Cincinnati’s virtual arts and culture-centric Camp cARTwheel made a big impact this summer for children throughout the community and beyond. And with some help from organizations, artists and supporters, the interactive online camp will continue into the new year.
Camp cARTwheel held its inaugural session over the summer, after the majority of camps were canceled due to the pandemic.
Organized by ArtWorks, The Well and Wave Pool, the camp equips their virtual campers with art-making kits (that include supplies), and then guides them through fun classes and projects, led by over 40 artists and organizations, viewable on their Camp Channel.
“The feedback from summer campers, families, artists and art organizations, ArtWorks teen apprentices and our community partners made it clear that we needed to continue Camp cARTwheel into this challenging school year to continue to foster creativity, play, empathy and and connection,” Camp cARTwheel originator, Stacy Sims of The Well, said in a press release.
The sessions go beyond art projects, with classes ranging from dance and social justice to mindfulness.
Led by local artist and educator Julia Lipovsky, youth apprentices from ArtWorks will work as virtual counselors for the online sessions, in addition to other local “guest” artists and representatives.
Registration for the new session ends Oct. 15, and the fall camp will take place after school and/or on Saturdays from the week of Nov. 2 to Dec. 14.
Participants can choose from several different camp options, including free access to the Camp Channel; $30 camp kits for organizations serving youth; $60 for self-guided sessions; and between $60 and $120 for up to 12 after school and Saturday sessions.
“We are so grateful to ArtsWave, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, our summer camp families and art partners and artists who made the pilot possible and a true delight. We hope to see everyone back with us for the fall, with new collaborations and activities added,” Lipovsky said in the release.
The camp is reserved for youth between the ages of 6 and 12 years old.
For more information, visit Camp cARTwheel’s website.
This article appears in The Meaning of Monuments.