In visual arts, we offer: drawing (using a variety of media including charcoal, pastel craypas, pen and ink), general painting (watercolors, tempera, acrylic and gouache using a variety of painting techniques), portraiture, still life painting on canvas, pottery (using the wheel to create bowls mugs, vases and more), clay hand building (working with slabs, coils and modeling clay to  create original, functional and decorative pieces finished with glazes and stains); cartooning/anime; fiber arts (explore textiles and various ways of working with fibers as you design and create works of art both functional and decorative). printmaking (block prints, silkscreen & intaglio with plexiglass). sculpture (using a variety of media), maskmaking, bookmaking.

We also offer the following:

Fundamentals of Stained Glass (both hot and cold glass).  Campers will make a simple sun catcher to learn the process. They will also learn how to fuse and etch glass.  Once they feel comfortable they may pursue more difficult projects.  (ages 11 & up.)

Advanced Stained Glass: Continue to explore both cold and hot glass. Campers will create individually designed pieces such as a box, frame, panels and more with cold glass.  You must be comfortable working with the medium and understand how it works.

Mosaics: Campers will design an original glass mosaic and create it on a ceramic tile with cold glass.

Beading; Learn to create beautiful jewelry! Discover the basics to assembling & designing original pieces.

Bead Weaving: Learn the basics of peyote and right angle weave as you create original jewelry. Patience and tenacity is needed.

Intro to Metals: Learn the basics of metal fabrication and design beautiful jewelry. Learn a variety of techniques in working with copper, brass and silver wire, including how to do several cold connections.

Advanced Metals: Create original designs using the techniques of working with metal. Learn more advanced ways to work with copper, brass and silver, including how to solder metal, set cabochons, and do chainmaille techniques.

Sewing Fundamentals/Bag It!: Learn how to sew your own gym or beach bag. You’ll provide your own fabric to suit your taste and personality. You’ll learn the basics of how to follow a pattern and use a sewing machine.

Quilting: Learn basic quilting techniques as you create an original piece of art.

Advanced Sewing and Design: You will make a simple garment following a pattern. You’ll be given a specific pattern to purchase in your size along with the fabric. Then you may add embellishments to make it your own. You must be an experienced sewer who is able to use the sewing machine independently, and also follow the pattern directions. Proof of experience must be provided in a discussion with the directors or art director before camp.

Please visit our activities page to read more about our activities and see photos. We still have room in both sessions for summer 2012. To register, please download the camper application, and give us a call to let us know you’re sending it in: (561) 865-4330.

Please read my previous posts to learn more about how we handle homesickness, how to know if your child is ready for camp, and how we build character in kids at camp.

With our structured schedule, campers stay pretty busy at Maine Arts Camp, which is a great way to ward off homesickness. It usually affects kids more during down times like rest hour or bedtime.  We recommend for parents to forewarn their children that they might feel homesick at camp and let them know it’s perfectly normal.  Discussing it doesn’t make it happen, and if you avoid the discussion, you miss the opportunity to give your child your vote of confidence.  Remind her of other challenging situations she has faced in the past, and talk about some coping skills that proved to be useful.  Tell her you can’t wait to hear about all her camp experiences when she gets home.  Also, let her choose some items from home that might be comforting to bring to camp.  This could be a stuffed animal, photos of the family, or other meaningful objects.

As tempting as it might be, it is crucial not to tell your child you’ll come get her if she’s homesick. That shows a lack of confidence in her coping abilities, and she needs your support. Instead, encourage your child to turn to his or her counselors at camp for emotional support. Our counselors can usually tell if a child is homesick or upset, but it’s so much easier if a camper doesn’t feel the need to keep those emotions all bottled up inside.  Often times homesickness needs to run it’s course, which we find to be up to about three days in standard cases.  As I mentioned, it usually happens in waves that occur during down times, so the key is to keep those campers focused on all the wonderful activities they have to look forward to and help them make friends.  For some campers it helps to make a calendar with specific activities to look forward to each day.  After a few days, they realize the time is flying, and they still have so much they want to do at camp.

If your child is still pretty homesick after three days, we will call you to let you know.  We do this for a several reasons: 1) so you won’t be upset if you get a letter from your child saying he or she is homesick; 2) to ask your advice for the best ways to work with your child; and 3) to ask you to write encouraging emails or letters to your child. We might also tell your child we’ve spoken to you, and perhaps relay a supportive message from you. At that point, we’ll continue to keep in touch with you to let you know how your child is doing.  And of course, our counselors will be working extra hard to help your child conquer homesickness and become engrossed in all the fun of camp!

