Junior Artist's Center (Ages 11-13)
The Junior Artist’s Center is
designed for students 11–13 years of age 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 adolescents. Students enroll
in one course per session which becomes the primary focus
of their participation in the Summer Program. Students
are expected to attend every class meeting or rehearsal.
If a student is unable or unwilling to participate fully
in the program, he/she may be asked to leave the program
with no refund of fees.
Students have the opportunity to immerse themselves completely
in the course of their choosing during the Summer Program.
Instructors work in an age-appropriate manner with students
of all levels of ability and experience in a nurturing
atmosphere which stresses strong educational and personal
values along with outstanding achievement.
Students should be prepared to work hard and learn a great
deal. Small classes and a low student to teacher ratio
ensure that students receive a great deal of individual
attention and support. If a student feels the need for
additional help or instruction, he/she can feel comfortable
about asking an instructor for more time and attention
Daily Schedule
In general, Junior Artist’s Center students can
expect to be involved in course-related activities an
average of six hours per day, Monday through Friday or
Saturday. Individual course schedules vary according to
the needs and requirements of each discipline.
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 and
checkout occurs on the final Friday night before the end
of the session. Most students depart on Saturday. Students
whose final performance/culmination takes place on Friday
evening are welcome to stay until Saturday, and should
be picked up no later than 11 a.m. Students whose final
performance takes place on Saturday are requested to leave
on Saturday.
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, depending upon course schedules,
some longer, more extensive activities including art projects,
informal drama productions, and field games are scheduled
for Junior Artist’s Center students. Day students
are welcome to return to the campus in the evenings or
on weekends to participate in recreational activities.
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 by the
Director of the Summer Program and the Dean of Students
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 Junior Artist’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’s Center
students are encouraged to contact their families via
letter while they are in residence at the Summer Program.
The daily schedule contains a letter-writing/quiet time
supervised by the counselors from 12:15 to 12:50 p.m.
Counselors will be available to assist as necessary.
Students may use campus pay phones to call home Saturdays
and Sundays. Calls must be completed by 9 p.m. Students
are not permitted to call home at any time from check-in
on Sunday through Friday evenings. Parents are requested
to refrain from calling their children during this period
as the children will not be permitted to talk on the telephone.
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.
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.
