Step inside the Curiosity Cabinet this summer
Where every week opens a new drawer for youth discovery
Inspired by the Wunderkammer, the historic "cabinet of wonders," our camp invites young makers to explore art, nature, science, storytelling, and design through immersive, hands-on experiences.
Inspired by the historic Wunderkammer, or cabinet of wonders, The Curiosity Cabinet transforms our studios into a collection of creative worlds waiting to be explored.
Guided by our team of teaching artists, campers spend each week wondering, experimenting, collecting, and creating as they discover new materials, techniques, and ideas.
Like the original Wunderkammern, our camp celebrates the many ways people make sense of the world. Rather than focusing on a single medium, campers explore sculpture, painting, printmaking, ceramics, fiber arts, bookmaking, collaborative projects, and outdoor exploration while discovering how artists, designers, scientists, inventors, and storytellers all begin with the same thing: curiosity.
Throughout the summer, our discoveries are inspired by four ideas that shaped the original cabinets of wonder:
𖥔 Naturalia: The wonders of the natural world. Campers investigate plants, animals, landscapes, natural pigments, textures, and organic materials, discovering how nature has inspired artists for centuries.
𖥔 Artificialia: Things made by human hands. Through ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, fiber arts, and design, campers transform everyday materials into extraordinary creations.
𖥔 Scientifica: Observation, experimentation, and discovery. Campers explore pattern, color, engineering, architecture, and creative problem-solving, asking questions, testing ideas, and learning through the process of making.
𖥔 Ethnographica: Campers explore artistic traditions, stories, and materials from cultures around the world. By exploring artistic practices across time and place, campers discover how creativity connects people through shared ideas, materials, and traditions.
Every week opens a new drawer of discovery, and every project becomes part of a growing Curiosity Cabinet filled with observations, experiments, collections, and creations. By the end of the summer, campers leave with more than artwork. They leave with new ways of seeing, making, and wondering about the world.
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To ensure every camper has an experience that's both engaging and age appropriate, we divide campers into three communities that explore each week's collection at their own developmental level.
Collectors (K-2nd Grade)
Our youngest makers explore through play, movement, sensory experiences, and open-ended experimentation, building confidence while discovering the joy of creating.Makers (3rd-5th Grade)
As curiosity grows, so do possibilities. Campers take on multi-day projects, develop artistic techniques, and learn to balance experimentation with intentional craftsmanship.Curators (6th-12th Grade)
Our oldest makers dive deeper into complex materials, conceptual thinking, and personal expression. With greater independence, they refine their artistic voices while helping cultivate a vibrant creative community.
Although campers spend most of the day creating with their age group, everyone gathers throughout the day for community-building moments, shared outdoor time, and Friday showcases that celebrate the week's discoveries. Siblings can attend together, friendships blossom within each group, and every camper becomes part of one creative ecosystem under our roof.
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Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 am-6 pm
Please note that we serve students ages 5+
Can't commit to a full week? Day passes are available!
Siblings receive 5% off with the code SIBLING5 at checkout
Cancellation Policy: One month before = full refund, less than one month = half refund,
week of cancellation=no refund possible. You also have the option to use any cancellation
as a credit towards next year’s summer camp.
Explore this summer's collections below
An epic exploration where students hunt for treasures, create artifacts, map imaginary worlds, and build museum-worthy collections.
Sprouts (K-2nd): Little Explorers
Embark on treasure hunts, create simple maps, and craft clay artifacts inspired by ancient cultures. Kids will build structures, decorate treasure boxes, and discover that treasures can be found everywhere. They'll learn that every object has a story and every explorer needs a map.
Blooms (3rd-5th): Quest & Create
Design detailed treasure maps, create historical artifacts, and conduct archaeological "digs." Students will build imaginary worlds complete with geography, cultures, and histories, then curate their findings into personal museum collections. They'll learn cartography skills, artifact creation, and how explorers and archaeologists document their discoveries.
Roots (6th-12th): Artifacts & Worlds
Master cartography and create replicas of ancient art and artifacts. Students design entire fantasy cultures, complete with detailed maps, origin stories, languages, and material culture.
Collection II
Architecture
July 20th-24th
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An epic exploration where students hunt for treasures, create artifacts, map imaginary worlds, and build museum-worthy collections.
Sprouts (K-2nd): Little Explorers
Embark on treasure hunts, create simple maps, and craft clay artifacts inspired by ancient cultures. Kids will build structures, decorate treasure boxes, and discover that treasures can be found everywhere. They'll learn that every object has a story and every explorer needs a map.
Blooms (3rd-5th): Quest & Create
Design detailed treasure maps, create historical artifacts, and conduct archaeological "digs." Students will build imaginary worlds complete with geography, cultures, and histories, then curate their findings into personal museum collections. They'll learn cartography skills, artifact creation, and how explorers and archaeologists document their discoveries.
