2023 Summer Camps
Engage in hands-on activities led by experienced teaching artists in a professional studio environment. Our Summer Arts Camps feature fun, innovative, and creative camps for ages 2–15. Each week offers a new unique theme, encouraging campers to explore, create, innovate and problem solve while growing critical thinking skills and making new friends!
​
Scholarships Available
To apply for a scholarship please visit Scholarship Application
Ages 2-4
Picturebook Preschool Camps
Camps run Monday-Friday:
9:00 AM-12 Noon
Snack is provided.
​
$155 | $145 Members (2023 prices)
​
Children’s favorite books inspire art projects, music, movement and theater games. Our youngest campers create in a nurturing and caring environment in our drop-off program that combines the art forms to promote socialization, early literacy skills and a lot of FUN.. Led, by Miss Becky, this camp has less transitions moving between spaces than the multi-arts camp, while continuing to provide access to guest Teaching Artists who join the group throughout the week for special activities. We also have playground and snack time too!
​
June 19-23, 2023
It Looked Like Spilt Milk, by Charles G. Shaw
June 26-30, 2023
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
July 10-14, 2023
The Day the Crayons Quit, by Drew Daywalt
July 17-21, 2023
Where Is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox
July 24-28, 2023
SuperHero ABC, by Bob McLeod
July 31 – Aug 4, 2023
Pete the Cat, by James Dean and Eric Litwin
Aug. 7-11, 2023
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
Ages 4-12
Multi Arts Camps
Theater, Art, Music, Movement, Playground, Snack time! New workshops and instructors under a different theme make every week something new to try. Our team of Teaching Artists are joined by Special Guests including: T-Dog (Tanya Turgeon), the team from Nolde Forest, and more surprises. AND, sharings are BACK! Families are welcome to join us on Friday’s at noon when our campers share snippets of their week’s adventures in music, art, creative drama and movement.
​
FULL DAY: Monday-Friday, (ages 5-12)
Activities 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Drop-off starts at 8:30 AM
Pick-up 3:30-4:30 PM
Full day campers should pack a lunch.
$258 | $248 Members (2023 prices)
​
AM HALF DAY: Monday-Friday (ages 4-12)
9:00 AM-12:30 PM
Drop-off starts at 8:30 AM
Pick-up at 12:30 PM
$185 | $175 Members (2023 prices)
June 12-16, 2023: 3-2-1 Blast Off!
Space awaits as we explore the skies through music, movement and artists such as, Van Gogh, James Whistler, Georgia O’Keefe. In creative drama we may meet a friendly alien and teach them our language.. Our space adventure is waiting in the stars.
​
June 19 – 23, 2023: Walking through Wonderland
Hold onto your hats as we as we dive into the magical world of Wonderland. A week of rhymes, silly stories, creative movement, song, painting roses and (of course) the opportunity to make your own fabulous hat: perfect to wear to the performance of Be Curious at the Heritage Center.
​
June 26-30, 2023: Art-venting: Young Engineers
Lead Teacher: Rich Houck
Like to take things apart and create something new? This is your chance to get messy and creative. Our young artists will take apart old mechanical devices, mix them together to make something inspired by a character you create or an environment you imagine.
​
July 10-14, 2023: What Is That?
Weird and silly is the theme of the week. Let’s be curious and explore together. Mix up story characters, paint a fish that hangs out with the man in the moon, play a cauliflower trumpet? Who knows what we will come up with!
July 17-21, 2023: Sticky Situations
Let the laughter begin. We will go through our own “sticky situations” both pretend – for example, acting out what to do when the ice cream machine is leaking – and in real life, using static to hold a balloon up or which glue works best. A week of experimentation and problem solving – with giggles, lots of giggles.
July 24-28, 2023: Bubbles to Blowfish
From bubbly art to under-the-sea adventurers, so much to dive into this week! Bubble watercolor projects, recycled art sea creatures – and chance to see a rehearsal of SpongeBob the musical (young audiences’ version.)
