Children's Arts Center (Ages 5-12)

The Children’s Center (ages 5–12 years) and Junior Artist’s Center (ages 11–13 years) are designed for students who are interested in a focused intensive experience in the arts in an atmosphere which is responsive to the emotional and educational needs of young children and adolescents.

The primary differences between the Children’s Center and Junior Artist’s Centers are that Children’s Center students are always in the company of a staff member, counselor or faculty member. Although supervised, Junior Artist’s Center students are afforded a larger degree of independence and choices, appropriate for this age group, of activities outside of classes.

Skilled and experienced artist-educators use age appropriate materials and methods to convey the excitement and discipline necessary for achievement in the arts. Students are given technical instruction mixed with strong encouragement to come up with creative solutions posed by artistic challenges. Instructors are chosen for their ability to work in a focused and supportive atmosphere with students of all backgrounds and abilities.

Students work hard yet never lose sight of the fun involved in their personal pursuit of artistic goals. Small classes and a low student to teacher ratio—approximately 9:1—ensure that students receive a great deal of individual attention and support.

An important goal of the Children’s Center is for students to gain an enthusiasm and excitement for the arts as well as a basic foundation of technical knowledge.

Daily Schedule-Resident Students

Children’s & Junior Artist’s Center classes run Monday–Friday from 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. and Saturday mornings, 9 a.m.–11:30 p.m.

Students meet at 8:30 a.m. at Bowman Arts Center for announcements, and walk with counselors to their 9 a.m. classes. Students have a one-hour lunch break plus morning and afternoon snacks. Healthy snacks are provided by the school.

The afternoon class session ends at 3:30 p.m. After classes students may return to the dormitory area for relaxation, participate in supervised activities or they may go to the swimming pool.

Saturday and Sunday afternoons are filled with recreational activities created by the Student Services Staff. Students may sleep in and rest on Sunday mornings.

Daily Schedule-Day Students
Parents are requested to drop off their children by 8:30 a.m. at Bowman Arts Center, Monday–Friday for Multi-Arts, and Monday–Saturday for Specialized Programs. All day students are assigned to a counselor.

Day students follow the same daily schedule as residential students. Lunch in the Dining Hall and snacks are included in the day student tuition.

Day students who wish to swim in the afternoons should bring a bathing suit and towel. Parents may pick up their children at 3:30 p.m. at the Children’s Center or between 3:30 – 5 p.m. at the pool. Idyllwild Arts cannot supervise day students after 5 p.m.

Recreational Activities
All residential students participate in an extensive program of recreational activities organized and run by the counselors. Game nights, short hikes, pool parties and dances are just some of the activities offered each evening from 7–9 p.m. On weekends, longer more extensive activities including art projects, informal drama productions, and field games are scheduled for Children Center students.

Student Pick-Up and Check-Out
Students are free to be picked up by their parents at the conclusion of their final performance or culmination, and after they have been checked out of their dormitory rooms by their counselors. In general, room cleanup occurs on the final Friday night before the end of the session.

Supervision
Students are supervised in the dormitories by counselors. Most counselors are college students or recent graduates with a major or strong interest in the arts. Counselors are rigorously screened and interviewed before being hired. The Summer Program receives approximately ten applications for every open position. Counselors are selected based on their experience and interest in working with young people, their character references and their interpersonal communication skills.

The Dean of Students organizes a comprehensive 11-day training and orientation session for all counselors prior to the beginning of the Summer Program. Topics covered during orientation include first aid, responsible counseling, conflict mediation, and
campus safety.

Counselors are the primary link between students and the Summer Program. Students can feel free to approach their counselors with questions, concerns, problems or just plain homesickness. Every effort is made to provide as much individual student-counselor contact as possible.

Housing
There are four Children’s Center dormitories, three girls dorms with four student rooms, one counselor room and shared bathrooms. Students are housed by sex and age. Girls are housed four or five to a room. The boys’ dorm is divided into two large rooms each with twelve beds. Two or three counselors live in each dorm. There are three girls’ dorms and one boys’ dorm.

Supervised by their counselors, students are responsible for cleaning their own rooms and the common bathrooms. Cleaning supplies and vacuum cleaners are supplied by the school. Students are responsible for damages to facilities and property. Idyllwild Arts reserves the right to bill students for repair and/or replacement costs.

Policy On Phoning/Contacting Home
Children’s Center and Junior Artist students are encouraged to contact their families via letter while they are in residence at the Summer Program.
Students may call home Saturdays and Sundays. Calls must be completed by 9 p.m.

Please note:
Students are not permitted to call home at any time from check-in on Sunday through Friday evening. This permits students time to acclimate themselves to being away from home and greatly improves the “Sleep Away Camp Experience”. Parents are requested to refrain from calling their children during this period. Parents may contact the Children’s Center Dean and counselors during this time to find out how their children are doing.

Meals
Meals are included in the fees for resident students. Idyllwild Arts contracts with SACCO food service. Meals are served cafeteria-style in the dining hall. Food is wholesome and prepared for the general taste. There are vegetarian options at every meal including a hot entree at every lunch and dinner. In addition, an extensive salad bar featuring fresh fruits and vegetables is available at all lunches and dinners.

At lunch, Children Center students eat a simplified (fewer choices) version of the regular lunch. Lunch is included in the day student fee. Day students may purchase breakfast or dinner at the door, if desired.

The school also offers a snack bar which operates on a cash basis. Sandwiches, snacks and soft beverages are available from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily.

General Information
Please visit the Registration and Student Life sections for additional information about campus location, transportation, suggestions for items to bring, discounts, credits, scholarships and the school’s Standards of Behavior.