Roots (6th-12th): Artifacts & Worlds
Master cartography and create replicas of ancient art and artifacts. Students design entire fantasy cultures, complete with detailed maps, origin stories, languages, and material culture.
This is a day pass for Young Artist Summer Camp 2026. Upon registration, you’ll receive a Camper Information Form to fill out before your child arrives.
A hands-on exploration of pattern, repetition, and bookbinding where students create prints and transform them into handmade books.
Sprouts (K-2nd): Stamp & Story
Our youngest printmakers discover the magic of repetition using foam stamps and simple printing techniques. They'll experiment with colors, create patterns, and fold their prints into accordion books to tell visual stories. This playful introduction builds an understanding of how prints can be transformed into keepsakes and stories.
Blooms (3rd-5th): Print Shop
Middle-level artists learn block printing techniques, carving their own designs, and experimenting with pattern and color. They'll create zines, small handmade books combining their prints with writing and drawings. Students explore how printmaking has been used for self-expression, communication, and art throughout history.
Roots (6th-12th): Press & Bind
Our oldest printmakers master advanced techniques like multi-layer printing and complex bookbinding methods. They'll create hand-bound books featuring their original prints and explore printmaking as activist art, learning how artists have used prints to spread messages, challenge systems, and create change. This group combines technical skill with conceptual thinking to create meaningful, handcrafted books.
Collection II
Press & Repeat: Printmaking & Bookmaking
July 27th-31st
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Sprouts (K-2nd): Stamp & Story
Our youngest printmakers discover the magic of repetition using foam stamps and simple printing techniques. They'll experiment with colors, create patterns, and fold their prints into accordion books to tell visual stories. This playful introduction builds an understanding of how prints can be transformed into keepsakes and stories.
Blooms (3rd-5th): Print Shop
Middle-level artists learn block printing techniques, carving their own designs, and experimenting with pattern and color. They'll create zines, small handmade books combining their prints with writing and drawings. Students explore how printmaking has been used for self-expression, communication, and art throughout history.
Roots (6th-12th): Press & Bind
Our oldest printmakers master advanced techniques like multi-layer printing and complex bookbinding methods. They'll create hand-bound books featuring their original prints and explore printmaking as activist art, learning how artists have used prints to spread messages, challenge systems, and create change. This group combines technical skill with conceptual thinking to create meaningful, handcrafted books.
This is a day pass for Young Artist Summer Camp 2026. Upon registration, you’ll receive a Camper Information Form to fill out before your child arrives.
An outdoor exploration of nature's creative magic where students forage, create, and craft using plants, herbs, and natural materials.
Sprouts (K-2nd Grade): Natural Magic
Our youngest witches and wizards explore the magic of the natural world through sensory play and simple crafts. They'll collect plants and flowers, make natural paints from berries and leaves, create fairy gardens, and learn that nature holds endless creative possibilities.
Blooms (3rd-5th Grade): Herbalists & Makers
Middle-level students dive into natural dyeing techniques, create herbal sachets and botanical crafts, and learn about the properties of different plants. They'll experiment with creating pigments from natural materials, press flowers, and make outdoor potions while understanding how people have used plants throughout history.
Roots (6th-12th Grade): Wild Craft Studio
Our oldest students master advanced natural dyeing techniques like eco-printing and bundle dyeing, learn about foraging ethics and plant identification, and create herbal remedies. They'll explore the intersection of art, herbalism, and sustainability, transforming foraged materials into sophisticated textiles, natural inks, and botanical art while deepening their connection to the natural world.
Collection III
Potions & Pigments: Art from the natural worlds—1 SPOT LEFT
August 3rd-7th
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Sprouts (K-2nd Grade): Natural Magic
Our youngest witches and wizards explore the magic of the natural world through sensory play and simple crafts. They'll collect plants and flowers, make natural paints from berries and leaves, create fairy gardens, and learn that nature holds endless creative possibilities.
Blooms (3rd-5th Grade): Herbalists & Makers
Middle-level students dive into natural dyeing techniques, create herbal sachets and botanical crafts, and learn about the properties of different plants. They'll experiment with creating pigments from natural materials, press flowers, and make outdoor potions while understanding how people have used plants throughout history.
Roots (6th-12th Grade): Wild Craft Studio
Our oldest students master advanced natural dyeing techniques like eco-printing and bundle dyeing, learn about foraging ethics and plant identification, and create herbal remedies. They'll explore the intersection of art, herbalism, and sustainability, transforming foraged materials into sophisticated textiles, natural inks, and botanical art while deepening their connection to the natural world.
This is a day pass for Young Artist Summer Camp 2026. Upon registration, you’ll receive a Camper Information Form to fill out before your child arrives.
A celebration of fashion, craft, and self-expression where students create wearable art that reflects their unique style.
