Summer Camp 2026

Hello! Thank you so much for your interest in summer camp 2026! Booking opens February 17th at 7:00pm

Please email us with any questions at all artatvortexstudio@gmail.com or

call 416 629 6504

This year you can use After Pay on the Square website to pay for camp in 4 instalments! (for more info- https://www.afterpay.com/en-CA)

Summer camp 2026

Thank you so much for your interest in Vortex Studio summer camp. This year we are excited to offer 10 weeks of camp June 25th – August 28th.

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 7:00am – 6:00pm (see info below)

Cost- Full day camp – $375 per full 5 day week, $79 single day

Number of Groups on grounds: 1-3 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

http://www.vortexstudio.ca

Please see more info below about:

Schedule
Camp location,price & contact info
How to book – Booking open’s february 15th 9:00am
Waiting list
Kinds of camps we offer art & crafts & play fun camp
Information about groups and group names (inportent if booking with friends)
Full Schedule
extreme weather
Before and after care
Refund policy
Forms needed
What to bring to camp

2026 quick schedule – See full summery and schedule bellow

June

June 25–26 — Epic Art (Single Days) — Ages 5–12
June 29–30 & July 3 — Epic Art (Single Days) — Ages 5–12

July 6–10

Make Stuff & Play Hard — Ages 5–10
Mixed Media, Murals & BIG Painting — Ages 7–13

July 13–17

Busy Hands, Big Energy — Ages 7–12
Little Makers & Magical Play — Ages 3–6
The Enchanted Woods Week — Ages 5–11

July 20–24

Creative Reset Retreat with Stella (3 day workshop -July 20–22) — Ages 10–14 $245
Makers Mayhem: Art/ Sculpture & Salvage Studio — Ages 7–12
Fancy Fairies & Forest Tales — Ages 3–5
Epic Art — Ages 5–12

July 27–31

The STEM & Art Tinker Lab — Ages 7–12
Epic Art — Ages 5–12

August 3–7

Epic Art — Ages 5–12

August 10–14

Nature-Based Epic Art Week — Ages 5–12
The Ultimate Messy Art Camp — Ages 5–12

August 17–21

Make Stuff & Play Hard & Village Adventure — Ages 5–12

August 24–28

Make Stuff & Play Hard — Ages 5–12

Full detailed description of 2026 camps

June 25, 26th

Epic Art with Zebra Ages 5-12 – Single-Days only

Welcome to Epic Art Camp!
We spend our days exploring new materials and creative projects — from drawing and painting to crafting, building, handwork, and wonderfully wild ideas that encourage kids to think outside the box. Campers typically create 3–5 unique projects each day, keeping busy hands and big imaginations fully engaged.

During Epic Art days, each camper is gently challenged beyond their current creative comfort zone while learning new ways to use the skills they already have. With supplies galore and endless inspiration, there is always something new, exciting, and hands-on to explore.

We balance our studio time with outdoor play in our magical forest backyard and silly group games that spark creativity, collaboration, and fun all day long.

June 29th, 30th, July 3rd

Epic art – single days- Age 5-12

We balance our studio time with outdoor play in our magical forest backyard and silly group games that spark creativity, collaboration, and fun all day long.

July 6–10

Make Stuff & Play Hard — Age 5–10

Welcome to Crafts & Play at Epic Art Camp!
We mix cool, hands-on art making with imaginative, creative, and guided play throughout the day. From drawing and painting to crafting, building, and handwork, campers explore exciting materials while letting their imaginations lead the way.

Children create multiple unique projects each day while also enjoying playful moments, group games, and outdoor time in our magical forest backyard. It’s a balance of busy hands, big ideas, and creative play that keeps campers engaged, inspired, and happily making all day long.

Mixed media, murals and a proper push into everything painting and drawing — Age 7–13

Come get gloriously messy and discover just how exciting painting and drawing can be when there are no limits on materials or imagination. This week at Vortex is all about experimenting, layering, and exploring what happens when we mix unexpected supplies and work BIG.

