Check out our Summer 2025 offerings below!
Camps are weeklong and run from Monday-Friday on the week that you choose, unless otherwise stated.
Registration Begins: FEB 25, 2025 at 9 AM for SAA Members. FEB 27, 2025 at 9 AM for Non-Members
How To Get Ready For Camp Sign Up:
Camps are weeklong and run from Monday-Friday on the week that you choose, unless otherwise stated.
Registration Begins: FEB 25, 2025 at 9 AM for SAA Members. FEB 27, 2025 at 9 AM for Non-Members
How To Get Ready For Camp Sign Up:
- FAQ and refund policy page is here. Please visit this page before registration day!
- SAA Members: after hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount!
- Camp age groups are based on the grade your child will be GOING INTO in Fall 2025. Please stick to those guidelines.
- After registration opens on February 25th, if your camp is filled, please sign up on our CAMP WAITLIST.
|
|
Edward Gorey's Apprentice, 3rd - 5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
June 2 - 6, 2025: 9 AM - Noon or 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM. Media: Ceramics. Mixed Media. Drawing. Painting. Fiber Arts. Sculpture. Campers will spend a week in the whimsical world of illustrator Edward Gorey (1925-2000). A native of Chicago, Gorey is known for his dark humor and dry wit. Though Gorey worked primarily in pen-and-ink, we will translate his style to many mediums. Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
Dig It!, 3rd - 5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members June 2 - 6, 2025: 9 AM - Noon, Edwards Place. This is a history camp. Your camper will learn about the principles and practices of historical archaeology, and then go out into the field to conduct an archaeological excavation in the back yard of Edwards Place! Camp wraps up with an exhibit of the artifacts recovered. Don’t miss this unique, hands-on opportunity! This camp is partly outdoor and takes place in Edwards Place’s 2nd floor classroom. Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
History Time Machine, 3rd - 5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
June 2 - 6, 2025: 1:30 - 4:30 PM, Edwards Place. This is a history camp. You will have the opportunity to go back in time and imagine what it was like to live at Edwards Place in the 19th century. Themes to be explored include Home Life, School, Chores, Manners, and more. Enjoy fun activities such as making butter, playing 19th century games, and dipping candles. Campers will have the opportunity to learn and play inside Historic Edwards Place. This camp is partly outdoor and takes place in Edwards Place’s 2nd floor classroom. Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
|
Heesoo Lee's Apprentice, 3rd-5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
June 9 - 13, 2025: 9 AM - Noon or 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM. Media: Ceramics. Mixed Media. Drawing. Painting. Fiber Arts. Sculpture. Contemporary Ceramicist Heesoo Lee creates functional and sculptural pieces inspired by the textures and patterns of the natural world. We will spend the week making ceramics, watercolor paintings, and drawings in homage to Lee's style. Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
Civil War Encampment, 3rd - 5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
June 9 - 13, 2025: 9 AM - Noon or 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM, Edwards Place. This is a history camp. This camp takes kids back to the 1860s to learn some of the skills that soldiers learned during the Civil War. Learn about battles, 19th century medical aid, what soldiers did outside of battles, and more. This camp is immersive and participatory and is partly outdoor. It takes place in Edwards Place's 2nd floor classroom. Camp Size: 12 (Children will learn about civil war era weapons.) SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
|
Hokusai's Apprentice, 3rd - 5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
June 9 - 13, 2025: 9 AM - Noon or 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM. Media: Ceramics. Mixed Media. Drawing. Painting. Fiber Arts. Sculpture. Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) was a Japanese artist most famous for his series of prints depicting the iconic Mount Fuji. Campers will take inspiration from his prints, such as "The Great Wave off Kanagawa", to create both 2D and 3D artworks. This week sure to bring waves of creativity! Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
|
Louise Bourgeois' Apprentice, 3rd - 5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
June 16 - 20, 2025: 9 AM - Noon or 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM. Media: Ceramics. Mixed Media. Drawing. Painting. Fiber Arts. Sculpture. Louise Bourgeois (1911-2010) was a French-American artist who created fiber arts and sculptures larger than life! Her mathematical studies inspired intricate line drawings and geometric embroidery. Campers will look at her surreal spider sculptures and fiber arts books to create in a variety of media. Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
|
Jim Henson's Apprentice, 3rd - 5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
June 16 - 20, 2025: 9 AM - Noon or 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM. Media: Ceramics. Mixed Media. Drawing. Painting. Fiber Arts. Sculpture. It's time to play the music! It's time to light the lights!... Jim Henson (1936-1990) created some of the most memorable characters in television and movie history. From the Muppets to Star Wars and The Dark Crystal, Henson's work has inspired audiences of all ages. Campers will look to the "Henson-verse" to bring their imaginings to life! Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
