Thank you so much for your interest in summer camp at vortex! BOOKING for summer camp 2024 will open February 21st at 7:00pm the website link will be live at that time. Please email us with any questions at all artatvortexstudio@gmail.com. If one of our camps is sold out please email us to be put on the waiting list
Summer camp 2024
BOOKING IS NOW OPEN! CLICK HERE TO BOOK!
Thank you so much for your interest in Vortex Studio summer camp. This year we are excited to offer 9 weeks of camp June 25th – August 23rd.
Vortex Studio Summer Camp 2024!
Location: Vortex Studio – 903 River Side Drive – In backyard, in wedding tents
Time– 9:00am-3:00pm
Before and after care: available for a fee – Start time 7:30am – 5:30pm (see info below)
Cost- Full day camp – $375 per full 5 day week, $79 single day, $300 for 4 day weeks (Due to a holiday) All supplies included
Number of Groups on grounds: 1-4 per week.
Camp age – We welcome campers age 5-15 at Vortex however, each week and group have different age requirements please see the schedule for more information
Language: Camp instructions are given in English. We can definitely offer a bilingual staff if required and advance notice is given.
Contact info– Stella Pagani owner or Manager TBD
artatvortexstudio@gmail.com
416 629 6504
2024 schedule At a glance (full outline bellow)
Week 1 June 25-28th
UNICORN – Single day Epic art June 25-28th
ZEBRA – Epic art full 4 day week. Age 5-12
Week 2 July 2-5th- 4 day week
ZEBRA – Single day epic art or painting & public art. Age 5-12
UNICORN – Painting,murals and public art 7-12 – 4 day week
Week 3 – July 8-12th
ZEBRA – Epic art. Age 5-12- FULL WEEK & SINGLE DAYS
FLAMINGO – Amazing animals & nature art camp. Age 5-12
KOALA – Fun camp. Age 5-10 – FULL WEEK & SINGLE DAYS Age 5-10
Week 4 – July 15th – 19th
ZEBRA – Epic art. Age 5-12- FULL WEEK & SINGLE DAYS
FLAMINGO – Youth/ Teen Mixed media art & alternative art making – painting, photo based art, 3D,soft textiles & more. Age 10-15
UNICORN – Princess, unicorns, rainbows and glitter Epic art. Age 5-10
KOALA – Crafts and play. Art & fun camp. Age 5-12 FULL WEEK & SINGLE DAYS
Week 5 – July 22-26th
ZEBRA – Epic art 5-12 – FULL WEEK & SINGLE DAYS
FLAMINGO – Mythical creatures, comics & fantasy based art. Age 8-12
UNICORN – Storybooks, fairy tales, magical lands, arts and crafts. Age 5-8
Week 6 – July 29th – August 2
ZEBRA – Epic art with Zebra age 5-12
UNICORN– Nature art making & Epic art . Age 5-12- FULL WEEK & SINGLE DAY
KOALA – Disney inspired crafts and play! Age 5-10
Week 7 – August 5-9th
ZEBRA – Epic art. Age 5-12
UNICORN – Epic crazy Messy art & Play! Age 5-12
FLAMINGO – Youth/Teen epic art. Age. Age 10-15
KOALA – SINGLE DAY- Art camp Epic or Messy art Age 5-12
Week 8- August 12-16h
ZEBRA – Epic art. Age 5-12
UNICORN – Crafts and play. Age 5-10
KOALA – Village adventures, games and movement fun camp. Age 5-12
Week 9- August 19-23rd
ZEBRA – Epic art. Age 5-12
UNICORN- Epic art single days. Age 5-12
Week 1 June 25-28th
Single day Epic art June 25-28th $79 per day
Tuesday June 25th – Messy, glitter, glue gun day! Fun bedroom crafts-
Do your children love the glue gun? Most do! and today it’s on all day, We will be decorating fun useful decor items to jazz up a cool bedroom. This is a great workshop for the kids that just LOVE crafting with all kinds of stuff that makes a mess at home.