We’ll use spray paint, paint sticks, acrylics, watercolours, pastels, charcoal, and ink — and we won’t just use brushes. We’ll paint with hands, feet, twigs, rollers, and anything else that makes an interesting mark. Campers will create expressive mixed-media pieces, collaborate on large-scale murals, and learn how artists combine materials to make bold, textured, one-of-a-kind artwork.

Be ready to get a little weird, very creative, and wonderfully messy as we turn the studio into a space for fearless making, giant art, and colourful experimentation all week long.

July 13–17

Busy Hands, Big Energy learning to focus through cool artmaking! — Age 7–12

This week is built for kids with big energy, busy bodies, and creative brains. We’ll put that energy to work with hands-on projects that keep fingers moving and minds locked in. Do you have a kiddo that has a hard time focusing at school and always needs a figet? This is the camp for them! Think felting (yes, the pokey kind), bold sketching, painting with big brushes, journaling, and simple fibre skills that are more like building than crafting.

Each day mixes focused making with movement breaks, outdoor time, and quick reset activities kids can use at school when they need to burn energy and get back on track.Or in class to keep hands busy and brains on!

Designed by a high school teacher who spends every day helping energetic students channel their focus through art while still keeping them engaged in learning, this week is full of practical strategies that really work.

Campers head home with their projects, a sketch book and booklet of easy practice sheets and activities, and a note for teachers sharing independent quiet art projects that helps them focus , settle, and feel confident in class. It’s an active, creative week where making, moving, and learning how to manage big energy all at the same time. Kids will leave inspired, knowledgeable and parents will leave with a pretty cool tool box full of custom ideas for at home and school made by Vortex owner and teacher Stella who will be co hosting camp with one of her staff.

Little Makers & Magical Play (Ages 3–5)

A magical, colour-filled week for our littlest makers!
Campers spend their days painting, drawing, decorating, and joyfully exploring art materials with wonderfully messy hands and big imaginations. We’ll create tiny treasures to bring home, play silly games, and head outside for woodsy backyard adventures in our magical Vortex forest.

Dress-up, creative play, and open-ended building are woven throughout the day, encouraging children to pretend, discover, explore, and make at their own pace in a warm, playful studio environment.

It’s a week of bright colours, happy messes, imagination, and gentle creative discovery designed especially for little hands and big wonder.

Please note:

Children must be fully potty trained
We will have a daily quiet/rest time (no naps)
Campers must bring a packed lunch and snacks each day

The Enchanted Woods Week age 5-11

A charming, storybook-inspired camp set in magical nature. Campers wander through fairy lands, enchanted woods, and hidden forest creature habitats as they dream up epic stories and bring them to life through drawing, painting, crafting, and land art and mixed-media.

Dress-up, story time, and imaginative play are woven throughout the week, inviting children to step into their tales as fairies, explorers, and woodland creatures. Projects are inspired by forests, animals, tiny magical worlds, and a little bit of sparkle — making this week full of wonder, adventure, and creative making for every child.

July 20–24

Makers Mayhem Week-Sculpture & Salvage Studio age 7-12

A week big ideas! We’ll spend the days building, making, and creating in both 2D and 3D using paint, hammers, spray paint, twine, wood pieces, cardboard, and all sorts of found and forgotten materials. This is our week of wonderfully weird art, where campers experiment with unusual supplies, mixed media and unexpected combinations, and creative problem-solving.

We’ll dig into the Vortex basement, clear out the oddities, and turn scraps and treasures into imaginative sculptures, mobiles installations, outside art peices and bold artworks. It’s messy, inventive, hands-on making at its best — perfect for kids who love to tinker, build, and think differently.

This is the camp for kids who have done a lot of Vortex camps and are ready to push their creative boundaries even further.

Creative Reset Retreat (Tweens & Teens) age 10-14 (3 days 20,21,22)

An art-therapy–inspired experience for tweens and teens who love making.
Over three days at Vortex Studio and around the village, participants work closely with artist, teacher, and Vortex owner Stella as she guides them through thoughtful mixed-media projects designed to build real art skills while also offering tools they can use in everyday life when stress takes over.

Students gain hands-on knowledge of mixed media and handwork materials as they explore felting, painting, journaling, embroidery, and other tactile processes. They learn how different supplies behave, how to combine materials, and how slow, focused, detail-oriented art making can reduce stress, settle busy thoughts, and offer quiet ways to share ideas without needing words.

Gentle movement exercises, inspiring locations, stretching, share circles, and simple relaxation practices are woven into the days to help participants reset and refocus.

Each participant leaves with a personal sketchbook and a small booklet of creative ideas and practices they can continue using at home and at school.

This creative retreat helps tweens and teens build practical strategies for recharging, reflecting, and feeling more balanced as they grow.

Fancy Fairies & Forest Tales (Jr. 3–5)

A magical, art-filled week for our littlest makers inspired by fairies, forests, and special woodland creatures.
Children spend their days painting, drawing, collaging, and creating mixed-media artworks that bring tiny fairy worlds and forest animals to life. We’ll also spend time in our magical backyard forest for exploration, inspiration, and playful adventures woven into the day.

Using nature finds, sparkly treasures, paint, paper, and all sorts of wonderful supplies, campers create imaginative art pieces while enjoying story time, dress-up, and creative play throughout the week.

Please note:

Children must be fully potty trained
Daily quiet/rest time (no naps)
Packed lunch and snacks required

Epic Art age 5-12

We balance our studio time with outdoor play in our magical forest backyard and silly group games that spark creativity, collaboration, and fun all day long.

July 27–31

The STEM & Art Tinker Lab – 7-12

This is not a sit-and-paint kind of camp. STEAM Studio Week is designed for curious kids who love to build, experiment, figure things out, and create with their hands.

Each day blends Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math into hands-on challenges that feel like play while developing real problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

Campers will design, test, build, explore, and create using a mix of art materials, recycled supplies, and unexpected tools. Along the way, they’ll collaborate with others, experiment creatively, and discover new ways of thinking through making.

Expect a week of thoughtful, hands-on learning where creativity and curiosity lead the way. Campers may come home talking more about what they discovered, tested, and solved than what they brought home — and that’s exactly the point.

Inventive, engaging, and full of “aha!” moments — the Vortex way.

Epic Art age 5-12

Welcome to Epic Art Camp! Every week welcomes new exciting projects!
We spend our days exploring new materials and creative projects — from drawing and painting to crafting, building, handwork, and wonderfully wild ideas that encourage kids to think outside the box. Campers typically create 3–5 unique projects each day, keeping busy hands and big imaginations fully engaged.

We balance our studio time with outdoor play in our magical forest backyard and silly group games that spark creativity, collaboration, and fun all day long.

August 3–7

Epic Art

We balance our studio time with outdoor play in our magical forest backyard and silly group games that spark creativity, collaboration, and fun all day long.

August 10–14

Nature-Based Epic Art Week

Create, explore, and connect with nature through epic art projects.
This week, campers celebrate the wonders of the natural world by making art inspired by the materials nature provides. Using everything from traditional art supplies to leaves, rocks, sticks, and found treasures, the possibilities are as limitless as the outdoors around us. We’ll even explore the scenic trails in our beautiful village for added inspiration.

Some collaborative land art will remain in our magical Vortex woods as part of a special outdoor installation.

There may be fewer physical projects coming home, but campers leave with incredible memories, fresh inspiration, and a new appreciation for creating outdoors.

Perfect for kids who love the outdoors and using creativity to explore the world around them — this is a week of unforgettable art and adventure.

The Ultimate Messy Art Camp age 5-12

Get ready for the messiest, most unforgettable week of creative chaos at Vortex!
This camp is not for the faint of heart — or for pristine clothing. Be prepared to spray down your camper before they hop in the car, laugh at the hilariously messy photos, and maybe even retire a shirt or two. We’re taking art to a whole new level of joyfully messy, fun-filled creativity.

Messy Making Campers will dive into splatter painting, Pollock-inspired action art, finger painting, papier-mâché, chalk pastels, and glitter galore.

We’ll mix creativity with movement through wildly fun activities like paint water-balloon baseball and obstacle courses with an artistic twist.

Playful Chaos Alongside artmaking, campers will enjoy high-energy games and messy surprises designed to keep spirits high and imaginations wide open.

