Children's Activities

Children’s arts activities are designed to be age-appropriate, educational and of course, fun. Families will receive detailed information upon enrollment.

Three & Four Year Olds: Morning Program
Diaper-free three and four year olds meet each morning from 9 a.m. to Noon. Activities include crafts, games and short walks around the campus. Water-safe children may also participate in afternoon swimming activities, supervised by our counselors and lifeguards.

Five to Eight Year Olds: Multi-Arts
From 9 a.m. to Noon each day, five to eight year olds will have three short (45 minute) classes in visual art, dance/movement and creative drama, all taught by experienced professional educators. Afternoons consist of recreational activities and games led by our children's counselors.

Nine to Fourteen Year Olds: Focused Arts
Children 9-14 have the option to be involved in a full or half day of focused arts activities. During the 9 a.m.-Noon slot, children 9-14 choose one of three options as their visual arts focus for the week. In past summers these options have included painting & drawing, photography, bear-making, ceramic sculpture and handmade books. During the afternoons, children can choose a performing arts option such as Musical Theatre or West African Music and Dance, or can participate in the counselor-led recreation program. All Focused Arts activities are taught by experienced artist-teachers. (Children 15 years and older may participate in Family Camp activities as teenagers or as adults.)

Adult Activities
Adults can plan to be as busy as they wish to be. An extensive offering of classes is available to interested participants, along with the possibility of enrolling in selected Summer Program Adult and Native American Arts courses at no or minimal extra cost. Although course offerings and availabilities vary from year to year, Family Camp participants will have a broad selection of arts activities from which to choose.

In 2007, the following arts classes were available to
Family Camp adults:

Ceramics
Digital Photography
Fiction/Non Fiction Workshop
Folk Instruments & Wooden Spoons
Gourd Baskets
Memoirs & Memories
Music Appreciation
Navajo Weaving
Organic Printmaking
Papermaking & Handmade Books
Pine Needle Baskets
San Ildefonso Pottery
Stone Carving
Watercolor
Yoga

We also have two dozen practice rooms equipped with fine pianos for your playing pleasure.
Although many Family Camp participants choose to fill their time with as many stimulating activities as there are hours in the day, Family Camp offers parents, grandparents and other adults time to relax while the children are busily engaged in exciting and meaningful arts classes. Feel free to relax in the shade of a mighty oak tree with your favorite book, or nap in the quiet solitude of your room. In the village of Idyllwild, a one and one-half mile stroll from the campus, charming shops and stores abound, offering a range of hand-crafted gifts and keepsakes.

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Staff
In addition to our excellent year-round staff, 50 summer staffers, college students and recent graduates, will serve you during your stay. You can be sure that these young people are among the most outstanding and creative in our country today. They are selected on the basis of their experience working with children and in the arts, both as teachers and performers.

General Information
Please note: Family Camp runs from Noon Saturday to Noon Friday. Friday lunch is included. Room check-out time is 11 a.m. Friday.

Reservation requests for partial stays are not accepted.
Rates cannot be adjusted for family members arriving late, leaving early or missing meals.

Fees include all lodging, meals and activities. Bookstore, snack bar and staff gratuity are not included.


2008 Family Camp Rates

One-Room Option
Two People - $1850
Three People - $2655
Four People - $3050

Two-Room Option
Up to Six People - $3850

Payment & Cancellation Policy
Because we are limited in the number of families, a non-refundable $500 deposit is required to reserve space. 50% of the remaining fee is payable 60 days before your session begins. The balance is due 30 days prior to your arrival. Reservations requested less than 60 days before a session begins require half of the total fee to reserve space. Cancellations received in writing more than 30 days before your session forfeit only the deposit; less than 30 days forfeit the entire fee, unless we are able to fill your space.

Discounts and credits for the Summer Program do not apply to Family Camp.

There is no financial aid for Family Camp.