Specialty Camps

Summer Adventure 2022  – Specialty Camps

Our Summer Adventure Specialty Camps provide campers the opportunity to partake in an extra special camp experience!  Become a rockstar, experience the magical adventure of a fairy, unleash your inner Picasso, explore nature, and much, much more!

Please contact Summer Adventure at summer@woodstockdayschool.org if you would like more information.

Week 1: July 4-8, 2022

CATSKILL WILD EXPLORER
Instructor: Dorothy Varner
8:30am -2pm
July 2-8
Age: 8-12
Price: $470, includes a $20 material fee

Come join us as we laugh, play, learn new skills, and explore nature’s wonders this summer! Each day we will have a unique wilderness adventure as we explore the shores of the mighty Hudson River and the forested trails and views of the majestic Catskill Mountains. We will enjoy easy-to-moderate hikes at different off-campus locations where we will lunch by waterfalls, cool our toes in gurgling creeks, swim in life-guarded mountain lakes, create art inspired by nature, and explore fascinating rock formations. 

Locations might include (but are not limited to): The Esopus Bend Nature Preserve, Ulster Landing Park, The Comeau Property, Sloane Gorge, North South Lake State Park.  

Come join the fun! 

FAIRY AND ELF NATURE CAMP, JR. 
Instructor: Julie Cook
9am – 3pm
Camp 1: July 4-8
Age: 4-6 (Must be 4 years old by June 30)
Price: $465, includes a $15 material fee

Fairy Nature camp is open to nature-loving girls, boys, fairies, elves, pixies and sprites ages 4-10. This is a unique and nourishing camp experience celebrating nature and friendship through  the guise of fairies as symbols of joy who love Fairy Nature camp is open to nature-loving girls, boys, fairies, elves, pixies and sprites ages 4-10. This is a unique and nourishing camp experience celebrating nature and friendship through  the guise of fairies as symbols of joy who love to sing, dance and play, and who honor the earth, its plants, animals and peoples. Our days will be spent exploring and discovering along the  woodland paths, building fairy houses, making fairy crafts and nature potions, sharing in special  fairy traditions, and playing & working together in the true, kind fairy way — all in the name of  promoting a connection to nature, creativity and harmony. This delightful experience will be cherished by fairy and nature lovers for years to come.

Julie has taught Nursery School at Woodstock Day School for 15 years. Her love and passion for preserving the magic of childhood has inspired her to create this enchanting experience for young children.

Fairy Camp Jr Camp 2: July 11-15

ROCK JAM
Instructor: Peter Dougan
9am – 3pm
Camp 1: July 4-8
Age: 7-12
Price: $450

Rock Jam is an exciting and immersive week of playing music in an actual Rock Band! Campers will be spending the week having fun and preparing songs for a performance for the entire Summer Adventure audience at the end of the week. In between our rehearsal time we utilize the Summer Adventure campus to play outdoor games, eat a picnic lunch, and have a daily swim session at the pool. Some basic knowledge of an instrument required. 

Rock Jam director Peter Dougan has run the Music Program at Woodstock Day School for over 10 years. Peter studied Guitar at Ithaca College and Berklee School of Music. In addition to  teaching, he is an active professional musician who plays as much as possible, touring and locally, and is currently working on a record with his group the Mateo Dougan Band.

Rock Jam Camp 2: July 18-22, Rock Jam Camp 3: August 1-5

WAYFINDER MYTHIC ADVENTURE
Instructor: Wayfinder Staff
9am – 3pm
Camp 1: July 4-8
Age: 8-15
Price: $450

At Wayfinder summer camps, we teach a decades-tested core curriculum of theatrical skills, athletic play, and community awareness which is interwoven into a culminating Adventure Game – a chance for participants to explore imaginary worlds with new perspectives and new  identities. Over the years, our brand of fantasy role-playing has proven itself to be a powerful  tool for self-exploration, as well as for building confidence, empathy, communication and  leadership skills. Our unique programming demonstrates the power of respect and positive relationships, that there is cooperation even in competition, and that everyone is more capable than they think they are. 

Wayfinder Camp 2: July 11-15

Week 2: July 11-15, 2022

FAIRY AND ELF NATURE CAMP, JR.
Instructor: Julie Cook
9am – 3pm
Camp 2: July 11-15
Age: 4-6 (Must be 4 years old by June 30)
Price: $465, includes a $15 material fee

Fairy Nature camp is open to nature-loving girls, boys, fairies, elves, pixies and sprites ages 4-10. This is a unique and nourishing camp experience celebrating nature and friendship through  the guise of fairies as symbols of joy who love to sing, dance and play, and who honor the earth, its plants, animals and peoples. Our days will be spent exploring and discovering along the  woodland paths, building fairy houses, making fairy crafts and nature potions, sharing in special  fairy traditions, and playing & working together in the true, kind fairy way — all in the name of promoting a connection to nature, creativity and harmony. This delightful experience will be cherished by fairy and nature lovers for years to come.

