Summer camps are on the horizon for Arts Together, now that spring has finally arrived! Summer is a particularly special time, because not only do we offer camps in our flagship building on St. Mary’s Street, we also partner with Raleigh Charter High School (RCHS) to hold our Summer Sparks Junior and Senior camps in their impressive facility. This satellite location allows us to provide even more multi-arts fun for 6-to-12-year-olds!

Only a five minute drive from Arts Together, RCHS facilities include a black box theater, art room, music room, science lab, computer lab, picnic area, and multiple open green spaces/play areas. These additional places allow us to provide unique camp programming for our Summer Sparks that otherwise we wouldn’t be able to offer! Plus, RCHS is near Fred Fletcher Park, giving campers the opportunity to explore even more.

A former camper, who’s now 13 and has aged out of Summer Sparks, recalls the RCHS outdoor area. “There's a great eating area outside with picnic tables perfect for snack, lunch, outdoor crafts, and whatever game or activity campers dream up. I think RCHS is an awesome place for summer camps. I can’t wait to maybe go back as a Counselor-In-Training.”

Parents frequently rave about the convenience of RCHS. "Drop-off and pick up couldn't be easier at RCHS,” a mother shared. “No busy roads to walk across, and you don't even have to get out of your car! I can get both of my kids to Arts Together camps on time, even when one is at RCHS and one is at Arts Together, because the RCHS drop-off is so easy.”

This summer, we’re particularly excited to offer several brand new Junior and Senior camps. Junior Sparks (ages 6-8) can take Tap to the Beat, a tap dance camp with nationally renowned instructor Katie Padgett Brown, and Senior Sparks (ages 9-12) can express their creativity in Mini Maker by building their own imaginative, tiny worlds from everyday objects. One 10-year-old expressed her excitement about returning to camp. "All the teachers are great! I liked creating sculptures, painting, doing collages, and especially fabric design and sewing last summer," she exclaimed. "I love the Summer Sparks camps and can't wait to go back this summer!"

Campers often experience personal growth during their week of Summer Sparks. “I’ll never forget the day my daughter came home from Arts Together’s Summer Sparks camp and had tried eating several herbs they’d planted,” a parent explained. “I have NO IDEA how Ms. Sheri got a kid who turns her nose up at anything green to talk on and on about how much she loves basil.”

If you're on the fence about our Summer Sparks camps, don't wait to register any longer. These unique camps always fill quickly! Take a look at our full list of offerings for Junior Sparks and
Senior Sparks.

Kari Martin Hollinger, Communications & Development Associate