Wednesday –June 26th – 2 & 3D arts and crafts
Today we will be working with a little bit of everything, paint, clay and much more so many unique ways to get your hands dirty.
Thursday June 27th – Painting, Spray paint, mixed media- Come use all the supplies!
Today is a day to get familiar with lots of art supplies! Spray paint, Watercolour paint, Watercolour pastels, Paint markers pastels, acrylic, and much more. This is the day for dirty hands learning though freestyle activities. Make sure to come in messy clothing because today you will need it. (Bath night after this day)
Friday June 28th– Painting & drawing party
Today we paint a lot! students will work on paper and canvas getting a full understanding of what all the different kinds of paint do. We will be doing step by step paintings, free style and abstract. It will be sure to bring out all of the creativity. Please dress for a mess!
Epic art full 4 day week. Age 5-12 $300
-Vortex Studios most well known camp! All of the art sees campers try all kinds of supplies from paint to 3D sculptures. See more info above in the ‘Epic Art Camp’ block
Week 2 July 2-5th- 4 day week
Single day epic art. Age 5-12 $79 per day
Tuesday July 2nd – Painting, Spray paint, mixed media- Come use all the supplies!
Today is a day to get familiar with lots of art supplies! Spray paint, Watercolour paint, Watercolour pastels, Paint markers pastels, acrylic, and much more. This is the day for dirty hands learning though freestyle activities. Make sure to come in messy clothing because today you will need it. (Bath night after this day)
Wednesday July 3rd – Public interactive art making
Spend the day making artwork that the public will interact with in their day to day lives, A chalk mural or twig sculpture the projects are still TBD but we can assure that they will be amazing! Note no take home project will be done today.
Thursday July 4th – Painting & Public art
We will spend the day painting and making an artwork that the public will interact with in their day to day lives, our projects are still TBD but we can assure that they will be amazing! Note no take home project will be done today.
Friday July – Painting & drawing party
Today we paint a lot! students will work on paper and canvas getting a full understanding of what all the different kinds of paint do. We will be doing step by step paintings, free style and abstract. It will be sure to bring out all of the creativity. Please dress for a mess!
Painting,murals and public art 7-12 – 4 day week $300
This is a really hands-on makers week, We will be focusing on 3D and 2D large immersive public artworks for the outside and inside of Vortex campgrounds. Youth must be ready to slow down and problem solve, work in a group and advance their skills with all different kinds of art supplies from traditional markers to recycled materials. We will work on fewer projects this week and most will stay at vortex. We slow down and focus on detailed pieces that challenge what they already know and build skills in new mediums. We will do mixed media murals, an entryway sculpture and much much more. Note all projects are open to be made as hard or simple as the creator likes. We welcome all levels of creators that are willing to push their creative boundaries with lots of artistic support and encouragement from Vortex owner Stella. Note- This week we won’t have any take home projects as they stay at Vortex as installations.
Week 3 – July 8-12th
Epic art. Age 5-12 FULL WEEK & SINGLE DAYS
-Vortex Studios most well known camp! All of the art sees campers try all kinds of supplies from paint to 3D sculptures. See more info above in the ‘Epic Art Camp’ block
Amazing animals & nature art camp. Age 5-12
This week campers make all kinds of art inspired by animals and nature’s materials as well as arts and crafts materials. Students might have less take-homes, as some projects could be land art or live in the vortex woods. We also hope to have a visit from some special animals!
Fun camp. Age 5-10 FULL WEEK & SINGLE DAYS
Campers will get to play and explore. See more details above in the fun time camp description. Note campers don’t really make any art in this camp.
Week 4 – July 15th – 19th
Epic art. Age 5-12 FULL WEEK & SINGLE DAYS
-Vortex Studios most well known camp! All of the art sees campers try all kinds of supplies from paint to 3D sculptures. See more info above in the ‘Epic Art Camp’ block
Youth/ Teen Mixed media art & alternative art making – painting, photo based art, 3D,soft textiles & more. Age 10-15
We all love painting and drawing but as well as the traditionals this week we dig into some less used mediums such as photo based artworks like image transfers, collage, printmaking and acrylic mediums. We also build 3D artworks and try out soft textile artmaking like weaving. This week is less about making lots of work and more about problem solving and exploring. We slow down and focus on mediums and ideas that challenge what they already know and build new skills. Note all projects are open to be made as hard or simple as the creator likes. We welcome all levels of creators that are willing to push their creative boundaries with lots of artistic support and encouragement.