Julie has taught Nursery School at Woodstock Day School for 15 years. Her love and passion for preserving the magic of childhood has inspired her to create this enchanting experience for young children.

Fairy Nature Camp , Jr Camp 1: July 4-8

WAYFINDER MYTHIC ADVENTURE
Instructor: Wayfinder Staff
9am – 3pm
Camp 2: July 11-15
Age 8-15
Price: $450

At Wayfinder summer camps, we teach a decades-tested core curriculum of theatrical skills, athletic play, and community awareness which is interwoven into a culminating Adventure Game – a chance for participants to explore imaginary worlds with new perspectives and new  identities. Over the years, our brand of fantasy role-playing has proven itself to be a powerful tool for self-exploration, as well as for building confidence, empathy, communication and  leadership skills. Our unique programming demonstrates the power of respect and positive  relationships, that there is cooperation even in competition, and that everyone is more capable than they think they are.

Wayfinder Camp 1: July 4-8

Week 3: July 18-22, 2022

FAIRY AND ELF NATURE CAMP
Instructor: Julie Cook
9am – 3pm
Camp 1: July 18-22

Age: 6-10
Price: $465, includes a $15 material fee

Fairy Nature camp is open to nature-loving girls, boys, fairies, elves, pixies and sprites ages 4- 10. This is a unique and nourishing camp experience celebrating nature and friendship through the guise of fairies as symbols of joy who love to sing, dance and play, and who honor the earth, its plants, animals and peoples. Our days will be spent exploring and discovering along the  woodland paths, building fairy houses, making fairy crafts and nature potions, sharing in special  fairy traditions, and playing & working together in the true, kind fairy way — all in the name of  promoting a connection to nature, creativity and harmony. This delightful experience will be cherished by fairy and nature lovers for years to come. Our day includes one supervised swim time. Come for one week or two!

Julie has taught Nursery School at Woodstock Day School for 15 years. Her love and passion for preserving the magic of childhood has inspired her to create this enchanting experience for young children.

Fairy and Elf Nature Camp 2: July 25-29

ROCK JAM
Instructor: Peter Dougan
9am – 3pm
Camp 2: July 18-22
Age: 7-12
Price: $450

Rock Jam is an exciting and immersive week of playing music in an actual Rock Band! Campers will be spending the week having fun and preparing songs for a performance for the entire Summer Adventure audience at the end of the week. In between our rehearsal time we utilize the Summer Adventure campus to play outdoor games, eat a picnic lunch, and have a daily swim session at the pool. Some basic knowledge of an instrument required. 

Rock Jam director Peter Dougan has run the Music Program at Woodstock Day School for over 10 years. Peter studied Guitar at Ithaca College and Berklee School of Music. In addition to teaching, he is an active professional musician who plays as much as possible, touring and  locally, and is currently working on a record with his group the Mateo Dougan Band.

Rock Jam Camp 1:  July 4-8, Rock Jam Camp 3: August 1-5

Week 4: July 25-29, 2022

FAIRY AND ELF NATURE CAMP
Instructor: Julie Cook
9am – 3pm
Camp 2: July 25-29
Age: 6-10
Price: $465, includes a $15 material fee

Fairy Nature camp is open to nature-loving girls, boys, fairies, elves, pixies and sprites ages 4- 10. This is a unique and nourishing camp experience celebrating nature and friendship through the guise of fairies as symbols of joy who love to sing, dance and play, and who honor the earth, its plants, animals and peoples. Our days will be spent exploring and discovering along the  woodland paths, building fairy houses, making fairy crafts and nature potions, sharing in special  fairy traditions, and playing & working together in the true, kind fairy way — all in the name of  promoting a connection to nature, creativity and harmony. This delightful experience will be cherished by fairy and nature lovers for years to come. Our day includes one supervised swim time. Come for one week or two!

Julie has taught Nursery School at Woodstock Day School for 14 years. Her love and passion for  preserving the magic of childhood has inspired her to create this enchanting experience for young children.

Fairy and Elf Nature Camp 1: July 18-22

Week 5: August 1-5, 2022

ART ADVENTURES
Instructor: Ippy Farnam
9am – 3pm
Camp 1: August 1-5
Age: 7-13
Price: $470, includes a $20 material fee

During our week together, we will explore various 3-D art forms. Our adventures will include mosaic madness, Andy Goldsworthy escapades, and ‘Heavy Metal’ which includes wire sculpting. Artists will use choice mosaic materials and learn that process from start to  finish. The 25+ acre Woodstock Day School campus is an incredible setting for Andy  Goldsworthy escapades! Goldsworthy let the earth be his palette. We will walk in the woods as our inspiration and look to make art from our natural surroundings. ‘Heavy Metal’ will be a mix of working with heavy aluminum carving and wire sculpture. We will take a look at the work of Alexander Calder and go from there. Ippy Farnam has been an art teacher for the past 20 years. She began her teaching career at the Woodstock Children’s Center in 1994. A resident of  Colorado since 1996, Ippy is currently making and selling art through several galleries across Colorado. Her main focus is mosaic skis and snowboards.

