze.
- A new way to order fresh, organic lunch delivered by Pak’d. (Stay tuned for ordering details.)
- We’ve kept some of your favorite camps on the schedule and infused it with some fresh ideas (surprise!) Look for Seamsters Union, Pixelism and Bookworms for younger campers and The Illustrator, The Sewist, The Journalist and The Influencer for older campers.
Ages 5-8 make art, explore big ideas + play with various techniques + mediums.
June 19-June 23 Seamsters Union
You already know how much we love sewing. Little kids love it, too! This camp teaches a variety of needlework techniques in addition to adult-assisted machine-sewing: each camper designs and makes a machine-sewn-quality garment (skirt or shorts). It’s a ‘big kid” camp experience for younger campers to learn about design and construction, hand-sewing, embroidery, cross-stitch and teamwork. No previous sewing experience is required and those with experience take on new challenges. Includes a walking field-trip to Little Threads children’s clothing boutique.
June 26-June 30 Bookworms
Making books. Making art with old books. Making other stuff with pages from books. Books are good. Kids with books…even better. This camp is appropriate for all levels of reading and writing skill as ideas will be expressed using a multitude of techniques. Bring on those little imaginations! Includes a morning at our workshop with book-binding expert and teacher Nancy Melvin .
July 3, 5 Pixelism (choose single days from the calendar)
It’s so hip to be square…or a cube. Campers build, design, paint, stitch and sculpt using this most humble and useful shape. Fans of video game adventures using block-building will love mining this analog version of art and craft fun. This week campers work on a new set of projects each day: it’s a choose your own adventure! Come for just one day or sign up for all of them!
July 10-July 14 Greenie Pants
Campers get wild about their inner-naturalist as we travel around the planet with our green-colored glasses. Campers become eco-heroes as they work together to learn about the geometry of nature, the chemistry of flowers and explore a variety of art and craft techniques that celebrate the planet. Includes a visit from Jenny Perillo, green-living advocate and Founder of Lena Rose .
July 17-July 21 Mixie Dust
The chemistry of art, the art of chemistry and the magic of bringing the two together. Melting, mixing, blowing, exploding– this week’s campers get logical, experimental and artistical* as they mix up take-home treasures. No magic wand required. *We made up this word. Includes a lesson with Noktivo Founder, Jenny Perillo at our workshop.
July 24-July 28 Fly, Bobbin, Fly
Travel the globe one stitch, one dab, one pluck at a time. Our itinerary includes stops on multiple continents and we’ll be working with paper, textiles, clay and wood. Campers in this terrific taxi of a week are going to need a bigger suitcase: we’ll provide their passport to awesome. Includes a discussion with travel photographer Patrice Olsen at our workshop.
July 31-August 4 Littlelandia
Imagine a universe of you. The people. The culture. The language. The environment. Every aspect of their Littlelandia universe is their’s to design and make using a variety of mediums and techniques including sewing, sculpting and painting. Campers go home with a set of playthings that will keep them happily busy indoors or out with an endless world of play. Includes a discussion with archeologist Andrew Border at our workshop.
August 7-August 11 Bookworms
Making books. Making art with old books. Making other stuff with pages from books. Books are good. Kids with books…even better. This camp is appropriate for all levels of reading and writing skill as ideas will be expressed using a multitude of techniques. Bring on those little imaginations! Includes a morning at our workshop with book-binding expert and teacher Nancy Melvin .
August 14-August 18 Seamsters Union
You already know how much we love sewing. Little kids love it, too! This camp teaches a variety of needlework techniques in addition to adult-assisted machine-sewing: each camper designs and makes a machine-sewn-quality garment (skirt or shorts). It’s a ‘big kid” camp experience for younger campers to learn about design and construction, hand-sewing, embroidery, cross-stitch and teamwork. No previous sewing experience is required and those with experience take on new challenges. Includes a walking field-trip to Half Pint children’s clothing boutique.
August 21-August 25 Pixelism
It’s so hip to be square…or a cube. Campers build, design, paint, stitch and sculpt using this most humble and useful shape. Fans of video game adventures using block-building will love mining this analog version of art and craft fun. Includes a morning at our workshop with digital expert and teacher Tamasin Ford .
August 28-September 1 Hello School
Creative kids looking for a final summer adventure (and to warm up those thinking caps) get prepared for the new school-year with fun and educational art and craft activities. Campers return to school with custom “supplies†(like a pencil-case that looks like a pencil or milk-money pouch that looks like a milk carton!) you can’t find just anywhere. Includes a “Field Day” field-trip to a local park.