July 31- Aug 4, 2023: Carnival of the Animals
Lead Teacher, Nadia Pochan
Drawing from the music and poetry of Camille Saint-Saëns, we will create a new re-mix carnival of real, mythical, and imaginary animals. Poetry, Spoken Word, all genres of music will inspire how our animals move, what they look like and where they may have come from.
​
Aug. 7-11, 2023: Great, Big, Giant Art!
Lead Teacher, Andrew Pochan
Local muralist Andrew Pochan will lead the way as we think big! Participants will collaborate and design a mural to be on display at the Yocum Institute, in addition to their own large piece of art. When we aren’t painting, we will be inspired through stories we create, music and movement. Dress for MESS!
​
Aug 14-18, 2023: Mini Movie Making (ages 6-14)
Our movie makers learn what goes into making a movie as they create shorts with a film director. Created works will be edited and finalized after the camp and posted to Yocum’s YouTube page.
Ages 7-17
Specialty & Performance Camps
Older campers work with professional directors, actors, dancers, and artists to develop performance, writing, and/or artistic skills. These camps help to build confidence, collaboration, and creativity while working in a safe and encouraging environment. Performance and Teen Camps range in length (1 – 3 weeks) and many result in performances held in the Yocum Institute’s Schumo Black Box Theater. All camps are led by talented teaching artists and creative professionals who work in education and their chosen discipline.
​
Camp times and age ranges vary, please click the links below for details. Snacks and lunch are not provided.
Specialty and Performance Summer Camps
Performance Workshop: 10-Minute Musicals
Lead Teachers: Jeremiah Loubriel, Morgan Welliver & Theater Faculty
Ages 8-15
June 19 – 23, 2023
9:30 AM-3:00 PM M-Th, 9:30-5:30 PM F
​
Be onstage! Dive into developing believable characters however fanciful they may be. Working in a short musical format, pieces will be selected from scripted works. This workshop will have a strong acting focus along with developing a singer’s voice. Pack a lunch, snack, water bottle and a pencil. Public performance Friday, June 23rd at 5:30 PM
$230 | $220 Members
​
​
Let’s Get Ready! Kindergarten Prep
Lead Teacher: Marsha Gleason
Ages 5-6
Week 1 July 31 – Aug 4, 2023
Week 2 Aug. 7 – 11, 2023
Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM-12 Noon
​
Let’s get ready for the fall, in a fun and nurturing environment. Led by Marsha Gleason, students are introduced to the routines, learning, and fun that takes place in kindergarten. Stories, crafts, songs, and games will round out the activities with a focus on kindness, following directions, and the joy of learning! Each week will have different activities, sign up for one week or both. Marsha Gleason taught Kindergarten for 15 years at the Wilson School District and is thrilled to be part of the experience helping new kindergarteners feel excited and ready for school!
$155 | $145 Members
​
​
THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL: YOUTH EDITION
Ages 8-15
3 Weeks: July 10-30, 2023 + Performances
Monday-Friday, 9:15 AM-4:15 PM + performances
$495 | $475 Members
Ticketed Performances will be held July 28, 29, 30
​
Blend a performance opportunity with the skill building to improve any performance. Led by Andrea Hart, Guest Teachers and Yocum Theater Faculty, this popular in depth summer theater experience gives young actors training in voice, dance and acting while working towards putting on a fabulous production for the public.
​
About the Show
The eternally optimistic SpongeBob and his best pals are put to the test. The stakes are higher than ever, as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face the total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises up and takes center stage. (Can you guess who?) The power of optimism really can save the world!
The SpongeBob Musical is based on the beloved animated series created by Stephen Hillenburg and features a book by Kyle Jarrow, with original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alexander Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants and T.I., and songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny and Andy Paley.
​
Helpful things to know before registering:
-
It is expected that participants will attend every day of the program for the full time.
-
Actors will be responsible for, learning music, choreography and lines. Depending on the role, this may require time outside the program day.
-
No role is precast. Auditions are held during the first week of camp.
