Week 3: July 3-7

Tuition: 385

Course: Cryptids are interesting creatures that may or may not exist, like Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, fairies, and more! We will spend this week reading about these creatures and making crafts inspired by them. We may even make some cryptid discoveries of our own!

Instructor: CFS Lower School Teacher Adrienne Flippin was born in Greensboro, North Carolina and raised in the New Garden Friends Meeting community. She earned her undergraduate degree in Literature from UNC-Asheville and her Masters of Arts in Elementary Education from UNC-Greensboro.

She spent many summers working as a camp counselor, and later on as a camp director, at New Garden Friends School. While living in Asheville, Adrienne served as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Asheville City Schools Foundation. She enjoys teaching through the lenses of experiential education and social-emotional learning. In her spare time, Adrienne likes reading, writing, hiking, and cuddling with her three sweet pets.

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week Three / July 3-7
Week Seven / July 24-28

Tuition: 350

Course: So many things to make! Air-propelled boats, paper designs printed with vegetables, tasty treats from our own recipes, and a miniature village! We’ll have fun making all kinds of things in this class. Have a parade? Run a restaurant? Create and play games? Whatever we do, we’ll make it fun!

Instructor: Bo Newsome is a musician (an oboist, composer, and educator), teaching students at his home (or on Zoom) and at Duke. He frequently creates and presents programs and residencies for young people, and attended workshops presented by Kennedy Center’s program for teaching artists. He developed a general music program and created original operas with children in a remote public school on an island in Maine. 

To satisfy his sweet tooth in a house with few sweets, Bo started baking pies, cakes, and cookies when he was little. Though he’s really never met a pie he didn’t like, he especially likes lemon, lime, and peach. In addition to cooking, Bo’s been a lover of animals, architecture, and art, and a collector of treasures as long as he can remember.

Tuition: 350

Course: Through a combination of theatre games and guided explorations, students will explore a familiar children’s story, with each student invited to step into the role of the protagonist. Over the course of the week, we will build an original performance—our own unique version of the story!—to be shared with friends and family in a final performance. This performance will be guided/narrated by the instructor, eliminating the need for heavy memorization, and will incorporate both group activities and moments for each individual student to step forward and shine.

Instructor: Blair Cadden is a director, theatre-maker, and teaching artist who is thrilled to be sharing her love of theatre with CFS this summer! She holds a B.A. in theatre from Wofford College and an M.F.A. in directing from Boston University. Blair is originally from Charleston, South Carolina, where she was the co-founding Artistic Director of the theatre company 5th Wall Productions. She’s taught theatre to students of all ages at Lexington Children's Theatre, Spartanburg Youth Theatre, Boston University, and–most recently–Duke University, where she is currently serving as Artist in Residence. 

When she’s not making or teaching theatre, you can find Blair cuddling with her beloved dog Moe, rock-climbing, baking cupcakes, or making very lumpy pottery.

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week One / June 19-23, Markeith Gary
Week Three / July 3-7, Emmanuel Oquaye
Week Five / July 10-14, Achiri Acha
Week Six / July 17-21, Markeith Gary
Week Seven / July 24-28, Markeith Gary
Week Eight / July 31- August 4, Emmanuel Oquaye

Tuition: 350

Course: An active, fun-filled week of sports adventure just for you! We learn how to play a variety of sports, focusing on skills and learning the rules. We work on team building and create some crafts that go along with our new indoor and outdoor games! We concentrate on learning how to play, building confidence, keeping in shape, and receiving guidance and encourage-ment from our coach. An excellent class for the active or wannabe active camper!

Instructor: Emmanuel Oquaye is in his first year working with us at CFS as a substitute teacher. He is excited to share his passion for visual and culinary arts with the students this summer. Emmanuel has served as a studio assistant and working potter at Durham’s Claymakers Studio since 2017. He also has experience assisting with the ceramic art program at Carrboro High School. Emmanuel has a wide range of interests, from cooking and baking to pottery and horticulture.

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week Two / June 26-30, Bryson Byrd
Week Three / July 3-7, Bryson Byrd
Week Four / July 10-14, (Jr. ages 5-7) Bryson Byrd
Week Five / July 17-21, Cheryl Meyer
Week Six / July 24-28, Kelsie Yohe

Tuition: 350

Course: LEGO camp is just around “the block!” We will have a fun-filled week of building with our extensive LEGO sets. Students are invited to create structures, vehicles, animals, cities and fantastical scenes while they explore the fundamental principles of engineering! New sets appear each year–from Minecraft and Ninjago to Star Wars and the LEGO movie. Come dive into thousands of LEGO blocks and see where the adventure takes us!