Ages 8-12 make art, explore big ideas + design, pattern + machine-sew garments + more.
All camps include a machine-sewing project(s) of the camper’s own design be it garments or other machine-sewn projects as guided by their interests. Campers design, construct, draft a flat-pattern and sew a garment/item from scratch using their own measurements and all the tools of the trade No sewing experience is required and those with experience take on additional challenges. All Spoolhouse Rock (pka Project Wishcraft ) camps include a photo-shoot on the final day of camp, expert guest speakers and walking field-trips.
June 19-June 23 The Influencer
It doesn’t matter how many followers you have, it’s about what you have to say! Define and document your style. Campers learn about social media, online safety and branding alongside the week’s design, patterning and machine-sewing projects. Recommended for campers for whom social media is approved (Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, Twitter..) Campers design, construct, draft a flat-pattern and machine-sew a garment/item from scratch using their own measurements and all the tools of the trade No sewing experience is required and those with experience take on additional challenges. Includes a photo-shoot on the final day of camp, a discussion with Jem Bahaijoub of imaginePR and a walking field-trip to Lime Red Studio.
June 26-June 30 The Illustrator
How does a garment go from idea to your closet? Campers learn about the entire fashion life-cycle, starting with various illustration techniques to capture and communicate their vision, while learning how to write a spec sheet and make a pattern from that spec. Campers design, construct, draft a flat-pattern and machine-sew a garment/item from scratch using their own measurements and all the tools of the trade No sewing experience is required and those with experience take on additional challenges. Includes a photo-shoot on the final day of camp and a walking field-trip to Mignonette to sketch various textures and opacities.
July 3, 5, 6 and 7 The Stylist (choose single days from the calendar)
Clothes are just clothes without the unique person that makes them their own. Campers explore developing a signature personal style and self-advocacy while designing and making hand- and machine-sewn accessories. This week campers work on a new set of projects each day: it’s a choose your own adventure! Come for just one day or sign up for all of them!
July 10-July 14 The Futurist
What does the future hold for fashion? Campers polish their crystal ball and jump in the time-machine by taking a look at costume history, how historical events have shaped what we wear, what popular culture has imagined about the future, how these influences may shape the designs of tomorrow. and then apply their vision to an avant garde look of their own. Campers design, construct, draft a flat-pattern and machine-sew a garment/item from scratch using their own measurements and all the tools of the trade No sewing experience is required and those with experience take on additional challenges. Includes a photo-shoot on the final day of camp, a discussion with vintage expert Sara Jane Abbott of See Jane Sparkle and a walking field-triip to CHIRP Radio .
July 17-July 21 The Traveler
Chart your global citizenship. Campers learn about geography, world-cultures, self-awareness and diversity alongside the week’s art and sewing projects to create a garment infused with tradition and ready to see the world. Campers design, construct, draft a flat-pattern and machine-sew a garment/item from scratch using their own measurements and all the tools of the trade No sewing experience is required and those with experience take on additional challenges. Includes a photo-shoot on the final day of camp, a visit with travel photographer Patrice Olsen and a tea tasting event with Delicious.
July 24-July 28 The Maker
Discover your DIY attitude and hone your craftsperson-ship. Campers learn bout technical side of the design process including fiber content, textile selection and findings (that’s a fashiony word for buttons, elastic and stuff). Campers design, construct, draft a flat-pattern and machine-sew a garment/item from scratch using their own measurements and all the tools of the trade No sewing experience is required and those with experience take on additional challenges. Includes a photo-shoot on the final day of camp and multi-stop walking field-trip to meet with the experts at Bari Zaki. Knit 1 and Union Handmade .
July 31-August 4 The Stylist
Clothes are just clothes without the unique person that makes them their own. Campers explore developing a signature personal style, their voice and self-advocacy skills while learning to get the most out of what’s in their closets (or the floor) and how to put it all together with accessories and grooming. Campers design, construct, draft a flat-pattern and machine-sew a garment/item from scratch using their own measurements and all the tools of the trade No sewing experience is required and those with experience take on additional challenges. Includes a photo-shoot on the final day of camp, a discussion with visual-merchandising expert Kate Merena of Sacred Art and a walking field-trip to Crush on Roscoe .