-
There will be two different casts (i.e. 2 Spongebobs!) One will perform Fri. July 28 at 7PM & Sat. July 29 at 3PM, the other will perform Sat. July 29 at 7PM and Sun. July 30 at 2PM.
-
Tickets are $15 for ages 3+, Show run time is approximately 60 minutes.
(*Please note: Memberships will be confirmed upon registration, no separate member discount code is needed)
Parent Resources
**Online registration ends the Wednesday before the start of a new camp.
Please call 610-376-1576 after that time to check availability and to register.**
​
CANCELLATION POLICY: Withdrawal from camp 10 days before start: full refund, 5 to 9 days: 50% refund, 2 to 4 days: 25% refund, after that no refund will be issued.
​
Picturebook Preschool Camp Information (Coming May 2023)
Multi Arts Camp Information (Coming May 2023)
2023 Medical Care and Release Form (Coming May 2023)
2023 Camp Withdraw/Transfer Request Form (Coming May 2023)
DOES “4 - 12 YEARS OLD” MEAN THAT MY 10 YEAR OLD WILL BE WITH 4 YEAR OLDS?
In short: Nope. Each week we look at the enrollment and divide everyone into smaller developmentally age-appropriate groups. We do our best to cap groups at 12 participants which allows for individualized attention. Groups travel with their aide to studio spaces to experience each art form.
WHAT TIME DOES CAMP START?
-
Multi Arts: Drop-off begins at 8:35 AM, camp activities begin at 9:00 AM.
-
Picturebook Preschool: Drop-off begins at 8:50 AM for 9:00 start time.
-
Specialty Camps: Drop-off and Pick-up differs between programs. Please check each for specifics.
IS CARE AVAILABLE BEFORE and/or AFTER CAMPS?
Please contact us directly. There is no official before or after care, but we are often able to work with you to support your need.
​
WHAT IS A “TEACHING ARTIST?”
The term “teaching artist” can be a broad term. At the Yocum Institute for Arts Education, we use the definition that many states use in the context of education: “A teaching artist (artist–educator) is a practicing professional artist with the complementary skills and sensibilities of an educator, who engages people in learning experiences in, through, and about the arts.” We choose our teachers and aides carefully based not only on their resume, but their ability to work with children and classroom management skills. We also, typically have them lead a sample class prior to hiring.
​
WHAT IF MY PLANS CHANGE OR MY CHILD GETS SICK?
CANCELLATION POLICY: Withdrawal from camp 10 days before start: full refund, 5 to 9 days: 50% refund, 2 to 4 days: 25% refund, after that no refund will be issued. In the case of an extreme emergency, please contact us. Although camp is non-refundable, if we are able to accommodate it, we may be able to transfer your child to another camps this season.
​
WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS SPECIAL FOOD OR BEHAVIORAL NEEDS?
We believe in creating a space that allows all children to succeed. Directors and staff will work with you to make sure all special needs of campers are met throughout the week, whether they be monitoring the snacks or monitoring behavior.
​
Please keep in mind, that if a child’s behavior is disruptive to the detriment of a group’s positive experience, we will discuss with you what alternatives are available for your child. In the extreme event that a faculty, staff, or camper is physically threatened by your child’s behavior, the camper will be asked to leave without refund.
​
DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNTS OR SCHOLARSHIPS?
Partial Scholarships are available to families in need. You must submit a scholarship application (available at the Yocum Institute or online) with your registration form noting which camps you are most interested in.
​
IS THERE A WAY I CAN I SEE WHAT MY CHILD HAS LEARNED IN CAMP?
We share photos from camp on our Facebook page at the end of each week.
​
IS MY 2-3 yr OLD REALLY READY FOR CAMP?
We believe that young children greatly benefit from our Picturebook Preschool camps and have positive learning experiences. However, we recognize that each child is different and we are flexible and patient with our youngest campers. We demonstrate this by providing a structure specifically based on age-appropriate practices. While the 4 – 12 Multi-Arts Campers travel throughout the building to different spaces and instructors, the 2 – 4 year old campers instructors travel to them to provide comfort, safety, and stability. And no, they don’t have to be potty trained!
​