Welcome to the beginning of a creative summer adventure at Cultivate's Summer Art Camp. With the start of camp just around the corner, it's the perfect time to ensure that our campers are primed for a season of artistic discovery and fun. While we supply all the materials needed for our campers to unleash their creativity, there are a few essentials that we recommend bringing along to maximize comfort and readiness for art-making.
Here's a streamlined checklist to help our campers and their families prepare for an unforgettable summer experience.
Essentials for Campers:
1. Water Bottle: Creativity flourishes when we're well-hydrated. Please bring a refillable water bottle each day to camp. Please remember to label this with the student's name. This is essential for staying hydrated as campers engage in activities and creativity.
2. Comfortable Clothing: Although aprons are provided, we recommend wearing comfortable clothes that you won’t mind getting a little messy. Art-making can sometimes be a splatter-filled, hands-on process, so choose outfits that are both comfortable and can withstand a few stains.
3. Closed-Toe Shoes: Safety is a priority in our art studios. Closed-toe shoes are required to protect feet from any spills or dropped art materials. Please ensure shoes are comfortable for movement, as creativity often involves dynamic activities.
Mental and Creative Preparation:
1. Visit Our Family Open Studio (Optional): If you haven't already, consider visiting our family open studio before camp begins. This can be an excellent way for campers to become familiar with the environment, easing first-day jitters and sparking initial excitement for the weeks ahead. It's held on Saturday mornings, from 10-12pm. It's always free, and no registration is needed - just drop in!
2. Experiment with Art at Home: We encourage campers to start thinking creatively even before camp starts. Experimenting with different art forms at home—be it sketching, painting, or crafting—can help campers arrive at camp ready to dive into new projects with an open mind.
3. Discuss Artistic Interests and Goals: Talk about what aspects of art excite your camper the most. Understanding their interests can help them get the most out of the camp experience, whether they're drawn to painting, sculpture, digital art, or any other medium we explore.
4. Embrace a Mindful Approach to Art: Remind campers that art is a process of exploration and expression. Encouraging a mindset that views 'mistakes' as part of the creative process can make for a more enriching and stress-free experience.
5. Come Early! We recommend that students arrive 15 minutes before class to get acclimated to the space, get set up, and start talking with the fellow students.
By ticking off these simple preparations, our campers will be set for a summer filled with creativity, learning, and growth. At Cultivate, we're committed to fostering a supportive and inspiring environment where every young artist can explore their creativity and develop their artistic skills. We can't wait to welcome our campers and embark on this exciting journey of artistic discovery together.