August 7-August 11 The Sewist
What does a foot and an iron share in common (warning- sewing pun ahead)? They both press! Campers learn and experiment with the extra stuff a sewing-machine can do, what all those presser feet are for and more advanced seams and finishes to apply in their sewing projects. Campers design, construct, draft a flat-pattern and machine-sew a garment/item from scratch using their own measurements and all the tools of the trade No sewing experience is required and those with experience take on additional challenges. Includes a photo-shoot on the final day of camp, an expert seamster Laura Whitlock of Lark Millinery and a walking field-trip (TBA).
August 14-August 18 The Influencer
It doesn’t matter how many followers you have, it’s about what you have to say! Define and document your style. Campers learn about social media, online safety and branding alongside the week’s design, patterning and machine-sewing projects. Recommended for campers for whom social media is approved (Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, Twitter..) Campers design, construct, draft a flat-pattern and machine-sew a garment/item from scratch using their own measurements and all the tools of the trade No sewing experience is required and those with experience take on additional challenges. Includes a photo-shoot on the final day of camp, a discussion with Jem Bahaijoub of imaginePR and a walking field-trip to Lime Red Studio.
August 21-August 25 The Journalist
Speak up! Campers learn about journalism, consumer literacy and point-of-view alongside the week’s art and sewing projects. We can’t wait to see their mocked-up magazine page or cover! Campers design, construct, draft a flat-pattern and machine-sew a garment/item from scratch using their own measurements and all the tools of the trade No sewing experience is required and those with experience take on additional challenges. Includes a photo-shoot on the final day of camp, time with fashion-stylist Annie Frances and walking field-trip to Bazar .
August 28-September 1 The Illustrator
How does a garment go from idea to your closet? Campers learn about the entire fashion life-cycle, starting with various illustration techniques to capture and communicate their vision, while learning how to write a spec sheet and make a pattern from that spec. Campers design, construct, draft a flat-pattern and machine-sew a garment/item from scratch using their own measurements and all the tools of the trade No sewing experience is required and those with experience take on additional challenges. Includes a photo-shoot on the final day of camp and a walking field-trip to Mignonette to sketch various textures and opacities.
What’s The Same?
Most people hear about us from their friends and that may be why we’re lucky enough you’re here now. Just in case, following are some of the reasons we see campers year after year:
- We make camp convenient for you while facilitating immersive experiences that make campers jump out of bed each day.
- We differentiate with innovative activities to encourage creative campers of every age + gender to stretch.
- We believe in campers’ abilities to make decisions, self-advocate and leadand invest in purposeful relationships with each and every child. Healthy social-emotional skills are modeled and our team provides the safety net even the most independent trapeze artist might sometimes need or want.
- We incorporate time outdoors in a way that captivates even the “do-we-have-to?†camper. If the weather and the activity agrees, we use the outdoor classroom .
- We celebrate our vibrant neighborhood of independent businesses and our network of experts to amplify learning, thinking and smiling.
- Summer camps are registered by the week. Single-day camps are made available at least one week in advance when space is available.
- Idea Playground camps are for ages 5-8 and Spoolhouse Rock camps are for ages 8-12. Ages are recommended- talk to us about your child. (We also offer a Leadership Camp for students in Grades 7-10. Click here to learn more about the application process).
Other Things To Know
- Mid-morning (and mid-afternoon for those campers enrolled in the Crafternoon program) wholesome snack is served. The workshop is planet-friendly and allergy-conscious: nut-free and/or gluten-free snacks are always available.
- Campers bring their own lunch. We break for lunch mid-day and campers are encouraged to pack lunches in reusable containers.
- Campers who attend through 3:00pm have the best opportunity to complete all we have planned for them (and learn about things like wavelength and stitch-length, capability and miscibility, automation and celebration, parallelism and pointillism, citizenship and artisanship… we can keep going if you want..)
- Register here or by clicking on any camp date. If this is your first booking with us. our system will take you through the steps of creating an account to make future registration simpler. You only need to add this info once and our system provides the features to maintain contact details, access receipts and more.
- Enroll for Crafternoons by choosing a single date or full week (listed on the Monday of each camp week). Crafternoons are also open to students not enrolled in camp when there is capacity (this is a great way for friends to stay connected over the summer). Pre-registration is strongly suggested.
Summer Camp 2017 Lay-Away Plans
Use these plans to begin saving for Summer. Each month credits will be added to your account so that you can use them when you’re ready. Want to save more? Buy another membership to add another increment (i.e. buy 2 of the $100/month membership to stash away $300/month).