SummerArts for kids ages 8-11

​We’re gearing up for a fantastic summer full of all the arts. SummerArts Camp at Ross Creek is a program dedicated to fully engaging your child and giving them amazing new skills.

Far more than an ordinary camp, Ross Creek gives your child all the advantages of an amazing art program with the rec and atmosphere of a camp all on an incredible site overlooking the Bay of Fundy.

​With organic gardens and professional artist studios, for city kids from around the world or country kids from down the road, Ross Creek provides an unrivaled program.

At Ross Creek we provide an amazing art day taught by professional artists and a great camp experience for kids on our 178 acres of field and forest, led by our fabulous counsellors. Whether exploring the world of making, or make-believe, drumming or dancing, making movies, or making monsters on paper,  our camps have something for every kid! Kids get outside each day, and explore our gorgeous landscape as part of their program. 
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Our Intermediate campers have a choice of continuing with thematic weeks or beginning to explore a particular art form in more depth, learning from our professional artists and gaining new skills while still focussed on the creative exploration of the world, through the arts. 

July 2
A World of Colour!
Did you know that some clothes are dyed with bugs? And that you can make dyes with your spice drawer? Spend the day with Ian Funke-McKay learning about and experimenting with natural dyes, paints, and fabrics in this colourful workshop where you’ll learn about amazing ways to work with the colours of nature! A great workshop if you’re interested in science, colour, fashion, design, or soft-sculpture!
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Up, Up in the Sky! Birds, Planes, Rockets!
Learn from master maker Ian McKay! Make your own rocket ships and send them into space in a fabulous camp of design, physics and fun!

July 3
Comic Creations 
Draw your very own cartoon characters, creatures, animals and magical beasts. Using a variety of artist’s tools and materials, including pencil, pen, ink, paint and more, students will design funny faces, outrageous bodies and the many dynamic actions and unique stories that go along with these new characters. All with fabulous cartoonist Colleen MacIsaac!
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My Side of the Mountain
Outdoor adventure with Jamie MacLean!  Explore the trails and forests of Ross Creek, and learn from our amazing Jamie, who came to us from the Royal Botanical Gardens.  She’s full of fun and facts, and you’ll learn new bushcraft in a great day on the glorious grounds of Ross Creek!  

July 6-10
The World of Art!
Mix it up, in this wonderful week of art making with Elizabeth Sircom. Campers will get to try their hands (or get to the next level) at visual arts, from drawing to painting to sculpture. We’ll work in the studio, and in the landscape, even making art in and on our grounds, all while looking at what’s happening in art around the world!
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Sagas, Sails and Sea Monsters!
This fun-filled and adventurous week will be written about for years to come! We’ll draw inspiration from storms and stories of the ancient past through a magical blend of drama, creative story-telling, and art making with Colleen MacIsaac. Campers will create their own imaginative world in the studio, before venturing out onto the high seas! 

July 13-17
Manga Mania!
Students will explore the process of creating characters and comics with Elizabeth Sircom, from initial idea to completed publication. Have fun with penciling, inking and colouring your own story! If you’ve been to our comic programs before, you’ll get to the next level and be our superstars!
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Magizoology
Become a student of magical creatures, and learn about where to find them! We’ll work with Colleen MacIsaac and draw inspiration from myths and magical worlds and put these to the test in our own imaginative creations. Unicorns, dragons, prepare yourself for an epic week!  

July 20-24
Maker Camp
Imagine and make with Ian McKay! This hands-on camp is perfect for any young maker who wants to experiment with a variety of tools and materials to make things move, light up, and do other amazing things.
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Triple Threat Theatre!
Become a “triple threat”– acting, singing and dancing! Under the guidance of professional actors and Julie Thomas, campers will explore acting,  music, and dance. They will work on time-honoured musical theatre pieces, or make their own!

July 27-31
Fabulous Fashion
Learn (or become expert at) fashion drawing, and create clothing by combining fabrics, beads, buttons, lace, and other materials. Have fun with Maggie MacCormick, while learning to make your own wardrobes and accessories – includes cool activities to collect materials and inspiration!

August 3-7
Urban Art
Urban meets rural in this popular workshop! Design your own stencil, practice technical approaches to spray paint (with youth-friendly materials) all while learning  what it takes to create collaborative works of street art, positive graffiti, and public murals. We’ll create a unique piece that lives at Ross Creek for years to come, and build a sketchbook of ideas and tools to bring your ideas to reality with Bryson Chisolm.

August 10-14
Lights! Camera! Action!
Make a journey through film with Henry Colin, where students learn to write, storyboard, shoot, and act in a short film, all in one week! A great way to develop a love of film and to express ideas through the magic of movies! Last year, our students made a film about Willem Dafoe, and our instructor got to tell the REAL Mr. Dafoe all about it!

August 17-21
Animation Nation!
Try your hand at various styles and techniques of animation. Campers will work in small groups to create their own micro-sets and characters and bring them to life through the magic of film.

August 24-28
Art in the Third Dimension!
Explore the world of sculpture in this camp with the acclaimed  Elizabeth Sircom! With both provided and found materials, you’ll explore how to see the world of art in the third dimension and make your creations pop off the page!
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Maps, Myths & Mysteries!
Explore map-making and create new memories in this exciting workshop that weaves together stories, adventure, performance, and artworks that take you on a journey! Campers will collaborate on amazing creations while learning about curious codes and clues left behind throughout the ages.