Lights, camera, animate! In this 5-day hands-on stop motion camp, campers take on the roles of director, set designer, animator, and sound engineer as they build original stop-motion short films entirely from scratch. Working with clay, cardboard, paper, and miniature props, students will construct sets, design characters, and master the classic technique of animating objects one frame at a time.
Campers will also explore the behind-the-scenes craft that makes movies feel alive: storyboarding, camera angles, lighting, and a Foley sound station where everyday objects become a full sound effects palette.
If time allows, the week closes with a Premiere Day celebration where students screen their finished films and reflect on what they learned about creativity, patience, and teamwork.
Notes:
- We teach proper tool usage and expect all campers to use the tools we provide. We use real hammers, nails, screws, and screwdrivers, as well as real HOT glue guns. We do not use cool-touch or low-heat guns, and we do not use protective hand-wear with our tools. Occasionally, campers get small burns or little bruises. This is part of the learning and making process.
What To Know Before Registering:
- We are a small, process art and STEM studio without outdoor space, though we incorporate movement, stretching, and dance during the camp day. Our studio layout shapes our scheduling, which is why camp hours differ from a full school day and why extended care is offered only within a limited window. Because we do not have separate rooms, students of all ages work together on the same projects. We design every project to be approachable for a 6 to 7-year-old while still engaging a 10 to 11-year-old. Older students can go deeper or add complexity, while younger campers benefit from observing and learning alongside them. As veteran classroom teachers with more than 30 years of combined experience, we see real value in this cross-age model. If it does not sound right for your child, please consider that carefully before registering, as we do not issue refunds for camps.
What You Will Learn:
- This camp blends project-based work with exploratory activities spanning art, craft, engineering, and technology.
Sample Daily Schedule (subject to change):
- 10:00 to 10:30 STEAM Project Workshop
- 10:30 to 10:45 Snack and Break
- 10:45 to 11:30 Process Art Activity
- 11:30 to 12:30 Outdoor Lunch Break and Movement
- 12:30 to 1:00 STEAM Workshop (continued)
- 1:00 to 2:00 Engineering and Exploration
- 2:00 to 2:30 Pick Up
