Summer Camp
Summer Adventures Camp 2025
Ages 4 - 12
Campers must turn 4 by September 1, 2025.
Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate children younger than 4. Developmentally, children under age 4 typically need time to adjust to new routines and build relationships with caregivers, which is not possible in a summer camp context.
Schedule
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Extended day care may be available pending interest.
Week 1: July 7 - July 11
Week 2: July 14 - July 18
Week 3: July 21 - July 25
Week 4: July 28 - August 1
Week 5: August 4 - August 8
Week 6: August 11 - August 15
Week 7: August 18 - August 22
Description
Camp at Wheelhouse Creative Education Center is all about curiosity, creativity, and quirkiness. We cultivate experiences that nourish children’s hearts, making space for joyful relationships with themselves, each other, and the natural world. Located on a 9-acre wooded campus with an idyllic stream, we fill our days exploring the land, soaking in the sounds and smells of the forest, then transforming these experiences into creative expression through visual art, performance, scientific investigation, conversation, and activism in our classroom spaces. Our approach is free-thinking, emergent, and delights in each child’s uniqueness. Weekly themes serve as invitations to explore new topics, which evolve in myriad ways through children's contributions.
Themes may include:
The Life and Times of Native Flora
The Furry and the Feathered
Insectopedia
Water Ways
Who Lived Here?
An Ancient Sea
Forest Geology
Enchanted Forest
Rates
Our rates are based on a sliding scale, to provide as much economic accessibility as possible. Tier 1 spots are limited, so please be mindful of financial resources that you might be able to access when selecting the Tier 1 rate. You may self-select the appropriate tier for your family on our registration page.
Sliding scale rates per week:
Subsidized Rate: $385 Standard Rate: $435
Supporter Rate: $490 Sponsor Rate: $525
Sibling discount offered of 10% upon request - Use discount code SIBLING on our registration page
*** Through the generosity of the Dyson Foundation, limited scholarships are available for full-time residents of Greene County with income at or below 80% of local median income. Contact christina@catskillwheelhouse.org for more information.
Please note: Spots in each tier are limited.
Fee Guidelines (please self-select your rate after reviewing these suggested guidelines. Yes, you really just pick the amount you can pay! But please be mindful that the long-term sustainability of our programs depends on our community).
Tier 1 - Subsidized Rate: Recommended for households with annual income below $40,000
Tier 2 - Standard Rate: Recommended for households with annual income between $40,000 - $90,000
Tier 3 - Supporter Rate: Recommended for families with an income between $90,000 - $150,000
Tier 4 - Sponsor Rate: Recommended for families with an income above $150,000, or financial resources from other sources
*** Camp tuition fees are refundable minus a $30 administrative charge until April 1. After April 1, camp tuition fees are non-refundable except in cases of hardship. However, if cancellation occurs between April 1 - June 1, we can offer a 50% credit for future programs that is valid for one year. In cases of cancellation after June 1 due to extreme hardship, families may submit a request for a full or partial refund for consideration by our review committee.
*** If your tier is not available on the website, please email christina@catskillwheelhouse.org to join the waitlist.
*** Payment plans are available. To request a payment plan, please contact christina@catskillwheelhouse.org.
School Break Camps
February Break Camp: Arctic Explorations
In our forest, the world becomes quiet when the temperature drops. But what about places where cold has been a constant? How do animals and people thrive in Arctic environments, navigating the challenges of snow, ice, and freezing temperatures? This program invites participants to be imaginary explorers of these chilly landscapes and reflect on what they teach us about resilience and adaptation. As forest explorers, we will also consider what it means to be a responsible adventurer. Together, we’ll examine how exploration has sometimes been pursued unethically in the past and discuss ways we can engage with new environments, as well as our familiar unique and beautiful land, with care and respect.
April Break Camp: Reawakenings
Spring is a season of renewal and transformation, a time when the natural world awakens from its winter slumber. In this session, we’ll explore the vibrant changes happening all around us as plants, animals, and ecosystems come back to life. Through hands-on activities, storytelling, and nature walks, we’ll delve into the magic of new beginnings—listening to the songs of returning birds, observing budding trees, and discovering the first flowers of the season.
Inspired by the way spring has stirred the imaginations of artists and poets throughout history, we’ll also engage in creative art experiences. Using nature as our muse, we’ll capture the essence of the season through painting, poetry, and other expressive mediums. These activities will allow each child to reflect on the beauty of spring and share their own unique perspective on this season of awakening.
Join us as we celebrate the wonders of this awakening world through exploration, creativity, and connection!
Logistics:
February Break camp runs from Monday - Friday 2/17 - 2/21
April Break camp runs from Monday - Friday 4/14 - 4/18
Hours: 9 am - 3 pm
Ages: 4 years- 12 years
3-year-olds who are currently enrolled in Wheelhouse Community School may also attend.
Aftercare may be available upon request,
pending enrollment.
Sliding scale rates per week:
Subsidized Rate: $375 Standard Rate: $425
Supporter Rate: $475 Sponsor Rate: $525
Sibling discount offered of 10% upon request
Please note: Spots in each tier are limited.
If your tier is not available on the website, please email christina@catskillwheelhouse.org to join the waitlist.
Fee Guidelines (please self-select your rate after reviewing these suggested guidelines. Yes, you really just pick the amount you can pay! But please be mindful that the long-term sustainability of our programs depends on our community).
Tier 1 - Subsidized Rate: Recommended for households with annual income below $40,000
Tier 2 - Standard Rate: Recommended for households with annual income between $40,000 - $90,000
Tier 3 - Supporter Rate: Recommended for families with an income between $90,000 - $150,000
Tier 4 - Sponsor Rate: Recommended for families with an income above $150,000, or financial resources from other sources
Past Programs
New Program!
Broadcasts from the Forests:
Community Stories through Audio & Visual Media
We are beyond excited to announce our first Broadcast Media Camp
in partnership with Wave Farm/WGXC and local videographer Ryan Balas
Ages 8 - 14
Schedule
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
July 8 - 12 and July 15 - 19
***Participation in both weeks in highly recommended. If you are able to attend one week, please contact samantharosscwh@gmail.com to submit an exception request. Decisions regarding requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Extended day program may be available pending interest.
Broadcasts from the Forest has been developed as a celebration of the storytelling and artistic expression of tweens & teens. As we explore visual and audio media, the powerful narrative threads that emerge from child’s play will be empowered by handheld, digital media literacy and fast-paced production!
During this two week, full-day program, Kids ages 8-14 will learn how to tune in, record and present the small (and large) stories that emerge from our forest campus in Acra, NY.
This general introduction to the varied facets of making digital media and broadcast communication will be led by our Forest School Teacher, Chelsea Snider. Add the skills of storytelling, language arts, performance, technical literacy skills, collaborative communication, practical maths, and small-scale project management to your kids’ “wheelhouse” by joining us this summer as we playfully amplify spaces and stories normally left unplugged!
Broadcasts from the Forests will include a field trip to the Wave Farm campus, recording in their radio studio, time spent with cameras and shooting video footage, and a broadcast on WGXC!