Summer camp holds a special spot in the hearts of many children. They provide a unique place for campers to explore, learn, and create in a supportive and fun environment. One aspect that adds an extra touch of magic to summer camps are art centers. These hidden gems, often tucked away in the woods, offer a plethora of artistic activities to inspire creativity and relaxation.
In today’s post, we’d like to share some of the benefits of having an art center at your summer camp. We’ll also showcase a few amazing art centers at some of the camps we’ve worked with along the way.
Art centers are undoubtedly an essential component of summer camps and serve as havens where campers can unleash their creative spirit and find solace. It’s in these inspiring spaces that young campers can feel empowered to explore their artistic potential, nurture their confidence, and build valuable life skills.
Art centers can also help campers:
As you can see, art enriches the lives of children in profound ways. Whether through painting, drawing, sculpting, or other artistic mediums, children can create and share art with fellow campers and experience a sense of achievement.
Now that you know the benefits of having an art center, let’s take a look at various summer camps with dedicated spaces for art, what makes them unique, and how you can draw inspiration from them. We hope these examples inspire you to envision an art center that captures the essence of your camp.
The first art center we’d like to showcase is by our friends at URJ Camp Harlam in Pennsylvania.
What we love most about Harlam’s camp is that they aren’t afraid of their art center becoming splattered with paint. You’ll see campers’ artwork strung across every wall and window.
Not only is this area spacious, but it also has a porch that gives campers the option to paint or draw outside.
As you can see, they’ve filled their space with plenty of tables and have a wide selection of bins for art supplies, aprons, and materials.
Look closely and you’ll even find an area dedicated to sewing—a valuable skill many kids may not have tried before.
A recently completed master plan proposes expanding the arts program through the center of camp to provide better exposure.
Next up is a small but quaint art center located in Washington—Lazy F Camp and Retreat Center.
If you’re hesitant to dedicate a space as an art center, take this camp as the perfect example. No matter how big or small, having an area where kids can go to relax and create art makes your camp more desirable.
The walls of this space are covered with drawings and camper names, like one big scrapbook.
Another aspect we love is that they offer art and crafts with simple instructions so kids can come and go as they please without needing special assistance.
Located in North Carolina, Camp Tekoa Foothills doesn’t just have an extensive art center, but they also invite campers to create art both inside and outside.
Campers are encouraged to paint the outer walls of the art center. This unique idea makes the center stand out and acts as an open invitation to participate.
It also encourages teamwork, collaboration, and creativity among campers—a great way to make new friends and enjoy the outdoors.
Last but not least is Twinlow Camp and Retreat Center, located in Idaho.
This charming space is a perfect example of a small but intimate art center nestled in the woods. It offers a quiet setting for campers to immerse themselves in their artistic pursuits and connect with others.
We appreciate how organized this art center is—a challenge for any camp that offers one. Labeled bins and built-in shelves help keep supplies tucked away and make it easy for artists to find what they need.
As shown, art centers are an essential component of summer camps.
Whether your art center is built from scratch or transformed from an old building, these spaces provide a safe place for kids to express creativity, collaborate with others, and build confidence while practicing valuable skills.
So how will you make art accessible at your summer camp?
