camps
Our full day camps offer a creative space for children on school breaks and days off. Open to children in grades K-5, we engage children around a theme and balance their day with art time, outdoor time, stories, discussion, and quiet moments.
School Day Off Camps
The Loft offers art-based full day camp for children in grades K-5. Each camp day balances art projects, outdoor play, storytime, and quiet moments. Students explore, create, and connect with peers in a supportive, engaging environment.
Camp Details:
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Price: $125 per day ($240 for 2-day camps)
Aftercare: Not included unless noted
Scholarships: Available for families receiving free/reduced meals (contact lia@theloftcollective.org)
Sample Camp Day
9:00 - Arrival and invitation, open play at our sensory stations
9:30-9:50 - Group meeting , introduction to the day
9:50-10:30 - Art Block 1
10:30-11:15 - Outdoor snack and play
11:15-12:00 - Choice time
12:00-12:15 - Story and wash hands
12:15-1:00 - Lunch and outdoorplay
1:00-1:30 - Quiet reading time
1:30-1:45 - Story and project discussion
1:45-2:25 - Art Block 2
2:25-2:50 - Choice time, independent work
2:50-3:00 - Clean up and dismissal
Upcoming camps
Please check your school’s calendar before signing up for camps! Registration opens August 1.
In HYATTSVILLE
Prince George’s County:
Wednesday, Sept 16: Tardigrade Fan Club
Monday, Sept 21: Mushroom Fan Club
Friday, Oct 16: Wind Chasers Club
Tuesday, Nov 3: Night Owls Club
Wednesday, Nov 11: Bird Watchers Club
DCPS:
Friday, Oct 30: Wind Chasers Club
Tuesday, Nov 3: Night Owls Club
Wednesday, Nov 11: Bird Watchers Club
in TAKOMA
Montgomery County:
Monday, Sept 21: Tardigrade Fan Club
Friday, Oct 16: Bird Watchers Club
Mon-Tue, Nov 2-3: Signs of Hope
Monday, Nov 9: Wind Chasers Club
DCPS:
Tue, Oct 13: Tardigrade Fan Club
Mon-Tue, Nov 2-3: Signs of Hope
Tardigrade Fan Club
Tardigrades are microscopic creatures that live EVERYWHERE: in forests, in the ocean, in the arctic, in our bodies, even in space! They are so resilient, they can withstand extreme conditions and still survive and thrive. Also known as "water bears" or "moss piglets," they have an ugly/cute appeal, making them a fun focus for a camp day!
Mushroom Fan Club
Artist Yayoi Kusama painted mushrooms with repeating patterns to help calm her anxiety. The mushroom was common in her native rural Japan, and it represented her curiosity about nature and shapes. We'll explore dots, lines, repeating patterns, and of course, the varied shapes of mushrooms themselves.
Wind Chasers Club
Starting with paper airplanes, we'll explore simple origami that can be carried on a gentle breeze. We'll also look at the power of wind in Japanese artist Hokusai's Great Wave. Air is a powerful force, and the inspiration for our projects this week.
Bird Watchers Club
Bird watching is a great way to slow down and learn about our environment. When we observe birds, we notice patterns about their migration that indicate changes in the environment. We hear their calls as communication. We see patterns in their feathers that help them adapt to their surroundings. We imagine flight. Our projects for this camp will center around what we can learn from birds. Come explore a bird's world with us!
Night Owls Club
What animals come out after we go to sleep? We'll study noctural animals, how they adapted for darkness, and the impact of light pollution on their routines and environments. We'll also integrate projects on the night sky and constellations. Put on your night vision goggles!
Signs of Hope: Symbols, Stencils + Lettering
We’ll explore artist (and nun!) Corita Kent’s creative messaging that called attention to the unseen, the unfair, and the absurd. Her political messages were powerful because of their brevity and visual appeal. We’ll touch on the history of art in social movements and her contribution to the life and times of the mid-late 20th century through sign making, stencil letters and cut paper.