Art in Community Summer Camp

More Information

Youth Counselor

We are also looking for Youth Counselors rising into 8th grade/age 13+. Youth 8th Grade and up are invited to apply to be counselors. This program is designed to help high schoolers build important skills including problem-solving, communication, creativity, teamwork, and group facilitation. They play an important role in helping their campers become a team and ensuring that each day is both exciting and safe. Being a youth counselor is an opportunity to serve. In that short period of time, youth counselors learn and practice leadership skills, work directly with campers of all ages, and make new friends that often last a lifetime.

Youth counselors are supported through high-quality training and feedback. Under the supervision of the adult and senior counselors, youth counselors assist in leading the group in their daily programs. Youth Counselors receive valuable training both before and during the summer from the camp directors and their Senior Counselors. 

What skills did you build that you’ll use during the school year?

• Patience
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Flexibility and Spontaneity
• Initiative and Assertiveness

Parents: A position as a youth counselor is a terrific first-time leadership opportunity for many young individuals. As such, we encourage our youth counselors to take complete responsibility for this process by calling with any questions regarding the program and completing the application themselves.

Parent/Caregiver Volunteer Opportunities

Parent volunteers are also invited to attend and join during the week. All of our adults are background checked and receive onsite safety training for emergencies and abuse prevention. Please inquire for more details about volunteering.

Commitment to Multiculturalism

East Shore Unitarian Church was intentionally established to raise children who are caring of all people and world-wise to the complexities, challenges, and joys of learning and living in multicultural, interfaith communities. We see this as a partnership with parents and a way to be responsive to the diversity in our community. While we may not always get it right, our commitment is steadfast that through the mission and values of ESUC and our teaching and learning strategies, our community will be an accountable, knowledgeable, kind, and safe place for all students and families.

LGBTQIA+ Students

Although many acronyms may be used to refer to sexual and gender minority young people, we choose to use LGBTQIA+ as it represents the inclusivity of all marginalized sexual and gender identities. Our position is to support and validate the experiences of all youth with marginalized sexual and gender identities.

Neurodiversity

Our programs welcome campers who might be neurodivergent. We are committed to providing an inclusive educational environment that works for you. We strive to include a variety of activity and learning styles that may speak to different campers in important ways. Please help us by telling us more about your counselor or camper, including communicating strategies to help make our programs a place of belonging and learning.

General Information

• Drop off begins at 8:45 am. Program begins at 9:00 am.
• Pick up is at 3:00 pm. Please make arrangements if you are going to be late. You are  responsible for paying a late fee of $20 if you arrive after 3:15 pm.
• Sign your child in and out every day on the clipboard on the check-in table.
• At registration, you will provide a code word for anyone else that is picking up the registered minor(s). This code word must be provided at pick up by the non-legal guardian.
• If your child cannot make it to camp for the day or you have any other messages for the Summer Camp Director, call 425-747-3780 ext 104.
• Summer Camp keeps a fully equipped first aid backpack and all of the children’s emergency forms on-site at all times. Please make sure the information you provide is clear and accurate. If your child requires specific medical equipment (i.e. Epi-pen, allergy medicine, inhaler, etc.) please send these items to camp with instructions and notify Amanda. There will be a CPR/First-Aid certified staff member on hand at all times.
• Put sunscreen on your child each morning. 

Things to Bring

• Send a lunch and two snacks for the day with your child, along with a bottle of water. Please plan nut-free lunches.
• Send your child with weather-appropriate clothing. This might include a hat for playing outside in the sun.
• Label any loose items.
• This is an indoor/outdoor camp, so consider sending clothes you don’t mind getting dirt and/or paint on. Sturdy shoes appropriate for running and playing are appreciated.
• Your child is welcome to bring a book to read during open-choice time or lunch.
• Please leave these items at home: video games, MP3 players, Kindles, or tablets. We are here to interact with each other, be fully present and have fun, and also cannot take responsibility for loss or damage.

Camper Best Practices

A camp’s success always depends, in part, on how campers, counselors, volunteers, and staff choose to approach everyday interactions and activities. By participating in Art and Community Summer Camp, we commit to do our best to practice the following:

• To help make friendships with fellow campers and with counselors and other leaders where possible;
• To uphold the Platinum Rule (to treat others the way they want to be treated);
• To ask for clarification, help, or support when needed;
• To uphold Art and Community values (Inclusion, Friendship, Integrity, Kindness, Empathy, Caring, and Respect);
• To seek understanding, connection, inclusion, and acceptance, and have a fun camp experience together!

Camp is a wonderful place that can be full of friendship, joy, playfulness, curiosity, exploration, and growth. That happens through the hard work of volunteers and staff, but also through the hard work of campers like you! We will do our part to uphold the Art and Community values and we hope you will join in making them a priority during your time with us.

We’re so excited you’re joining! Let us know if you have questions.