If you have concerns about homesickness, or want to discuss the possibility of sending your child to Maine Arts Camp, please feel free to call us at (561) 865-4330 or email info@maineartscamp.com.

Discussing and answering parents’ questions and concerns about overnight camp is an important part of  what we do, and it’s always very gratifying.  A common and important question we hear from parents who are new to the idea of sending their children away to camp is: “How do I know if my child is ready for sleepaway camp?”

From our experience we’ve seen that it could be at a different age for each child, even from the same family. It might happen at 8 years old, or maybe not till 11 or 12.  A good start is if your child is asking to go away to camp, but this doesn’t always happen. If your child’s friends don’t go away to camp, it might never even occur to him to ask about it.  If your child doesn’t bring it up and you’d like to explore the idea, go ahead and ask. If he or she is adamantly opposed to the idea, then it’s not the right time. However, if your child is at least willing to consider it, that might be the first sign that he or she is ready.

Here are some other questions to consider:

• Has my child successfully slept at a friend or relative’s home? If not, arrange a sleepover and see how it goes.  It’s important for your child to know what it feels like to be away from his own home even briefly, before trying a couple weeks or more.
• Does my child get herself dressed and ready each morning without much help, and then again at bedtime?  If you’re constantly reminding her to do things like brush her teeth or shower, you need to encourage her to take more responsibility with personal hygiene.  If it takes your child an unusually long time to shower or get dressed, practice speeding up on these skills before camp and forewarn the camp directors about this issue.  Parents have told us that going to camp has been a great incentive for their children to improve some of these skills.  As part of a community campers learn to cooperate so they don’t keep groups of people waiting.

Maine Arts Camp is small and nurturing, so our counselors make sure campers are taking care of daily needs, but the more independent children are, the better they feel about themselves.  A mother once told us that she has to brush her 11 year old daughter’s hair every day because it’s very long and curly. She asked if a counselor can do this for her.  I told her that a counselor can check to see that she’s brushing her hair and help her if she needs it.  It’s common for young girls to need help getting those tangles out once in a while.  However, I asked this mother to help her daughter learn how to brush her own hair before camp to assure a successful experience.

• Does my child know how to make his bed and clean up his room? This will be expected at camp, so it’s time to work on this if it’s an issue.  Most camps have room or cabin inspections, and it is not an option to have a messy space.  Many of our parents tell us their children are much better at cleaning up after themselves after camp.  More proof of how being a part of a camp community has a positive effect on a child’s behavior!
• How does my child do in social situations?  While many children are shy, especially when they are in a new environment, it’s important for a child or teen to have basic social skills before going to camp.  Most parents find that their child’s social skills blossom at camp, and they make a number of close friends. With the help of a caring staff, camp can be a great place for kids to learn to accept everyone for who they are, and to steer clear of negative behaviors like bullying and cliques.  If your child is actively working on specific strategies to improve social skills, be sure to discuss these with the camp director.  We have found this kind of input to be extremely helpful to us.

If your child wants to go to overnight camp, and you’re the one who isn’t ready, try to be open minded and gather information to understand the idea better.  We find that parents who did not grow up going to camp sometimes have a harder time with this at first, but they often become our biggest proponents after they see the wonderful effects camp has on their child.

If you’re still wondering if your child is ready for overnight camp, please give us a call: (561) 865-4330.  We’d be happy to talk to you on the phone about it, or try to arrange to meet with you.  We can also put you in touch with other families who can share their own experiences to help you envision your child enjoying the magic of camp!

Maine Arts Camp

Kids who come to Maine Arts Camp tell us they love being part of our small, nurturing community. It’s easier for many of them to make friends and improve their social skills in smaller groups, and they enjoy the personal attention in the activities. They also enjoy being able to be themselves and not try to fit into any mold. Many campers and parents tell us that they just find it a relief to get a break from competition for the summer.

The other day we talked to a parent of a new camper who said her child was so glad to learn that she’ll not only be able to choose her own activities, but do it before camp even begins. She had been a bit overwhelmed making these choices the first day at another camp.

Of course, kids who love the arts enjoy so many of our activies, but we have plenty of choices for those who aren’t necessarily artsy. Most of all, we encourage campers to try new things at camp and not worry about whether or not they’ll be good at it. One parent told us: “What I found is that you really provided a terrific camp that let our kids try a bunch of stuff and kept a safe place where they felt comfortable to try new things.”