Celebrate Illinois' Black History!, 3rd - 5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
June 16 - 20, 2025: 9 AM - Noon or 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM, Edwards Place. This is a history camp. This camp teaches about the African American community in Springfield and Illinois, primarily in the 19th century. Throughout the week, campers will learn about important people in history who’ve made a lasting impact on our community. Campers will participate in activities about historical occupations, cultural achievements, and daily life in 19th century Illinois. This camp takes place in Edwards Place’s 2nd floor classroom. Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
|
Yuko Yamaguchi's Apprentice, 3rd - 5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
June 23 - 27, 2025: 9 AM - Noon or 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM. Media: Ceramics. Mixed Media. Drawing. Painting. Fiber Arts. Sculpture. Yuko Yamaguchi is a contemporary Japanese designer best know for her work stylizing one famous cat! She has spent decades working to define a timeless character. We will spend the week taking note from Yuko's work and design our very own iconic character! Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
Eureka!, 3rd-5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
June 23 - 27, 2025: 9 AM - Noon, Edwards Place. This is a history camp. Technology didn’t begin with the internet or even the industrial age. Historical tech includes much more! Campers will learn about inventions and gadgets from a long range of history, up to creating industrial-type technology themselves. Projects will include household remedies, ancient tech, toothpowder and soap, engineering design, and more! This camp will take place in Edwards Place’s 2nd floor classroom. Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
Dream Weaver, 3rd - 5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
June 23 - 27, 2025: 9 AM - Noon, July 7 - 11, 2025: 9 AM - Noon, July 14 - 18, 2025: 9 AM - Noon, Edwards Place. This is a history camp. This is an opportunity for campers to learn basic weaving terminology, how to design patterns, how to select colors, and how to use both sizes of metal hand looms. Campers will be able choose among a number of projects such as a carry bag, trivet/potholder, place mat, and the wildly popular stuffed "crazy chicken." Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
Maker's Apprentice, 3rd - 5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
June 23 - 27, 2025: 1:30 - 4:30 PM, Edwards Place. This is a history camp. This camp will explore how people made their own goods to trade and sell in the 19th century. Before machines helped us make some things, people used special tools to make them by hand. Campers will get to see and participate in creating some of these items, just like they did in the 1800s. Topics to be explored include broom making, hat making, shoe making, and more! This camp will take place in Edwards Place’s 2nd floor classroom. Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
|
Bridget Riley's Apprentice, 3rd - 5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
July 7 - 11, 2025: 9 AM - Noon or 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM. Media: Ceramics. Mixed Media. Drawing. Painting. Fiber Arts. Sculpture. Bridget Riley is a contemporary British painter known best for her Op Art works. Her paintings can include an entire rainbow or just black and white to create different optical effects. Campers will spend the week creating eye-bending artworks of their own! Camp Size: 20 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
Playing With the Past, 3rd - 5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
July 7 - 11, 2025: 9 AM - Noon or 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM, Edwards Place. This is a history camp. This camp will explore the different toys and games played by children in the 19th century, some of which are known to have been played with by the Edwards family. This camp isn't just to PLAY with games, but to MAKE games! Before factories mass-produced toys and games, many were handmade with materials that could be easily found in and around the home. This camp takes place in Edwards Place’s 2nd floor classroom. Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
|
William Morris' Apprentice, 3rd - 5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
July 14 - 18, 2025: 9 AM - Noon or 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM. Media: Ceramics. Mixed Media. Drawing. Painting. Fiber Arts. Sculpture. Victorian British designer William Morris (1834-1896) created intricate motifs for wallpaper, textiles, carpets, tapestries, furniture, books and more! Flora and fauna abound in his detailed, medieval inspired work. Much like Morris, campers will explore a variety of mediums! Camp Size: 20 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
SPY!, 3rd-5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
