Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child attend camp all day instead of 9-12 or 1-4?
No. Our content is the same during our morning and afternoon sessions and repeating is not usually enjoyable for even the most dedicated artist. We do not offer full day camp at this time.
Your camp is held in a church, are you affiliated with the church?
We are not a religious camp- the church has the space and amenities we require for camp. Our lessons and activities at art camp do not have religious content.
Your summer camp is on WMU's campus, are you affiliated with Western Michigan University?
We are not affiliated with WMU. With that being said, we do occasionally take walks together on campus to get some fresh air and look at the beautiful outdoor sculptures! (Summer camp only.)
Are all ages grouped together?
All campers attend the same sessions regardless of age. This allows siblings to attend camp together more easily. We are careful to select projects that are both achievable for young artists and challenging for older artists. Campers may choose who they sit with, and older campers are free to sit together. We are considering adding an art camp session for older students and will do so if our enrollment numbers get high enough- tell your friends!
Is my child old enough to attend this camp?
We do not require a specific age for campers to attend, rather, our campers must have completed first grade and be enrolling in second for the following fall. This can often mean that five- and six-year-olds are too young for our camp.
My child has a nut allergy-- will he/she be accommodated?
We ask parents on our registration confirmation email to not send nut products to camp, and try our best to watch for them coming through the door. With that being said, the church where we hold camp does have a full kitchen and we are not in control of what they stock, so it is wise to send your child with an Epi-Pen or other necessary precautions. Both art camp teachers are CPR and First-Aid trained in the unlikely event that something were to happen.
A conflict has arisen and I have to withdraw my child from camp. Can I have a refund?
Full refunds are available until one week before the first session of camp begins. At one week prior to our first session we have already purchased most of our supplies, and so are only able to offer a 50% refund.
My child has tested positive for COVID. Can I have a refund?
Unfortunately, by the time our camp sessions begin we have purchased most of our supplies. Because of this, we are not able to offer COVID-based refunds once camp has begun. To acknowledge the difficulty of dealing with the continued impacts of COVID, if your camper is forced to miss time at our camp after a positive diagnosis, we will offer you advance registration and 25% off your registration rate for camp the following summer.
Does your camp have a mask policy?
We support any camper whose family would prefer they remain masked. We will not be requiring our instructors or our campers to wear a mask.
Do you offer scholarships?
We are the most affordable art camp in the area, and are cheaper than babysitting! Because our costs are at minimum to begin with we do not personally offer scholarships. However, Portage United Church of Christ has a few available from their "Love Fund." Please send an e-mail to us at [email protected] with the subject line "scholarship request" so that we may connect you. (These scholarships are not guaranteed, and are only currently available for the SPRING BREAK Mini Camp.) Additionally, several parents have sent their children to SUMMER camp using the Irving S. Gilmore Student Arts Scholarship: www.kresa.org/page/281
When should I register?
In the past, camp sessions have filled as early as THREE MONTHS before camp begins. Register as early as you're able! Check our website or email us if you're curious whether a particular session has openings.
Do you have a waiting list?
Each session has a waiting list. If you find out a session is full, you can request to be added to that session's waiting list. We will then call you one week before camp if we have openings.
Can my child attend with his/her friend?
We have buddies attend all the time! Please make sure to coordinate with other parents so that you all request the same session. It can be difficult to accommodate session switches because some sessions fill more quickly than others.
Are art projects the same every year?
We use two projects at summer camp every year-- weaving and paper mache masks-- because of their popularity. All other projects change from year to year based on supply availability and what's new and fun! Spring break projects will be different from summer.
No. Our content is the same during our morning and afternoon sessions and repeating is not usually enjoyable for even the most dedicated artist. We do not offer full day camp at this time.
Your camp is held in a church, are you affiliated with the church?
We are not a religious camp- the church has the space and amenities we require for camp. Our lessons and activities at art camp do not have religious content.
Your summer camp is on WMU's campus, are you affiliated with Western Michigan University?
We are not affiliated with WMU. With that being said, we do occasionally take walks together on campus to get some fresh air and look at the beautiful outdoor sculptures! (Summer camp only.)
Are all ages grouped together?
All campers attend the same sessions regardless of age. This allows siblings to attend camp together more easily. We are careful to select projects that are both achievable for young artists and challenging for older artists. Campers may choose who they sit with, and older campers are free to sit together. We are considering adding an art camp session for older students and will do so if our enrollment numbers get high enough- tell your friends!
Is my child old enough to attend this camp?
We do not require a specific age for campers to attend, rather, our campers must have completed first grade and be enrolling in second for the following fall. This can often mean that five- and six-year-olds are too young for our camp.
My child has a nut allergy-- will he/she be accommodated?
We ask parents on our registration confirmation email to not send nut products to camp, and try our best to watch for them coming through the door. With that being said, the church where we hold camp does have a full kitchen and we are not in control of what they stock, so it is wise to send your child with an Epi-Pen or other necessary precautions. Both art camp teachers are CPR and First-Aid trained in the unlikely event that something were to happen.
A conflict has arisen and I have to withdraw my child from camp. Can I have a refund?
Full refunds are available until one week before the first session of camp begins. At one week prior to our first session we have already purchased most of our supplies, and so are only able to offer a 50% refund.
My child has tested positive for COVID. Can I have a refund?
Unfortunately, by the time our camp sessions begin we have purchased most of our supplies. Because of this, we are not able to offer COVID-based refunds once camp has begun. To acknowledge the difficulty of dealing with the continued impacts of COVID, if your camper is forced to miss time at our camp after a positive diagnosis, we will offer you advance registration and 25% off your registration rate for camp the following summer.
Does your camp have a mask policy?
We support any camper whose family would prefer they remain masked. We will not be requiring our instructors or our campers to wear a mask.
Do you offer scholarships?
We are the most affordable art camp in the area, and are cheaper than babysitting! Because our costs are at minimum to begin with we do not personally offer scholarships. However, Portage United Church of Christ has a few available from their "Love Fund." Please send an e-mail to us at [email protected] with the subject line "scholarship request" so that we may connect you. (These scholarships are not guaranteed, and are only currently available for the SPRING BREAK Mini Camp.) Additionally, several parents have sent their children to SUMMER camp using the Irving S. Gilmore Student Arts Scholarship: www.kresa.org/page/281
When should I register?
In the past, camp sessions have filled as early as THREE MONTHS before camp begins. Register as early as you're able! Check our website or email us if you're curious whether a particular session has openings.
Do you have a waiting list?
Each session has a waiting list. If you find out a session is full, you can request to be added to that session's waiting list. We will then call you one week before camp if we have openings.
Can my child attend with his/her friend?
We have buddies attend all the time! Please make sure to coordinate with other parents so that you all request the same session. It can be difficult to accommodate session switches because some sessions fill more quickly than others.
Are art projects the same every year?
We use two projects at summer camp every year-- weaving and paper mache masks-- because of their popularity. All other projects change from year to year based on supply availability and what's new and fun! Spring break projects will be different from summer.