SUMMER CAMP 2025
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
join THE STARDUST 24-25 space krewe!
LEARN about our upcoming journey:
THE MISSION: The STARDUST 24-25 Space Crew is on an epic quest to launch Ziggy Stardust back to space for the Kings of Karnage Reunion Show. Help us free Planet Zanzibrax from IGRAC and their relentless interest rates once and for all!
YOUR ROLE: First we build the spaceship… then our journey through the galaxy begins. This is more than an art class… Join our SPACE CREW! LEARN MORE
ABOUT SUMMER CAMP:
Students learn advanced visual and performing arts skills under the guidance of professional artists. We encourage students to express themselves and take charge of their own creative journey.
Daily schedule includes morning and afternoon art classes, with daily trips to Markey Playground and Clouet Gardens. We swim once a week through NORD’s Summer Aquatics Program. Every Friday we have a Pizza Delicious Pizza Party. Sessions conclude with a final presentation and art show for family and friends!
ADDRESS: The Tigermen Den, 3113 Royal St in the Bywater
AGES: 7 - 14. Ages vary by class
TIME: 8:30am - 3:30pm. Aftercare available until 5:30pm, $75/week or $20/drop in
COST: $375/week. Includes registration deposit and all materials
SCHOLARSHIPS & SLIDING SCALE:
RISING ARTISTS PROGRAM: We provide up to full tuition scholarships for students based on financial need. The largest scholarships are reserved for students with the most financial need. Applications for Spring Break and Summer Camp are due Feb 7. Awards will be sent Feb 13. APPLY HERE
SLIDING SCALE: We offer discounts up to 25% for families that do not meet income requirements, but still need financial assistance in order to attend classes. Enter the discount code SLIDING10% or SLIDING25% at checkout to utilize this program.
InFO & IMPORTANT POLICIES
CLICK to view our behavior expectations, daily schedule, refund policy, aftercare info, outdoor play, electronics policy, photo release, dog information and more. Please thoroughly review all content before enrolling in our programs.
WAITLIST
If you are interested in a sold out class, we highly recommend adding your name to the online waitlist by visiting our registration platform Coursestorm. Often spots will open up early on and throughout the spring.
register for summer camp:
When you click on the classes below, you will be directed to CourseStorm, our registration platform. You will be prompted to log in or create an account. Reserve your spot with a $50 deposit per class. You can pay in full or select a monthly payment plan.
JUNE 23 - 27: Bywater Mid Summer Mardi Gras Parade Camp, Ages 7 - 14
JULY 21 - AUG 8: Culinary Arts & Set Design (Three Weeks - Register by the week), Ages 8 - 14 Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3
SCROLL to the following section TO VIEW CLASS DESCRIPTIONS, PHOTOS and videos
camp descriptions:
Creative Writing, Illustration and Scriptwriting
June 2 - 6, Ages 8 - 14
In this Creative Writing class, students will harness the power of words and images to craft their own story or script and design a beautifully bound book. They’ll explore the fundamentals of storytelling, including plot, setting, characters, conflict, resolution, and building tension. Throughout the week, students will use a blend of writing and illustration to draft, refine, and publish their stories.
Students can also choose to further develop their skills by taking either a Bookbinding or Screenwriting class. In Bookbinding, they’ll dive into the art of creating unique covers and binding their books or journals using collage, painting, and sewing techniques. In Screenwriting, they’ll learn how to format and structure their stories for the screen, making this a great choice for those planning to attend Film Camp the following week and adapt their scripts into short films.
The class concludes with a special book reading and art showcase, where students share their creations with family and friends. This course is ideal for budding writers and storytellers ready to bring their ideas to life!
FILM CAMP (two weeks)
June 9 - 20, Ages 10 - 14
In this TWO WEEK session, students will develop their filmmaking and storytelling skills as they conceptualize and produce their own narrative short films. Working in small groups, students will collaborate to write scripts, build sets, create props and costumes, rehearse, film, and edit their projects.
The first few days focus on film theory, cinematography, production design, directing, and performance. Afterward, campers will spend most of the workshop bringing their vision to life. Along the way, they’ll gain digital media skills, including animation and designing movie posters and graphics using Canva.
This workshop is open to students of all experience levels, and participants will choose their roles based on their interests. Emphasizing the idea that anyone can be a filmmaker, students will independently shoot and edit their films using gear specifically designed for iPhones and iPads. By the end of the workshop, they’ll have the skills and confidence to create their own movies at home.
Students will also get a glimpse into the New Orleans film industry, renting props from our partners at Creative Film Connections and visiting Cote Blanche Productions to film on a professional green screen. For those interested in screenwriting, we recommend enrolling in our Creative Writing Camp (June 5–9) as a complement to this course.
The workshop concludes with a Film Premiere at the Broad Theater, where students will share their films with family and friends on the big screen!