Princess, unicorns, rainbows and glitter Epic art. Age 5-10
Get the glitter out and the glue guns plugged in! All of our projects are craft based this week: 2D, 3D, painting, and bedazzling the most pretty and frilly items. This week is for the camper that loves freestyle access to lots of supplies and room to experiment with their own ideas based around princesses, unicorns and rainbows! We will also spend lots of time playing dress up and make believe in our magical woods! Campers MUST be able to use a glue gun alone as it will be on all week.
Crafts and play. Art & fun camp. Age 5-10 FULL WEEK & SINGLE DAYS
This week is for our younger campers that love creating and making but also really need to move and play! 40% art & craft, 40% play and 20% surprise…
Week 5 – July 22-26th
Epic art 5-12 FULL WEEK & SINGLE DAYS
-Vortex Studios most well known camp! All of the art sees campers try all kinds of supplies from paint to 3D sculptures. See more info above in the ‘Epic Art Camp’ block
Mythical creatures, comics & fantasy based art. Age 8-12
This week will be a lot like epic art camp week but with the theme of magical mythical ideas and creatures. We will make stories, characters, and art that is made using creative thinking and imagination! Students are encouraged to share the ideas and stories of the projects with friends during the sharing circle if they want to. We will have a show and tell day for our favourite fantasy book or movie and we will have a dress up day! To attend, your child MUST be able to use a hot glue gun alone as all of the projects will require it.
Storybooks, fairy tales, magical lands, arts and crafts. Age 5-8
This week will be a lot like epic art camp week but with the theme of fairy tales and magical mythical ideas and creatures! We will make stories, characters, costumes and art that is made to play with or experience later. We will have story time and play time in our fairy gardens. Students are encouraged to share the ideas and stories of the projects with friends during the sharing circle if they want to, we will have show and tell and we will have a full dress up day! To attend, your child MUST be able to use a hot glue gun alone as most of our projects will require it. -This week is for our younger campers that love creating and making but also really need to move and play! 40% art & craft, 30% play and 30% surprise…
Week 6 – July 29th – August 2
Epic art. Age 5-12
-Vortex Studios most well known camp! All of the art sees campers try all kinds of supplies from paint to 3D sculptures. See more info above in the ‘Epic Art Camp’ block
Nature & Epic art making. Age 5-12 FULL WEEK & SINGLE DAYS
Become inspired by all the natural beauty around us this week, During this camp we will experiment with making creations using natural materials and supplies that we have foraged in the woods around wakefield on walks or hikes. This week campers spend 70% of the time making art and 30% exploring the beauty that Wakefield holds.
Disney inspired crafts and play! Age 5-10
We all know that Disney has some of our most memorable and loved artworks, costumes and songs from childhood. This week we are using those images as inspiration. We will paint, draw, dance, decorate, play and dress up. All while listening to our favourite Disney jams! We also might welcome some special glamorous visitors. This is 40% art/crafts 60% play & dress up!
Week 7 – August 5-9th
Epic art. Age 5-12
-Vortex Studios most well known camp! All of the art sees campers try all kinds of supplies from paint to 3D sculptures. See more info above in the ‘Epic Art Camp’ block
Youth/Teen epic art. Age. Age 10-15
This week is for the tween/teen that likes to advance their skills but also try a little of everything art related! We slow down and focus on detailed artworks that challenge what they already know and build skills in new mediums. We will do plane air (landscape) in the backwoods of Vortex, painting, drawing, mixed media, spray painting, ink work, soft crafts with wool, glue gunning and much much more. Note all projects are open to be made as hard or simple as the creator likes. We welcome all levels of creators that are willing to push their creative boundaries with lots of artistic support and encouragement.