Besides the activities, there’s the whole camp experience complete with making friends, singing silly camp songs, learning new games, doing evening activities and gathering around a campfire the last night.  These are the things that create the memories to last a lifetime. This is what camp is all about.

Friends at the Campfire

Recently, we were interviewed by parenting expert, Brenda Nixon, on The Parent’s Plate about shopping for camps. Brenda knows it’s never too early to start thinking about summer, and she provided her listeners with a variety of resources and a plethora of information. Camp director, Rick Mades and I were pleased to have the opportunity to tell her listeners about Maine Arts Camp and to give our advice on what parents should consider when shopping. The following are 10 questions to help you shop for a camp.

1) What is the underlying philosophy of the camp?
At Maine Arts Camp we focus on providing a small, nurturing community and offering a non-competitive program. We want kids and teens to know they have a place they can call home in the summer, making friends and focusing on activities they love.

2) What is the size of the camp?
We have a maximum of 115 campers per 2-week session. With these small numbers, everyone gets lots of personal attention in classes and in the dorms!

3) What is the experience of the staff, both lead staff and cabin/dorm staff?
We hire a a mix of teachers (both younger and more seasoned), professionals, recent college grads and current college students. Dorm staff (who live with the campers) are usually 20-28 years old, while the teaching staff and nurses are anywhere from their late 20′s to mid 60′s.

4) Is there a religious aspect to the camp? No, there are no religious affiliations or activities at Maine Arts Camp. We encourage everyone to be accepting of each other’s differences.

5) What activities are offered? Is the schedule elective?
We offer approximately 60 activities with a focus in both visual and performing arts. We also have photography, videography, technology such as robotics and rocketry, special interests such as cooking, creative writing, chess and more. Please visit our activities page on our website for a full listing.

6) How competitive is the camp?
We are non-competitive. We have no auditions, no applications to get into camp, and no team sports.  Not even color war!

7) How long are the sessions? If there are shorter sessions (2 weeks), what percentage of the campers stay for that amount of time versus staying for a longer session?

We have 2-week sessions at Maine Arts Camp. About 75% of our campers come for just a 2-week session. The others come for a combination of 2 sessions or they add on the Specialty Week at the end of 1 or 2 sessions.

8)  If the camp is coed, how social is the camp? Are there dances?
At Maine Arts Camp boys and girls are together in activities as part of daily life. We do not have dances or socials or anything that could potentially put social pressure on the campers.

9) What is the experience of the camp director?
Camp director, Rick Mades, has many years of experience in the camp industry. Rick has a B.A in economics (1983) and an M.A.T. in teaching (1990), both from TuftsUniversity.  Since 1994, he has run Camp Finders, a summer camp referral service for parents. This led him to eventually start Maine Arts Camp after learning there was a shortage of non-competitive camps with a focus on the arts in New England. Rick’s experience and love of camp is evident in everything at Maine Arts Camp, where he plays an active role in every part of camp.

10) Can I talk to references?
Yes!  Just get in touch with us, and we’ll be happy to pass these on to you.

Of course, there are many other questions you can ask, but these will give you a good start. For more on our answers to these questions, please give us a call! (561) 865-4330

Thanksgiving Care Package

With Thanksgiving approaching many of us are reflecting on our lives and feeling grateful for what we have.  It’s so easy to get caught up in our worries and to feel stressed out about every little thing. This doesn’t help anyone, let alone our own well being. It’s much healthier and more productive to focus on reaching out to others to see how we can be helpful.

I spent this past Saturday morning at the Caring Kitchen food bank in Delray Beach, Florida helping to distribute turkeys and boxes of donated food to families. I’ve donated a turkey to them the past couple years, but this is the first time I volunteered my time there. It proved to be a very worthwhile experience.

A total of 280 families were registered to receive donated food for Thanksgiving. These numbers have grown tremendously in the past few years. We saw about 100 families on Saturday, and more were scheduled to pick their food up on Sunday. I’ll also be helping to deliver food to homebound people on Thanksgiving Day.

As I drove up to the American Legion Building where the Caring Kitchen operates, I saw a line of people already waiting.  I wondered what they were thinking and feeling.  Upon entering the back door, I joined a friendly group of volunteers in a room brimming with boxes of food donated by members of churches, synagogues and other community organizations.  Program Director, April, gave us a rundown of the procedures, including viewing i.d. cards and collecting the tickets the qualifying families had picked up in advance. If they weren’t on the list of registered families, she said to send them to her.  And, if they only spoke Haitian Creole, the native tongue for some of the recipients, we should send them to Debby, a volunteer who speaks the language.

