Summer Camp for Creative Youth
At Camp Adler, creative young people (ages 5-11) explore and expand their skills in art and performance. During each three-week session, campers will enjoy conservatory-level art classes, movement/dance, improv, musical theater, songwriting, and choir classes. Beyond the creative class experience, campers also participate in a variety of group games and activities, and get to explore within our Forest/Nature programming. The final Thursday evening of each session is Camp Adler’s Celebration of the Arts! Students art work is displayed throughout the Adler Arts Center building and grounds and students perform on an outdoor stage for their friends and family! Campers must have completed at least one year of school (kindergarten and up) to attend Camp.
2026 Session Dates:
Session I:
June 8 – 26 (3 weeks)
Sold out
Session II:
July 6 – 24 (3 weeks)
Sold out
TIME | ACTIVITY |
| 9:00am | Camp Begins |
| 9:10-9:45am | Squad Time |
| 9:55-10:55am | First Period |
| 11:05am-12:05pm . | Second Period |
| 12:15-12:45pm | LUNCH |
| 12:45-1:30pm | Squad Time |
| 1:40-2:40pm | Third Period |
| 2:50-3:50pm | Fourth Period |
| 4:00pm | Camp Ends |
Camp Adler Curriculum Overview
At Camp Adler, our curriculum is intentionally designed to balance structure, creativity, and joyful exploration. While camp feels fun and spontaneous to campers, each day is grounded in a thoughtfully developed, professional arts education framework.
Daily Schedule at a Glance
Each camper participates in four classes per day.
Visual Art
Music
Theater
Dance
Nature & Environmental Arts
Because of scheduling, space, and instructional balance, campers receive four out of the five disciplines during a session. This structure allows for deeper engagement, smoother transitions, and a better overall experience for all campers.
During registration, parents are asked to rank the five subject areas in order of preference. These rankings help inform scheduling decisions, but placement in specific classes is not guaranteed.
Once schedules are set:
There is no guarantee that a camper will receive their top-ranked subjects
Schedules cannot be changed after placement
Course switching is not permitted during the session
This policy ensures fairness, consistency, and a stable learning environment for campers and teaching artists alike.
Campers still experience a rich, balanced arts curriculum every day without overload.
Professional Instruction
All classes are led by professional teaching artists with backgrounds in their respective fields. Our instructors are not only skilled practitioners, but experienced educators who know how to meet children where they are, whether that means structured skill-building, imaginative play, or collaborative creation.
Three-Week Curriculum Structure
Each discipline follows a three-week thematic arc, allowing campers to:
Build foundational skills
Experiment and explore creatively
Collaborate with peers
Work toward a culminating experience or informal sharing
Rather than isolated, one-off activities, campers engage in progressive lessons that grow in depth and complexity over the session.
Visual Art
Campers explore a range of materials and techniques – such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media- while learning how artists express ideas visually. Projects emphasize process, creativity, and confidence over finished perfection.
Music
Music classes introduce rhythm, melody, and sound through singing, percussion, movement, and listening. Campers may experiment with instruments, compose simple pieces, and learn how music tells stories and builds community.
Theater
Through improvisation, storytelling, character-building, and ensemble games, campers develop communication skills, empathy, and self-expression. Theater classes emphasize collaboration and imagination rather than memorization or performance pressure.
Dance
Dance classes focus on movement, rhythm, and creative expression. Campers explore different styles and learn how bodies move through space, building coordination, confidence, and physical awareness in a supportive environment.
Nature & Environmental Arts
Nature classes connect creativity with the outdoors. Campers observe, explore, and create using natural materials while learning about the environment, mindfulness, and the relationship between art and the natural world.