Epic crazy Messy art! Age 5-12
This camp will leave you throwing out their clothing for the week, spraying them down before they get in the car and laughing at the photos. We know you know art is messy. We are kicking it up a notch and making it the goal this week. Dirty messy paint pour, paper mache, chalk pastels, paint water balloon baseball, splatter painting, pollock painting, finger painting, amazing obstacle courses, glitter, and more. This is everything you never want to allow in your home. We will have some take homes this week but really your child will be the ultimate piece of work! 30% art 40% epic mess 30% play.
SINGLE DAY EPIC ART OR MESSY ART age 5-12 with Koala
Week 8- August 12-16h
Epic art. Age 5-12 FULL WEEK & SINGLE DAYS
-Vortex Studios most well known camp! All of the art sees campers try all kinds of supplies from paint to 3D sculptures. See more info above in the ‘Epic Art Camp’ block
Crafts and play. Age 5-10 FULL WEEK & SINGLE DAYS
This week is for our younger campers that love creating and making but also really need to move and play! 40% art & craft, 40% play and 20% surprise…
Village adventures, games and movement fun camp. Age 5-12
Spend the day playing games, solving scavenger hunts, going on hikes & walks around the village finished off with ice cream treats and lounging in the woods at vortex.
Week 9- August 19-23rd
Epic art. Age 5-12 FULL WEEK & SINGLE DAYS
Vortex Studios most well known camp! All of the art sees campers try all kinds of supplies from paint to 3D sculptures. See more info above in the ‘Epic Art Camp’ block
Please see more info below about:
- Camp location,price & contact info
- How to book – Booking open’s february 21st at 7:00pm
- Waiting list
- Kinds of camps we offer art & fun camp
- Information about groups and group names
- Full Schedule
- extreme weather
- Before and after care
- Refund policy
- Forms needed
- What to bring to camp
Booking Summer camp
Booking opens Wednesday February 21st at 7:00pm Online. The above pink link will take you to our square space page where you can book and pay for camp.
Notes about booking frequently asked questions
-Please call or email us with any questions 416 629 6504 artatvortexstudio@gmail.com.
-Note that sometimes when booking on a phone square (booking site) freezes so we recommend using a computer vs tablet if you are in a rural area. If you have problems still after refreshing the page call us and will try and do it on the back end.
-If you would like your child to be in the same group as a friend PLEASE make sure you both book the same animal eg- flamingo. Our groups do not mix and we can not move children once camp is booked unless you refund your spot and re book it in the new group if there is availability.
-If you are trying to get a large group of friends in one camp group we recommend one parent books all the spots and then sends an email CCing the parents to vortex to let us know. This is the only way you can assure it won’t sell out and let people down.
-We do Require forms ASAP once you book camp please click here to get them.
Please read all the info below about camp before booking
-If you are interested in a week that is sold out please email us to join the waiting list. With the date, theme and animal you are interested in.
PLEASE READ To better understand our camps, themes, and groups
-We have 5 wedding tents at Vortex Studio that we run camp in each week.
-Each group/tent has a different animal name, counselor and project theme.
-The groups of children in each tent do not tend to spend time with other tents as they are doing different projects.
-We have decided to name each tent so that parents know what group their child is in. When booking you know what to tell friends to ensure your children will be together as the tents to not mix as activities are drastically different.
-This also aids when dropping off and picking up the children you can easily see your leader in the parking lot as they are dressed up with a sign and stuffy so you can pick them out in the crowd.
-When its time to book on the square site you will see the tent’s name first beside the date. EG – June 27-30 Zebra- epic art, to make sure you are booking the right camp.