Art Adventures Camp 2: August 8-12

CAPTURE THAT!
Instructor: David Becker
9am-3pm
August 1-5
Age: 8-up
Price:$465, includes a $15 material fee
Required: Digital Camera (DSLR, mirrorless, or point-and-shoot) with memory card and battery charger.

Do you have a natural ability to “capture the moment” with a camera? Capture That! Photography Camp is great for campers with experience in photography or who are brand new to it. We will take trips to scenic locations around the area to photograph landscapes, people, and portraits while getting comfortable with settings of the camera and practicing composition.  Campers will be encouraged to find their own unique style and vision. The week ends with a  photography exhibit and all campers will take home 8″x10″ and 13″x19″ professional digital prints!

David Becker has been our media arts and photography teacher at Summer Adventure for 6 years. He is a graduate of New York University and a documentary producer and director. His  films To Be Forever Wild, about the Catskills Mountains, and The Wavy Gravy Movie: Saint Misbehavin’, about counter-culture icon Wavy Gravy, have appeared in film festivals, on TV and  on Netflix. David also co-founded Khusi Hona Woodstock, a local nonprofit that has led four  service learning trips with local students to India and Nepal. As co-founder of the Woodstock Day School media arts program, David has overseen productions that have been selected by the Woodstock Film Festival, the All American High School Film Festival, and others.

ROCK JAM
Instructor: Peter Dougan
9am – 3pm
Camp 3: August 1-5
Age: 7-1212
$450

Rock Jam is an exciting and immersive week of playing music in an actual Rock Band! Campers will be spending the week having fun and preparing songs for a performance for the entire Summer Adventure audience at the end of the week. In between our rehearsal time we utilize the Summer Adventure campus to play outdoor games, eat a picnic lunch, and have a daily swim session at the pool. Some basic knowledge of an instrument required.

Rock Jam director Peter Dougan has run the Music Program at Woodstock Day School for over 10 years. Peter studied Guitar at Ithaca College and Berklee School of Music. In addition to teaching, he is an active professional musician who plays as much as possible, touring and locally, and is currently working on a record with his group the Mateo Dougan Band.

Rock Jam Camp 1 : July 4-8, Rock Jam Camp 2: July 18-22

Week 6: August 8-12, 2022

ART ADVENTURES
Instructor: Ippy Farnam
9am – 3pm
Camp 2: August 8-12
Age: 7-13
Price: $470, includes a $20 material fee

During our week together, we will explore various 3-D art forms. Our adventures will include mosaic madness, Andy Goldsworthy escapades, and ‘Heavy Metal’ which includes wire sculpting. Artists will use choice mosaic materials and learn that process from start to finish. The 25+ acre Woodstock Day School campus is an incredible setting for Andy  Goldsworthy escapades! Goldsworthy let the earth be his palette. We will walk in the woods as our inspiration and look to make art from our natural surroundings. ‘Heavy Metal’ will be a mix  of working with heavy aluminum carving and wire sculpture. We will take a look at the work of Alexander Calder and go from there. Ippy Farnam has been an art teacher for the past 20 years. She began her teaching career at the Woodstock Children’s Center in 1994. A resident of  Colorado since 1996, Ippy is currently making and selling art through several galleries across Colorado. Her main focus is mosaic skis and snowboards. 

Art Adventures Camp 1: August 1-5

MEDIA ARTS CAMP
Instructor: David Becker
9am – 3pm
August 8-12
Age: 9-14
Price: $450

This is a great opportunity for campers who are new to media production and for those who already make videos on their own. Campers will create a series of fun videos while learning basic filmmaking concepts such as cinematography, lighting, storyboarding, and editing. All campers have a chance to use the provided cameras, learn how to edit using Final Cut Pro X, and have fun making movies! 

David Becker has been a media arts and photography teacher at Summer Adventure for more than 5 years. David taught Media Arts at the Woodstock Day School until 2017 and is currently the Media Arts teacher at the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York. David is also a documentary producer and director. His most recent production, Cracked Up, is currently on Netflix. David directed the film To Be Forever Wild, about the Catskills Mountains, and produced The Wavy Gravy Movie: Saint Misbehavin’, a film about counter-culture icon Wavy Gravy. David has led six service learning trips with local students to India and Nepal, during which students create media projects for nonprofit organizations.