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 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.

Daily Schedule
Residential 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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, Junior Artist's 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.