-We have also colour coded everything to easily see what you are booking art- blue vs fun – green
Zebra, Flamingo, unicorn – Art camp
Koala – Fun camp
Epic Art Camp – This is our best known art camp we have been running for 6 years. Campers spend 90% of their time getting creative and messy! We make new and exciting art and craft projects all day. Trying everything from drawing and painting, to clay, 3D crafts, nature crafts, collage, spray paint, beading, sewing, messy day, and SOO much more! This camp is for your art loving kid. They get to try so many projects and work at their own pace and difficulty. We spend our full day making, usually only stopping to eat, lounge in hammocks under the tree, and clean up. Please note this camp does not include much play or non-art games or include lots of physical activity. We have tried but all these students want to do is make art! This is important to note when booking so that you find a good fit for your child. It is also an amazing time for your child to meet like-minded new creative friends! All art projects can be geared towards different skill levels and abilities. **Please note these campers tend to come home with lots of art! Please make sure you have an empty car on Friday for pick up. When looking at our schedule the Epic Art-based camp will be the groups with the leaders – ‘Zebra’ , ‘Leopard’ or flamingo – Below all Art Camp titles will have the blue highlighted title of their leader.
Themed art camp – Every year we offer themed weeks. Different kinds of art based camps with projects that lend themselves to a particular theme or subject or they are geared towards a particular age group. Similar to “All of the Art Camp” we still spend 90% of our time making artwork and still try all different kinds of mediums its just they are directed towards a certain kind of idea or goal. When looking at the schedule below these camps will be highlighted in light blue, and will be run by the leader Zebra, Leopard or Flamingo.
Fun time camp! – THIS IS NOT ART CAMP – Fun camp is for all the amazing kiddos that are looking for the whimsical Vortex experience but without the art element. If you have siblings where one loves art and the other loves play this is a great way to keep them at the same camp! Fun time camp is a unique silly camp that embodies creative outside play, every toy you can imagine lots of games, nature exploring, getting messy, wild, and weird! Campers will enjoy our freestyle play area with all the games, tell stories, and our counselors will run all kinds of playful activities. For 2023 we will have light self-directed craft projects available however it will be a very small part of the week about 10%. We will have more emphasis on physicality and spontaneity, while still embodying the visual Vortex landscape. Our fun camp tents will be in the very back zone of Vortex in the ‘woods’, set up with couches instead of assigned tables with game zones and a craft table. We have lots of sport options in our big field as well as hammock chill zones for rest time. When looking at our schedule the Fun Time Camp will be highlighted in green, with the leader will be Koala.
Themed fun camp – Similar to the above description of fun camp we will also be running themed fun camp. Children will get all the joys of fun camp but also be offered a special theme that will bring like minds together. During these weeks we might put more emphasis of the theme and activities pertaining to it vs freestyle play and other games. But we definitely make sure that everyone has time to do activities they are excited for. When looking at our schedule the Fun Time Camp will highlighted in light greenwith the leaders Unicorn
Forms
When booking camp we will require that you fill out:
-A child emergency contact form. We need this as soon as you book camp to hold your spot at camp to get forms please click here
– A before and after care form if needed – you can book last minute however elevated fees apply
– Child pick up form if relevant for friends and family to safely pick up your child
– If relevant – Medical release form for any medication that needs to be taken or issued on site including an epi pen or inhaler
Vortex is a peanut free location – please do not pack nuts in lunches
Single Camp group sizes will depend on age groups.
We will be respecting the government’s child care ratio guidelines.
Camp will be fully outside and open air in wedding tents.
Washrooms are inside Vortex studio building. We take campers throughout the day on washroom runs.
In the case of extreme weather
-Thunderstorm- tornado warning ect.. We will bring the children inside the studio. If it is persistent, really extreme or dangerous we will call parents to pick up the children.
Siblings
Can Siblings be in two different camp groups? Yes definitely. We request that you fill out two emergency contact forms. One for each child for paper work purposes.
Booking:
-All booking will be done online this year
-As of February 21st at 7:00pm we will be taking online bookings for 2024 camp. At this time you can click on the book now tab at the top of this page and it will bring you to our online store where you can choose and pay for your camp. If our online portal for sum reason is not working please call us and we will send you a booking email (this is a common problem we are working out). 416 629 6504
Refunds or exchanges will also be online. Stella is unable to change a date of camp in office you will have to do it by emailing us and requesting a refund and then rebooking the new selection online.
Before and After Camp Child Care.