Sprouts (K-2nd): Tiny Treasures
Our youngest designers create simple jewelry, paint on fabric, and craft wearable items such as crowns, capes, and accessories. They'll explore color, pattern, and personal style while learning that art isn't just for walls; it can be worn, shared, and carried with you wherever you go.
Blooms (3rd-5th): Wear Your Art
Middle-level artists learn beading techniques, basic hand-sewing, tie-dye, and accessory-making. They'll design and create jewelry, bags, patches, and wearable pieces that express their personality. Students explore how fashion serves as a form of self-expression and learn skills they can use to personalize their own wardrobe.
Roots (6th-12th): Made to Wear, Made with Care
Our oldest designers explore fiber arts, advanced jewelry-making techniques, and wearable sculpture. They'll learn about sustainable fashion, upcycling, and how wearable art challenges the boundaries between craft, fashion, and fine art. This group creates sophisticated pieces, from hand-stitched garments to sculptural jewelry, that are both functional and thought-provoking.
Collection IV
Made to Wear, Made with Care: Functional & Wearable Art—9 SPOTS LEFT
August 10th-14th
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Sprouts (K-2nd): Tiny Treasures
Our youngest designers create simple jewelry, paint on fabric, and craft wearable items such as crowns, capes, and accessories. They'll explore color, pattern, and personal style while learning that art isn't just for walls; it can be worn, shared, and carried with you wherever you go.
Blooms (3rd-5th): Wear Your Art
Middle-level artists learn beading techniques, basic hand-sewing, tie-dye, and accessory-making. They'll design and create jewelry, bags, patches, and wearable pieces that express their personality. Students explore how fashion serves as a form of self-expression and learn skills they can use to personalize their own wardrobe.
Roots (6th-12th): Made to Wear, Made with Care
Our oldest designers explore fiber arts, advanced jewelry-making techniques, and wearable sculpture. They'll learn about sustainable fashion, upcycling, and how wearable art challenges the boundaries between craft, fashion, and fine art. This group creates sophisticated pieces, from hand-stitched garments to sculptural jewelry, that are both functional and thought-provoking.
This is a day pass for Young Artist Summer Camp 2026. Upon registration, you’ll receive a Camper Information Form to fill out before your child arrives.
Code of Conduct:
All parents and guardians registering their child/children for camp are required to sign the following agreement:
Our Expectations
Be Kind to yourself, your classmates, and the instructors and staff.
Be Respectful to the space (keep it clean!), to each other (hands to yourself, use kind language), and to the materials (use them carefully and appropriately).
Be Safe: Stay with your class and instructor, communicate when you need to leave, and follow all classroom rules.
Be Creative: Come ready to create, learn, and try your best.
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Behavior Policy
We are committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming environment for every student, family, and staff member. All students are expected to uphold the Code of Conduct at all times. The following outlines how behavioral concerns will be addressed:
Level 1 — Verbal Warning
A staff member will address the behavior directly with the student in the moment and document the incident.
Level 2 — Incident Report & Family Notification
A second behavioral concern will result in a filed incident report and direct communication with the student's parent or guardian.
Level 3 — Mandatory Family Meeting
A third incident report will result in a mandatory meeting between the family and the Youth Programs Director. A plan for moving forward will be established at that time. If the agreed-upon changes are not observed, dismissal from the program will occur. Re-enrollment the following year will be considered pending a meeting with the Youth Programs Director.
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Immediate Dismissal—Zero Tolerance
Certain behaviors will result in immediate dismissal from the program with no refund, regardless of prior incident history. These include:
• Any intentional physical harm to students, staff, or animals
• Emotional abuse, including targeted harassment or bullying
• Hate speech of any kind
• Deliberate destruction of materials or the space
Intentional harm, physical or emotional, will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Both students and staff deserve a space where they can safely teach, learn, and create. Families will be contacted immediately in the event of a zero-tolerance dismissal, and re-enrollment will require a formal meeting with the Youth Programs Director before any future participation is considered. In the event of immediate dismissal, a refund will not be issued.
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Vaccination
The child/children I am signing on behalf of are up-to-date on all required vaccinations for their age (please consult a pediatrician if in doubt).
FAQs & Other Information
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Lunch is served at 12 PM. If a student gets dropped off later during the day, they can still receive lunch. We partner with Nutritional Development Services, which provides the lunch free of charge. If your child has any dietary restrictions, please let us know.
Snack is served at 4 PM. If a student gets dropped off later during the day, they can still receive a snack.
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Fourth graders and above can walk themselves from home to TAL and back. They must have written permission from their parent or guardian. Please email program@theartsleague.org to arrange this.
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All teaching staff and adults participating in the Young Artist Summer Camp are required to submit clearances as mandated by Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law 23 Pa.C.S. Chapter 63 (Act 153 of 2014). Required clearances include:
Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Background Check
These clearances must be current and on file prior to the start of camp.
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We are unable to offer full-ride scholarships at this time. However, Afterpay can be used at checkout to split the cost of camp into installments.