July 14 - 18, 2025: 9 AM - Noon or 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM, Edwards Place. This is a history camp. The art of spying is as old as there have been political boundaries. Methods of spying have changed and advanced throughout time, but some simple methods have been used which can be recreated by our campers! Our spies will learn about codes, invisible inks, deduction techniques, disguise, and more – then close out their camp week with a spy mission around historic Edwards Place. This camp takes place in Edwards Place’s 2nd floor classroom. Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
|
Audubon's Apprentice, 3rd - 5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
July 21 - 25, 2025: 9 AM - Noon or 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM. Media: Ceramics. Mixed Media. Drawing. Painting. Fiber Arts. Sculpture. John James Audubon was a French-American ornithologist and self-trained artist who spent his life trying to document every bird in North America. While quite a feat, campers will spend the week studying birds from across the globe in the hopes of documenting some from each continent! Audubon worked with watercolor, primarily because it traveled easily, but our flock will be made using 2D and 3D mediums alike! Camp Size: 20 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
|
Roy Lichtenstein's Apprentice, 3rd - 5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
July 21 - 25, 2025: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM, or July 28 - August 1, 2025: 1:30 - 4:30 PM Media: Ceramics. Mixed Media. Drawing. Painting. Fiber Arts. Sculpture. American Pop icon, Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997) is most famous for his comic book style paintings, though his work goes far beyond the newsprint. Bold lines and bright colors are indicative of his style. Campers will dive into Lichtenstein's creative process to create art of their own that POPS! Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
Camp Illinois, 3rd-5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
July 21 - 25, 2025: 9 AM - Noon, Edwards Place. This is a history camp. Learn about Illinois from its earliest indigenous nations to its admittance into the union (and beyond). Campers will learn about the history of our state through activities highlighting the diverse landscape, people, and events that have made Illinois the place we call home today. This camp takes place in Edwards Place’s 2nd floor classroom. Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
Winter in July, 3rd - 5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
July 21 - 25, 2025: 9 AM - Noon, Edwards Place. This is a history camp. This is a cool way to spend a hot summer day --- a chance to prepare for all the winter holidays and celebrations --- and best of all, it will be great way to sample a variety of fiber arts while creating ornaments and decorations to take home at the end of the week. Every day will present a different project using different fiber art tools, skills, and techniques. Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
Victorian Tales, 3rd - 5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
July 21 - 25, 2025: 1:30 - 4:30 PM, Edwards Place. This is a history camp. Victorians were well known for their stories about creatures, superstitions, ghosts, and magic. Many of these stories originated before the 19th century, but Victorians made them their own! In this camp, these tales will be explored through crafts and activities encouraging campers to connect with their imaginative side. Don’t worry – this camp will not include any tale that is too scary! This camp takes place in Edwards Place's 2nd floor classroom. Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
|
Faith Ringgold's Apprentice, 3rd - 5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
July 28 - August 1, 2025: 9 AM - Noon or 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM. Media: Ceramics. Mixed Media. Drawing. Painting. Fiber Arts. Sculpture. American artist and author Faith Ringgold (1930-2024) combined painting and fiber arts in her "story quilts". Inspired by her mother, a fashion designer in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, Faith added sewing to her large painted works. Campers will look to Faith's example and document their own stories in a mix of mediums. Camp Size: 20 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
Easy Peasey Yarn, 3rd-5th Grade$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
July 28 - August 1, 2025: 9 AM - Noon, Edwards Place. This is a history camp. Easy peasey, lemon squeezy means fun and easy. This camp offers an opportunity to learn how to turn yarn and plastic "canvas" into a variety of handy items including a picture frame, a glasses case, a key fob, and lots more. Campers will be able choose among a number of these projects to keep for themselves or to give to friends and family. This camp takes place in Edwards Place's 2nd floor classroom. Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
|
Acting Up in the 19th Century$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
July 28 - August 1, 2025: 1:30 - 4:30 PM, Edwards Place. This is a history camp. Before “lights, camera, action!”, people in the 19th century performed without the glitz and glam of Hollywood – often for friends and family in their own parlors. There were many ways to ham it up on the small stage. This camp will explore various forms of theater and performing – including tableaux vivants (living pictures), paper theatre, and puppet theatre. This camp will also teach the various forms of popular theatre – farce and melodrama among them. Camp Size: 12 SAA Members--After hitting purchase, don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount! |