Sounded simple, but from my experience at Maine Arts Camp, I know that registration processes can sometimes get overwhelming, especially if there are any missing forms or confusion. And while getting your child situated at camp is very important, imagine having to figure out how to sustain your family’s nutritional needs as well as a sense of togetherness and support on the holiday regardless of what is happening in your life.

As the morning proceeded, I couldn’t help but notice the cheerful and grateful attitude that almost every family possessed. Only one woman came in on the verge of tears, and she was quickly comforted by a hug from program director, April.  I could tell that the Caring Kitchen was truly a safe haven for many of these families, as well as for the homeless people who are fed there on a regular basis.  April explained that it’s demanding work, but it keeps pulling her in.  “Every time I feel like I can’t do this any more, I see someone out in the community who tells me how we helped turn their life around.”  That’s way too powerful to walk away from, she told me.

As I enjoy my own Thanksgiving dinner with my family in a few days, I know I will be feeling extremely grateful. I’m guessing I’ll be envisioning the smiling faces of the moms, dads, grandparents and children who picked up food from the Caring Kitchen, and I’ll be hoping their day is going well. Like any family gathering, I’m sure each one will come with a mixed bag of emotions  including the underlying comfort of being there for each other. And hopefully they will share a special warmth with the food on their table serving as a reminder that they live in a community who cares.

Making Friends at Camp

In a world where it’s easy to feel like a number, we think it’s important for kids to experience being part of a small, nurturing summer camp community.  At Maine Arts Camp we make it a priority to get to know all of our campers, starting with learning their names. Think of how powerful it can be when someone knows your name.  Ever walk into a restaurant or a store where the owner says, “Nice to see you again, Mr. Smith?”  You feel pretty special, don’t you?

As many people know, it can be difficult to remember names, especially shortly after you meet someone. For some people it comes naturally; for others it takes work.  I have to admit, I fall into the latter group.  However, I am willing to put in the effort, and it’s always gratifying when I learn new ways to do this.  One tool that has always worked for me at camp, is the one we use to help campers and staff learn each other’s names the first night. We play name games! There are so many versions of these games, and there’s a good reason they’re used at all kinds of team building events worldwide: they work! Usually you’re in a circle, and you take turns individually saying your name along with a word and maybe an action or object that people can associate with you.  As silly and corny as it may seem, the next time you see those people, you’re more likely to remember their names.

The problem for me at camp is that I can usually only get to one group’s name game. We’re a small camp, but we do divide up into dorm groups the first night to do ice breaker games. So, I might get a group of names under my belt the first night, but then what do I do? Well, there are always the name tags our campers wear around their necks on a lanyard so I can discreetly try to look at that when I’m talking to a camper, or when I see them from a short distance away. Another good method I’ve learned is to take the class rosters with me the first few days of camp as I check in on the activities. That way if I go into an art class or a dance, theatre or cooking class, I can connect the names with the faces in small groups, which is always easier to digest than when everyone is together.

As camp director, Rick, and I both proceed with our methods of learning campers’ names in the early days of each camp session, we try to have fun with it, too. When we’re in those larger group situations, such as in the dining hall or at free time, we start to quiz each other to see who knows which name.  Sometimes we can even share some great hints to associate a camper with their name.  Other staff who we eat meals with can be very helpful to us during these times since they see the campers in their activities every day and learn those groups of kids’ names quickly.

A great reinforcement for learning and remembering camper names happens on the days when all our campers have to hand in a letter they’ve written to their parents as their ticket to get into dinner. Rick and I sit outside the dining hall with a complete list of camper names, and we check them off as they hand in their letters.  We try to remember their names without peaking at their nametag or the address on the envelope they’re handing us.  It’s very satisfying when we can successfully do this!

Of course, learning the campers’ names is just the tip of the iceburg.  Truly getting to know each child and teen as a person is what counts, and that happens on so many levels at Maine Arts Camp.  Our staff get to know our campers very well, especially if they live in their dorm or teach them in activities.  Parents can attest to this by the very personal letters they receive from a counselor, telling all about their child’s experience at camp.  Getting to know everyone is an intentional part of the culture at Maine Arts Camp.  Because we limit our enrollment to a maximum of 115 campers per session, each one receives a lot of personal attention.  This might mean improved skills in painting, pottery or dance class, or it might mean success in working through an issue with making friends.  Regardless, it means improved self-esteem and a successful summer camp experience.

To see our 2012 rates and dates, please visit our website: www.maineartscamp.com. To find out if we might be a good fit for your child or teen, please give us a call! (561) 865-4330.

