Summer Camp Art
I have spent over 12 summers running different summer camp art programs, including summer camp art programs for elementary age kids, as well as preschool age kids. You will want to check out how to run a summer camp art program successfully in this blog post. I am sharing all of my tips with you so if you are planning a summer camp art program check out!
Summer Camp Art
How to Run a Successful Summer Art Program
Planning a summer camp art program and making it successful. It really helps to make some key decisions. This will help you better plan and execute a successful summer camp art program.
Key Considerations:
The location of the summer camp- You can run a day camp program and rent a space at your local community centre or library
What are the ages of the kids?
What are the hours of the camp?
Are you providing food or are the kids packing their own lunches and snacks?
How many staff do you need to run the camp? What are the ratios of a staff member to a camper? This will depend on where you live as well as the age of the kids.
What does a typical day at camp look like or what is the schedule for the day?
Fun Ideas:
Summer camp art programs are all about fun so it helps to think of some fun and creative ideas. There are a lot of different summer camps and other summer art programs out there so parents might have a difficult time deciding which summer art program. Their kid should be signed up for so to make your summer camp art program stand out. You will want to think of some fun ideas that are different than what everyone else is doing.
Not sure what art projects to do? - Check out my list of summer art ideas -here!
Themes:
Having a clear theme for your summer camp, art program will help differentiate and make your summer camp stand out. You can create a daily theme wear each day of the week. There is a different theme and all of the activities, crafts and games are going to relate to that theme or you can have a weekly theme where all of the games, crafts and activities are relating to that theme for the week.
When choosing a theme, you want to choose a general theme that's going to have a lot of ideas for what you want to create for example, animals or under the water. Those are good general themes because there's lots of different activities, games and crafts that you can come up with that are related to that theme.
It's also good to take a look at different trends. What trends are trendy and popular for that age group of the summer camp art program that you are running this will help to make your summer camp art program more successful and popular because kids will want to go to that particular day, camp or weekly theme.
Art Activity Choice:
With a summer camp art program you want to make sure that the art activity really stands out and is highlighted when you are advertising and creating your promotional materials. This is why your summer day camp will stand out because there is an art focus: the kids are creating something each day and they'll be able to take their projects home at the end of the day or at the end of the week whatever you decide.
It's good to think of creative art activities that they might not be necessarily exposed to at school you can think of art supplies that are a little bit more expensive or special such as acrylic, painting, tie-dye, cyanotypes, natural dye, printmaking, air dry clay. Think about what will make your summer camp art program unique.
You also want to highlight the educational value that your summer camp art program will bring where you are sharing your expertise as a teacher, or trained artist, and sharing about the knowledge skills and techniques that the children will walk away from after participating in your summer camp art program.
Overplan:
It is really good to over plan your summer camp program. Do you want to think of activities crafts or art projects that kids can do if they finish early you want to make sure that you are properly training your staff if you are hiring any other staff to assist you and you want to make sure that everyone is on the same page everyone has copies of the schedule, and everything is as organized and prepared in advance.
It's a great idea to have examples of the projects that are going to be made so that you can photograph them and use them for advertising and marketing purposes but you can also show the kids and use it to explain and show the kids what they will be doing and how they will create whatever they are making.
Check out the list of activities I have linked below to keep as time filers.
You can also begin to create a list of all the different art materials that you will need to purchase and create a budget for how much you are going to spend on these materials. Once you know the cost of materials, you'll be able to incorporate that cost into the price of your day camp.
This will help you know what is your minimum number of participants that you need to sign up in order to run your day camp and have your summer camp art program be profitable.
How to Market Your Summer Camp Art Program
Print flyers and hang in town at local businesses (ask first)
Ask schools if you can send flyers home with kids
Advertise on social media (organic and ads targeting where you live)
Create a referral program or sibling rate (cheaper rate)
Conclusion:
There is a lot of planning and work that goes into running a summer camp art program. It's good to start that process early. It's good to hire help. Even hiring one assistant will make your life a lot easier. It's good to start planning your summer camp in the winter or the fall so that you have ample time to advertise and market your summer camp art program so that you have enough people to register and sign up for it.
If you have any questions - leave them in the comments!