- Before and after Camp Child Care will be available but is priced based on how far in advance you book it. Please make sure to fill out a before and after care form as soon as you know you will need care. We will send you an invoice at the beginning of the following week for your care.
- – There will absolutely be no staff present to watch a child unless booked ahead of time unless it is an emergency after care if that is the case we charge an emergency fee for the care.
- Emergency care absolutely not available in the mornings as we do not have staff on site until 8:15 unless we have advanced before care requests.
- You must submit a before and after care form if requiring care. Click here to get form -Please indicate your camp group and date as well as the Childs name and name on credit card when booking camp so we can pair it with your online file.
- Before and After care if booked in advance is $15/hour for one Child, OR $10 per hour PER SIBLING. It must be booked TWO WEEKS before their care date to get this rate.
- You must pay for the full hour regardless if you pick up halfway through. If you have requested care. You will be billed for the hours requested as well as any additional care used. Please let us know ASAP if anything changes on your form as we will need to notify staff.
- Before Care is available starting at 7:30am This MUST be booked at least a week before because no one will be onsite at this time unless they are scheduled.
- After Care is available until 5:30 pm
- -> If booking care the same week as camp it’s $20/hour per child (with little notice we cannot guarantee this will be available because of staffing).
- If childcare is needed the same day without notice it is $25 an hour. We will consider this emergency care. If we do not hear from you we will call emergency contacts if we cannot get ahold of the guardian.
Age groups.
- Our age groups are very structured for camp due to project difficulty or theme. It’s non negotiable, we are extremely sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
- Vortex Studios camp requires campers to be at least the minimum age required on the schedule the first day of camp. For example child turns age 5 on june 29th but the first day of camp is the 28th. That child can not join that group until its birthday because of insurance.
- All ART campers MUST be able to use a glue gun alone, tie a knot, and be able and willing to work on art projects for at least 90 minutes.
- The minimum age for a camper at vortex studio is 5 years old for insurance.
General Refund policy 2024
Refund policy UNRELATED to government shut downs
-We offer full refunds up to 6 weeks before summer camp start date. Minus $15 booking fee.
-We will be offering 75% refunds minus the booking fee of $15 up to 5 weeks before summer camp.
-4 weeks before camp we can offer a 50% refund. Minus $15 booking fee.
– Any time after 14 days before camp unfortunately we can not offer a refund or credit of any kind.
-In the case of your child or someone in your household is sick/has flu like symptoms, covid 19 OR hand foot/mouth we kindly ask that your child stay home as to not potentially spread to other campers or staff. When missing camp due to extreme sickness or other personal obligations we are sorry we are not able to offer a refund or larger credit. We understand this policy is not ideal, however because of our unique programing there are extremely high expenses and supply costs, staff prep work, that go into running camp. We hope that you understand.
In the event your child can not attend camp -We are happy to transfer a camp spot to another child that you have facilitated if you are no longer able to attend, as long as that child meets the age requirements of the group and we receive notice that the change has been made, and we receive their emergency contact form 7 days before the camp start date. Please note in this case the person holding this camp spot must make all the arrangements, Vortex studio will not take responsibility for finding a replacement. We also need an email with both party’s explaining the transfer and contact info as well as emergency contact forms.
Government issued closure refund policy (relevant February- September 1st 2024)
- -In the case that the government does not allow any camp at all due to regional shut downs we will refund 85% of payment until May 15th.
- -After May 15th we are in full planning and ordering mode and will only be able to offer 65% refund, even if there are any government issued closures or capacity restrictions.
- -After June 5th we can only refund 50% upon a government closure.
- -Please note in the case of a government shut down we are unable to supply the camp art kit that is only for: positive covid cases, a child awaiting results, or a covid case in the child’s group causing shut down.
- –We are sorry we are not able to offer a refund or credit towards another year. We understand this policy is not ideal, however because of our unique program there are extremely high expenses and supply costs, staff prep work, and covid expenses that go into running camp and if we don’t implement this policy we would not run camp at all this year. We hope that you understand.
What to bring to camp
coming soon
We are really looking forward to spending another creative, happy, healthy, safe summer with all of you!
Vortex Art Studio 