Holiday Baking at Summer Art Camp

We talk to many families throughout the year trying to learn what they are looking for in a summer program. Some of these are our current families, and many are prospective campers and their parents. Since our campers come from all over the country, as well as a few internationals, many of these conversations are on the phone and by email. However, the most enjoyable ones are the face-to-face meetings.

Next weekend we’ll be holding information sessions in the Boston suburbs, specifically in Chestnut Hill and Danvers, Massachusetts. We do this several times a year, and we look forward to these face-to-face meetings with families. It’s always interesting to see the family dynamics and learn about the children and teens looking at our summer arts camp. There are so many summer programs for kids and teens, and it’s important to find the right fit for each child.

Maine Arts Camp is unique because we are a small, nurturing overnight camp with only about 115 campers per 2-week session. We are non-competitive, which means we have no team sports for one thing. That in itself is enough to attract many creative kids and teens. When kids walk into our information sessions to talk to us, see photos, and meet other potential campers, it’s not unusual for them to be a little shy. However, underneath it all, we can see them brimming with excitement over the prospect of doing so many creative summer activities at our camp.

While you might be gearing up for Thanksgiving at this point, keep in mind that summer rolls around before you know it!  Now is the perfect time to shop for a summer program where your kids can make friends, build their self esteem, learn new activities and have fun! If you’re in the Boston area, please consider attending one of our information sessions. We’d love to meet you face-to-face!

MAINE ARTS CAMP INFORMATION SESSIONS
1) DANVERS
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Stop by between 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Residence Inn
51 Newbury Street
Danvers, MA, 01923

2) CHESTNUT HILL, MASSACHUSETTS
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Stop by between 1:00 – 4:00 pm
The Farm Condominiums
99 Florence St.
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
(Call for directions: 561-865-4330)

If you have any questions or would like a brochure and DVD, please give us a call:
(561) 865-4330. If you’re in the Boston area, please stop by to meet us!

Boys & Girls in Ballet at Summer Camp

A week ago, I was in New York City partaking in a “girls’ getaway” weekend with friends from high school. Being with old friends brought back many sweet memories, and reinforced the importance of those lifetime friendships–just like those made at camp. Being in New York City of course invigorated me and awakened many creative and cultural inspirations, but none as much as seeing the musical, Billy Elliot.

As my friends and I debated about what Broadway show to see while we were in New York, I was invariably pulled towards Billy Elliot. I had already seen the movie and loved the story of this working class British boy who strayed from his boxing lessons into a ballet class filled with girls.  What a shock to him and to his family as he learned that dancing was his calling in life.

“It’s a feeling that you can’t control,” sings Billy in the song, Electricity.  “I suppose it’s like forgetting, losing who you are. And at the same time something makes you whole. It’s like that there’s a music playing in your ear, and I’m listening and then I disappear. And then I feel a change, and suddenly I’m flying, flying like a bird. Like electricity sparks inside of me, and I’m free!”

As Billy struggles with what’s acceptable and expected of him, his family and community are struggling with the effects of the UK miners’ strike. Billy, who is hurting from so many things including the death of his mother, discovers that dancing makes him feel alive. “I don’t want a childhood,” he says. “I want to be a dancer.”

Unfortunately, there are many preconceived notions that children must face when they choose to pursue an interest that’s not typical amongst their peers. “Just because I like ballet doesn’t mean I’m a poof, you know,” exclaims Billy as he defends his passion. It’s so important for children and teens to find a place where they feel accepted for being who they are. There are always boys in our dance classes at Maine Arts Camp, and we love watching them soar like Billy Elliot!

For me, an irresistible aspect of the show was the music composed by Elton John. He’s been one of my favorite artists for as long as I can remember, and in fact, his was the very first concert I ever attended back at The Spectrum in Philadelphia in the mid-70′s. He is quoted as saying something we strongly believe at Maine Arts Camp: “The arts can take you to places you never dreamed of.”

Interestingly, as I was preparing to write this blog, I came across a related blog entry in a group of parenting professionals on LinkedIn. Art education specialist, Cindy Wilkinson writes about being inspired by dancer Jaques D’Amboise, and his his National Dance Institute. Check out “Jumpin With Cindy” to read how she became inspired by this man and his mission to provide all children the opportunity to “experience the joy and power of the arts.”

Have you seen your child find joy in the arts? If so, please share your story in the comment section below. We welcome the opportunity to see your child’s joy blossom  at Maine Arts Camp, so please visit our site to see the diverse choices for creative expression and personal growth in our small community!