What This Means for Campers
Every child experiences multiple art forms every day
Lessons are age-appropriate, inclusive, and adaptable
Creativity is encouraged alongside structure
Social-emotional learning is embedded naturally through collaboration and play
What This Means for Parents
Camp Adler offers more than childcare or isolated art projects. Our curriculum is:
Intentional – designed by professionals
Balanced – structured yet playful
Progressive – skills and ideas build over time
Holistic – supporting creative, social, and emotional growth
Campers with Unique Learning Needs
Camp Adler is committed to creating a welcoming, supportive environment for all campers. Our teaching artists and counselors work with a wide range of learning styles, abilities, and social-emotional needs.
Upon registration, families are asked to share as much information as possible about their child, including (but not limited to):
learning differences or accommodations
sensory sensitivities
behavioral or emotional support needs
social considerations
medical or developmental information relevant to the camp day
The more we know in advance, the better we can:
support your child’s success
prepare teaching artists appropriately
create a positive experience for the entire group
While we make every reasonable effort to support individual needs, Camp Adler is a group-based, arts-focused program and may not be able to provide one-to-one support or specialized services.
Families are encouraged to reach out to Sarah Cohen, Camp Director (sarah@adlercenter.org) before registering with questions or concerns so we can plan together as proactively as possible.
Campers
Camp Tuition – $1100 per 3-week session ($366/week)
Campers MUST enroll in all 3 weeks. We do not prorate.
You may pay in two installments. Balance due May 17. There is a $25 fee. Tuition and extended care fees are non-refundable. We recommend purchasing camp insurance.
After Care – $150 per session, per camper
Enroll in After Care when you register for camp. After Care begins at 4:15pm and ends at 6pm. After two late pick-ups, children will be automatically enrolled in After Care for the entire three-week session. We do not offer Before Care.
Camp Insurance – $150
To give families additional flexibility and peace of mind, Camp Adler will continue offer camp insurance this year. Camp insurance is $150 per child and covers both sessions of camp. Purchase insurance for each camper when you enroll. If your plans change before June 1 and you need to withdraw from camp, your tuition will be refunded no questions asked. Conversely, if the Adler Arts Center experiences a coronavirus closure, you will receive a prorated refund.
MEDICAL FORM
Does your camper have allergies or medication that they need to take while at camp? Fill out the form below and email to sarah@adlercenter.org.
Junior Counselors
The Junior Counselor Program offers young teens (entering 7th – 10th grade) an opportunity to learn the basics of camp counseling, while participating in all the fun of Camp Adler. Junior Counselors participate in community art projects, lead their own activities for campers, and assist in fine arts classes.
Junior Counselor Tuition – $825 per 3 week session ($275 per week)
Junior Counselors MUST enroll in all 3 weeks. We do not prorate.
Details
TIME | ACTIVITY |
| 9:00am | Camp Begins |
| 9:10-9:45am | Squad Time |
| 9:55-10:55am | First Period |
| 11:05am-12:05pm . | Second Period |
| 12:15-12:45pm | LUNCH |
| 12:45-1:30pm | Squad Time |
| 1:40-2:40pm | Third Period |
| 2:50-3:50pm | Fourth Period |
| 4:00pm | Camp Ends |
Who can attend Camp Adler?
Camp Adler is open to children ages 5–11. Campers must be of the appropriate age on the start date of the session they are registering for, and must have completed a year of kindergarten. Youth entering grades 7–10 may apply for our Junior Counselor Program.
Where does the camp take place?
Camp Adler takes place at the Adler Arts Center. Camp classes take place in outdoor classrooms whenever possible. In the event of extreme heat or heavy rain, all camp activities will be conducted indoors.
How does camp insurance work?
To give families additional flexibility and peace of mind, Camp Adler will offer camp insurance this year. Camp insurance is $150 per child and covers both sessions of camp. Purchase insurance for each camper when you enroll. If your plans change before June 1 and you need to withdraw from camp, your tuition will be refunded no questions asked. Conversely, if the Adler Arts Center experiences a coronavirus closure, you will receive a prorated refund.
What is your 2026 refund policy?