This week is 30% art, 40% epic mess, and 30% play — and 100% unforgettable. While there will be a few take-home creations, your camper might just be the ultimate masterpiece by the end of the day. Perfect for kids who love to get hands-on, laugh loudly, and fully embrace the beautiful chaos of creativity.

August 17–21

Make Stuff & Play Hard & village adventure

We mix cool, hands-on artmaking with imaginative, creative, and guided play throughout the day. From drawing and painting to crafting, building, and handwork, campers explore exciting materials while letting their imaginations lead the way.

Throughout the week, we’ll also head out on little village adventures around Wakefield, using the sights, sounds, and charm of our community as inspiration for creativity. Short walks, outdoor sketching, observation games, and playful exploration become part of the artistic process and add an extra layer of magic to the week.

Children create multiple unique projects each day while also enjoying playful moments, group games, and outdoor time in our magical forest backyard. It’s a balance of busy hands, big ideas, creative play, and local adventure that keeps campers engaged, inspired, and happily making all day long.

A joyful blend of art, imagination, play, and exploration — the Vortex way.

August 24–28

Make Stuff & Play Hard

back to scool! Thanks for the great summer!

Full Details about our epic art and our crafts and play camps!

Crafts & Play: Art & Fun Camp!

A perfect mix of creativity, play, and surprises for ages 5-10!

This camp is designed for our younger campers who love to create and craft but also need plenty of time to move, play, and have fun. Each day is a balanced mix of hands-on projects, active games, and unexpected surprises to keep the week exciting and engaging!

Creative Time: Spend 40% of the day diving into fun and age-appropriate arts and crafts projects.
Playful Fun: Another 40% is dedicated to games, outdoor activities, and free play to burn off energy and foster friendships.
Surprise Factor: The final 20% is reserved for special surprises—think scavenger hunts, themed activities, or a silly day twist!

This camp is ideal for kids who love variety and thrive in a playful, creative environment. Whether you join us for the full week or single days.

Epic Art Camp with Zebra

Our most beloved art camp, running strong for 8 years! Age 5-12

If your child loves art and wants to try a little bit of everything, Epic Art Camp is the perfect fit! Campers spend 80% of their time creating and getting wonderfully messy with a wide variety of projects. From drawing and painting to clay, 3D crafts, beading, sewing, collaging, and the fan-favorite “Messy Day,” the artistic possibilities are endless—we truly do it all!

For True Art Enthusiasts: This camp is designed for kids who live and breathe art. Campers work on projects tailored to their skill levels and interests, exploring and experimenting at their own pace.
What We Do: The entire day is devoted to making art, with breaks to eat, relax in hammocks under shady trees, and clean up after creative adventures.
What to Expect: This camp is all about art! It’s not focused on games or physical activities but instead provides a space where creativity takes center stage.
Take Home the Fun: Prepare for an artistic haul! By the end of the week, your camper will bring home a carload of masterpieces. Be sure to leave space in the car on Friday!
Make New Friends: Campers will connect with like-minded young creatives, forming friendships as they share their passion for art.

Perfect for kids who love to create, this camp offers an inspiring and immersive artistic experience they’ll never forget!

PLEASE READ To better understand our camps, themes, groups and other important general information

-We have 4 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.

If you are interested in a week that is full please email us to join the waiting list. With the date and theme you are interested in. artatvortexstudio@gmail.com

Forms

When booking camp we will require that you fill out NEW 2026 forms:

-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

NOTE- If your child has an aide at school or special accommodations, we recommend reaching out to us in advance so we can ensure we can provide the necessary support for them during camp. While we strive to accommodate all children, having a heads-up helps us make the best possible arrangements to meet your child’s needs. Thank you for your understanding!

Inportant things to note

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.

If your child has an aide at school, we recommend reaching out to us in advance with an information form so we can ensure we provide the necessary support for them during camp. While we strive to accommodate all children, having a heads-up helps us make the best possible arrangements to meet your child’s needs. Thank you for your understanding!

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 17th at 7:00pm we will be taking online bookings for 2026 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 some 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

We are happy to offer before and after camp child care, but please note the following details regarding availability, booking, and pricing.

How It Works:

Advanced Booking Required:
- Care must be booked in advance using the Before and After Care Form (click here to access the form).
- Include your camper’s name, camp group, dates, and the name on the credit card used for booking to ensure we can match your request with your file.
Payment:
- Invoices for care will be sent at the beginning of the following week.
- Payment is required for the full hour, even if your child is picked up early.
- If you have requested extended care in advance but not canceled it prior to the friday before camp starts you will be billed for it as we have scheduled staff.

Rates for Advanced Bookings:

If booked at least TWO WEEKS in advance:
- $17/hour for one child.
- $10/hour per sibling.
Before Care:
- Starts as early as 7:30 AM. Must be booked at least one week in advance to ensure staff is scheduled.
After Care:
- Available until 5:30 PM.

Last-Minute or Emergency Care:

Same-Week Booking:
- $20/hour per child. or $15 per hour per sibling
Availability is not guaranteed due to staffing limitations.
Same-Day/Emergency Care:
- $25/hour per child. Sibling rates do not apply
- Applies only to after care. Emergency care is NOT available in the mornings as staff is not on-site before 8:15 AM unless scheduled in advance.
- If emergency care is required and we cannot reach the guardian, we will contact the emergency contacts provided.

Age Policy

At Vortex Studios, our age groups are carefully structured to match project difficulty, themes, and developmental needs. We understand this may cause some inconvenience, but these requirements are non-negotiable to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all campers.

Age Requirements:

Minimum Age:
- Campers must be at least 5 years old on the first day of camp to attend, per insurance regulations.
- Example: If a child turns 5 on June 29th and the camp begins June 28th, they will not be eligible to attend until their birthday.
- Unless in the JR group age 3-6 years old
Skill Requirements for ART Campers:
- Campers must:
  - Be able to use a glue gun independently.
  - Tie a knot on their own.
  - Be willing and able to work on art projects for at least 90 minutes without interruption.

We greatly appreciate your understanding of these guidelines, which allow us to provide a safe, supportive, and age-appropriate environment for all participants.

General Refund Policy 2026

(If no government-mandated shutdowns or restrictions occur.)

Cancellations:

Up to 6 weeks before camp: 100% refund minus the $15 booking fee.
5 weeks before camp: 75% refund.
4 weeks before camp: 50% refund.
3 weeks before camp: 30% refund.
After 14 days before camp: No refunds or credits are available.

We are unable to provide refunds or credits for missed days due to illness or other personal reasons. 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.

Transfers:

You may transfer your camp spot to another person if:

You notify us in advance.
You facilitate all arrangements.
The new camper provides all required paperwork, including an emergency contact form, at least 7 days before the camp start date.
Both parties email us with confirmation of the transfer, including contact details.

In Case of Government-Mandated Shutdowns or Closures:

If a government-issued shutdown or “act of God” closure occurs, we will issue a full credit on a gift card for future use.

Illness Policy:

Please do not send your child to camp if they are showing signs of COVID-19, flu, or other illnesses.
In cases of illnesses such as COVID-19 or hand, foot, and mouth disease, campers must stay home to avoid spreading illness to others.
Refunds or credits cannot be provided for missed days due to illness or personal obligations.

Tax Information for Child-Care Deductions

Please note: Vortex Studios is not a full-time daycare, and as such, we are unable to issue RL-24 forms. However, we can provide the necessary information required by the Quebec government for tax deductions upon request.

To use our services toward your deductions, we follow the government’s guidelines:

As per the government website:
“If you are not required to issue RL-24 slips, you may provide receipts to persons who paid you for your child-care services. Your name, complete address, social insurance number, and signature must appear on each receipt.”

We are happy to provide these receipts with all required details.

Please request this information when booking or give us at least one week’s notice to prepare your receipt.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

Additional Information:

Questions? Please call us at Stella: 416-629-6504. We kindly ask that you refrain from emailing questions.

What to bring to camp

will be posted on a drop down menue and sent in an email closer to the camp start date

We are really looking forward to spending another creative, happy, healthy, safe summer with all of you!

When booking on square you will see camps listed with photos of animals. Those animals are the mascots for the tents. On the fist day of camp our camp leaders hold large stuffed animals representing their tent