JUNETEENTH: Thursday, June 19th, is an optional day for students. We'll celebrate the contributions of historical and contemporary African American filmmakers through film screenings and a talk from a local guest speaker. This day is also set aside for editing, so students who choose not to attend won’t miss any filming.
bywater midsummer mardi gras parade camp
June 23 - 27, Ages 7 - 14
Join us for the 3rd Annual Bywater Midsummer Mardi Gras, featuring the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band—hosted by our Art Camp 504 students! This year, the Stardust 24-25 Space Krewe is blasting off with cosmic costumes, dazzling throws, giant puppets, spaceship floats and more.
Students will learn how to design and sew their own costumes using patterns on a sewing machine, and will transform recycled materials, old costume pieces, and unexpected objects into extraordinary creations. Those with a flair for movement can join our Parade Dance Troupe, creating exciting performance elements for the parade, while our builders will collaborate to design and decorate an intergalactic bicycle spaceship float. Meanwhile, our young chefs will whip up tasty treats for Friday’s Space Cantina.
The camp culminates with the Bywater Midsummer Mardi Gras Parade on Friday, June 27, at 6:30 PM, followed by a neighborhood porch concert with Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Come celebrate, catch some throws, and dance the night away!
fantasy camp (four days)
June 30 - july 3, Ages 7 - 14
Unleash your imagination in Fantasy Camp! Dive into distant realms as we dream up and create fantastical characters through two engaging workshops: Dungeons & Dragons and World Building.
Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is one of our most popular classes, teaching teamwork, problem-solving, character development, and even math. Students will be grouped by experience level, ensuring everyone has a fun and exciting adventure tailored to their skills.
In the World Building workshop, students will bring their characters to life through drawing, writing, and roleplay. They’ll craft their own armor and accessories using kid-friendly cardboard-cutting power tools and sculpt and paint miniatures of their D&D characters.
We’ll also introduce LARPing (Live Action Role Play), where students will act out thrilling scenarios from their D&D adventures. Camp culminates in a live-action performance for family and friends, showcasing the incredible characters and worlds created throughout the week. The sky’s the limit—let the adventure begin!
toy design expo (two weeks)
July 7 - 18, Ages 7 - 14
The only thing more exciting than playing with toys is designing them! In this creative and hands-on session, students will challenge themselves to craft fun, durable, and one-of-a-kind toys using a variety of art supplies and unique found objects.
The adventure begins with students forming their own toy companies—either individually or in groups. They’ll develop a brand, write a mission statement, and design business cards, logos, and marketing posters to showcase their creations.
Toy-making options include puppets, stuffed animals and clothes, trading cards, dollhouses, action figures, board games, and more. Students will also design packaging and tags and price their toys for sale.
Every afternoon, we’ll “test” the toys through organized play sessions, providing opportunities for collaborative feedback and improvement. On the final day of camp, students will set up booths to present and pitch their innovative creations at the Toy Design Expo for family and friends!
culinary arts & set design (THREE WEEKS)
July 21 - aug 8, Ages 8 - 14
This beloved camp session is now THREE weeks long! Register for one, two, or all three weeks.
Calling all young chefs, set designers, and performers for the most out-of-this-world session of the summer! Over three exciting weeks, we’ll transform the Tigermen Den into the extraterrestrial landscape of Planet Zanzibrax. Students will rotate between cooking, set design, and performance classes as they prepare for our unforgettable galactic adventure.
In culinary class, students will begin with kitchen safety and food prep fundamentals, mastering a variety of dishes that span global cuisines—with a special focus on New Orleans flavors. As the camp progresses, we’ll dive into creating space travel sustenance and imaginative extraterrestrial delicacies. Imagine the possibilities!
When not in the kitchen, students will help build a living set, constructing our spaceship, a planetary research basecamp, and habitats for alien life forms. They’ll also design and craft costumes to bring their characters to life—astronauts, aliens, chefs from the stars, cosmic creatures, and more!
This all leads up to the grand event: The Kings of Karnage Reunion Show to Free Planet Zanzibrax! On Friday, August 8, enrolled families are invited aboard the Stardust 24-25 Spaceship to explore Planet Zanzibrax. Guests will enjoy intergalactic bites prepared and served by our students while immersing themselves in the world we’ve created.
But the journey doesn’t end there! After a brief hiatus, students are invited to return in mid-September for the public opening of this otherworldly theatrical and culinary adventure. Together, we’ll continue our mission to free Planet Zanzibrax from the clutches of IGRAC, the galaxy’s most fearsome realtors. Join us for this epic journey of creativity, cuisine, and cosmic exploration!
you’re the teacher camp
aug 11 - 15, Ages 6 - 14
Wow, it’s hard to believe summer is coming to a close! Our final session is all about our students taking the lead—what do you want to create and explore?
Students will learn how to plan and teach their own short activities for their peers, including gathering materials, creating example projects, and breaking lessons into manageable steps. Each day will feature exciting events like fashion shows, puppet performances, and talent showcases. We’ll also clean out the fridge and whip up creative dishes using leftover ingredients.
This relaxed and reflective week is designed to help students wind down from summer and ease back into the school mindset. For this session only, drop-in days are available.
The week wraps up with a student-led presentation for family and friends, showcasing their creativity and leadership. Let’s make the most of our last week together!