Tuition and extended care fees are non-refundable. We recommend purchasing camp insurance.
Can my child enroll in half-day camp?
No. Camp Adler no longer offers a half-day option.
Can my camper build their own schedule?
No. All campers will experience ALL the fun that Camp Adler has to offer.
What is the Junior Counselor Program?
The Junior Counselor Program is designed to offer young teens entering 7th–10th grade an opportunity to learn the basics of being a camp counselor. For more information, please visit our Junior Counselor FAQ.
How are campers divided into Squads?
Campers are divided into coed squads based on age. Each Squad is capped at 15 campers. We are unable to guarantee that friends or siblings will be in the same squad.
Who staffs the camp?
6 camp counselors, 6 faculty, the Head Counselor, Assistant Camp Director, and Camp Director.
Will there be a performance at the end of each session?
Yes! There will be a Celebration of the Arts on the final Thursday of each session from 6–7:30pm.
What should my child bring to camp?
Water bottle, packed lunch labeled with camper’s name, backpack or small bag, insect repellent, sunscreen.
What should my child NOT bring to camp?
Personal electronics, toys, cellular phones.
Do you allow nut items at camp?
Due to allergies and dietary restrictions, please do not bring nuts, nut products, chocolate, legumes or any type of fish to camp.
May I send treats with my camper to share with the other children?
As many of our campers have allergies, please do not send any food for your camper to share.
What kind of medical and emergency information do you need for my child?
If your child is currently taking any over-the-counter or prescription medication, a Medication Information Form must be filled out. The Adler Center may only administer medications if we have this form on file. Please list any allergies on your registration form in the medical section. If your child has an IEP or 504 Plan, please provide a copy so we can better facilitate the instruction of your child.
Do you administer first aid? How do you handle emergency situations?
Minor bruises, bumps, bug bites, and wounds will be taken care of at camp. If anything more serious arises, we will contact you immediately. If emergency care is required, we will call an ambulance, which will go to the closest medical facility.
What should my child wear to camp?
All campers should bring an art smock or an old t-shirt to protect their clothes. Water games are often played during squad time, so we recommend sending an extra change of clothes in case they get wet.
Can I visit during camp hours?
Daytime visits are welcome but limited to early pick-ups, camper office check-ins, and item drop-offs. For the safety of all campers, we kindly ask that families do not visit classrooms or join campers for lunch. Please remember to sign in and out at the administrative offices.
What are your drop-off and pick-up procedures and attendance policies?
Drop off begins at 8:45am. Pick up begins at 3:50pm. If your camper will be absent or late, please contact the Adler Center office at (847) 367-0707 or sarah@adlercenter.org. If your camper will arrive late, or leave early for any reason, please come to the reception desk to sign-in/out. We do not accept early pick-ups after 3pm. If you need to pick up your camper early, please do so before 3pm.
For your convenience, the Adler Arts Center offers child care after summer camp.
After Care is a time of unstructured play, supervised by Camp Counselors. Pre-registration is required.
After Care is offered from 4:15 – 6:00pm ONLY and costs $150 per session.
There are no refunds on After Care payments and no discounts for early pick-up.
After two late pick-ups, your child will automatically be enrolled and you will be billed $150.
We will not offer morning before care.
The Adler Center will open at 8:45am.
The Adler Arts Center gives financial aid to both children and adults for private lessons, camps, and classes based on financial need. You must show valid proof of family income, which must include income of both parents, guardians, or any other adults in the applicant’s address.
Total (Gross) Income / Number of Family Members
| Subsidy | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 75% | $14,580 | $19,720 | $24,860 | $30,000 | $35,140 | $40,280 |
| 50% | $18,080 | $24,720 | $30,860 | $37,000 | $43,140 | $49,280 |
| 25% | $21,580 | $29,720 | $36,860 | $44,000 | $51,140 | $58,280 |
Questions? Email ellen@adlercenter.org
FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION
