Since its founding in 1953, Allens Lane Art Center has been a cornerstone of the Mt. Airy community by bringing the residents together to participate in and enjoy the arts. Whether its art classes for children or adults, amazing art exhibitions or cutting edge plays on the mainstage, there is something for everyone at Allens Lane.
Questions? Summer Art Camp has it's own phone number: 215.248.0559
Allens Lane Summer Art Camp welcomes campers from all over the area (ages5 - 12) to come and join in the fun. Allens Lane Summer Art Camp offers a unique blend of arts and athletic activities that gives each child a fun and memorable summer experience. The camp employs sports specialists as well as professional artists and art teachers to help our campers in the numerous activities we offer.We believe that it is just as important to exercise the mind as it is the body (especially during the summer) so we make sure to take advantage of our unique campus in the middle of Fairmount Park.
Each week campers spend time in our art studios, dance studios and theater as they learn from our team of well qualified professionals as well as spend time outside enjoying our open fields, playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts. Additionally, campers are taken on weekly field trips to area arts and cultural institutions as well as bi-weekly swimming sessions (Roxborough Y). During the fourth and eighth week of camp, campers put on a gallery exhibition in our art gallery and a performance in our theater for family and friends. It's what art camp is all about! For the parents/guardians, a newsletter is sent home each week to keep you informed of upcoming activities. We've also got our own youtube channel that lets parents see what fun and activites our kids are up to. Campers bring their own lunch (we refrigerate). Snacks are provided during PM extended hours.
Dates & Hours
Parent Orientation: Sunday, June 3 , 2012
12:00 - 2:00pm
*Pre-Camp Dates: June 18 - 22, 2012
Camp Dates: June 25 - August 17, 2012 There will be no camp on Wednesday, July 4th. Camp will resume on Thursday, July 5th.
Regular Camp Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm
We also offer additional AM and PM hours (at an extra charge) to accommodate you.
AM Extended Hours: 7:30am – 8:30am
PM Extended Hours: 3:30pm – 6:00pm
* Pre-Camp is a week of camp (scaled-down version) that is designed for campers who may have an early end to their school year. Pre-Camp is discounted from the regular camp because there are no field-trips or swimming but does include extended hours.
Open House
Please join us on Sunday, May 20, 2012 from 11:00am - 2:00pm.
Our Open Houses allow parents/guardians a chance to see the facility, meet the Camp Director, ask questions about our Summer Art Camp, and make registrations. Many first time campers find it useful to see the facility before attending so they know where they will be going once camp starts.
Camp Health Form - All parents must fill this out and return it prior to the start of their child's start of camp.
Activities
Our Summer Art Camp follows our mission of making the arts accessible to our entire community by giving our campers exposure to a wide variety of the arts and culture coupled with sports and play.
Arts and Culture
Campers attend classes in clay, painting & drawing, crafts, circus arts, dance, voice and theater - campers get to pick a favorite and take additional special classes in what they like.
Campers perform two theatrical shows (week 4,8)
Campers exhibit their artwork in our art gallery
Weekly field trips to exciting regional arts and cultural sites (see examples below)
Special weekly performances by invited artists (musicians, storytellers, etc..)
Sports and Play
Swimming twice per week at an off-site location (Wednesdays with instruction and Fridays Pool Games at the Roxborough Y). Swim is well supervised.
Playground, basketball and tennis courts with instruction.
A variety of indoor and outdoor cooperative games (weather permitting).
Fun activities for creative kids.
Crazy dress up and theme days.
Special rainy day activities.
Weekly Field Trips (2011 examples)
Mural Arts Tour
Bartram Gardens
Philadelphia Magic Gardens
Upper Darby Performing Arts Center (Narnia)
Dutch Apple Theater (Wizard of Oz)
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Camden Aquarium and Children's Garden
Oasis Family Fun Center
C.I.T. Program
The Counselor-In-Training program for teens entering 9th through 12th grade has always been a special part of our camp. The deadline to apply is March 1.
Jr. & Sr. Counselors
Counselors - All campers are grouped by age, with a leadership team of three counselors per group (we strive for a ratio of 1 counselor for every 6 campers). All camp staff are selected for their maturity, responsibility, experience and sensitive understanding of children. Art, ceramics, dance and drama are taught by professionals. Many teach classes at Allens Lane Art Center throughout the year. Red Cross certified instructors supervise swimming activities. Additionally, all counselors attend a mandatory CPR class (taught by the Red Cross).
Employment Opportunity:Allens Lane Art Center invites applications for Junior and Senior counselors each year for our Summer Art Camp. Deadline is March 1. Click here for our online camp employment form.
Camp Staff
Director - Sherry Ashton
A love of the arts has always played an important role in Ms. Ashton life. She started her professional career in the performing arts as a dancer and went on to become an actor, teacher and choreographer. She had principle parts in several movies, toured internationally with a dance revue and did a short national tour with a children's theater ensemble. She has belonged to several dance and theater companies, the most notable being the 127 th Street Repertoire in New York City. She taught classes for and directed several Summer Arts Enrichment Programs, along with the ongoing year long programs.