If you have LEGO you would like to bring to camp, please visibly mark them well so they will not get mixed in with the Summer Programs sets.

Instructor: Bryson Byrd was born and raised in Durham and when not in school could be found exploring the adventurous countryside of the county on horseback. She has been working as a camp counselor and instructor since age 12. Bryson also worked at the Durham Performing Arts Center for more than eight years.

After graduating from North Carolina Central University with her bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, she started work on her master's at UNC Charlotte in Elementary Education. When not at summer camp you can find Bryson at George Watts Montessori Magnet as an IA, or on her family farm with her family, horses, pups, and sunshine. 

Tuition: 365

Course: Time to make your dinner experience complete! Join us as we learn how to make delicious cookies that will become lifelong favorites! We’ll get into the kitchen and start with some simple recipes, then do some research to find more unusual or enticing ones, then put on our aprons, get out the oven mitts, locate the mixing bowls, and get started. YUMMMMM! Students are asked to wear full foot coverings (so, no sandals or flip-flops).

Instructor: Tom Latimer has been running camps at CFS for 14 years. He has been teaching for 25 years and has a Masters degree in elementary education. He currently teaches 2nd grade at Immaculata Catholic School in Durham and plays guitar in Chapel Hill band Zoltar’s Fortune. 

Tom lives in Chapel Hill with his wife Alison and their two cats Nora and Lionel. He enjoys seeing and playing music, eating at our local restaurants, collecting vinyl records, and working with kids.

Tuition: 350

Course: Building your best self from the inside out through engaging activities for every part of you! During this eclectic and interactive week, we’ll experience goal-setting, yoga, obstacle courses, self-reflection, games, challenges, and self-advocacy. Each session will vary depending on the needs and interests of the group. Come ready for fun and adventure both inside and out.

Instructor: Tracy Schledorn just finished her first year as a CFS staff member. She teaches health and life classes across units and is the school counselor for the Middle School. Before that she worked as a teacher and school counselor in Alamance County for 21 years. She enjoys gardening and exploring with her husband and two young children. Tracy adored summer activity camps growing up and is always ready to learn something new. As a life-long athlete, she enjoys a variety of activities and relishes the opportunity to have fun and play!

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week Three / July 3-7
Week Five / July 17-21
Week Eight / August 7-11

Tuition: 350

Course: Celebrate your love of all things Harry Potter as you create themed crafts, play wizard games, and whip up tasty snacks. During camp you will be sorted into a house so that you can mix and mingle with Gryffindors, Slytherins, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws. Then, you'll spend your time immersing yourself into the world of Harry by making memorabilia and creating memories that you can enjoy for years to come. Activities include creating your own wand, making "potions," and enjoying playing the game of Quidditch!

Note: Previous knowledge of the Harry Potter series is helpful when participating in this course.

Instructor: Cyrise Davis holds a B.A. in Art Education K-12 and a B.S. in Commercial Art and Photography. In addition to her freelance photography, she worked for 10 years as an art and photography teacher at The Hawbridge School in Saxapahaw, as a site coordinator and lead teacher for a middle school after-hours program, and as a YMCA summer camp counselor.

For eight years, Cyrise served the CFS family as the Extended Day (AfterHours) Director, substitute teacher, and Summer Programs instructor. Cyrise employs her child-centered style of teaching (and passion for art, engineering, and science) to help CFS summer students and Lower and Middle Schoolers learn to explore and create.

Tuition: 350

Course: Challenge yourself with something new and enjoy a timeless camp sport with archery. You will learn the proper technique of grips and stance and draw from our wonderful instructor, using the beautiful expanse of our 126 acre campus and some well placed hay bales. All experience levels are welcome, so come take a shot!

All archery equipment will be provided.

Instructor: Brad Stackhouse has been working with kids since he was old enough to work. Having worked in youth programs around the world, he has learned to lead from behind, letting the kids lead the way, supporting them in whatever way they need. He has a wide range of interests including building, growing, cooking, gaming, music, dance, sports, and storytelling, and is willing to give just about anything a shot. He’s passionate about community development and engagement and building a healthier, more sustainable society. 

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week One / June 19-23
Week Three / July 3-7

Tuition: 350

Course: Calling all Pokémon trainers who just gotta catch ‘em all! Come enjoy a weeklong exploration and appreciation of the world of Pokémon. In this course, we’ll dive into the Pokémon Trading Card Game to learn how the game is played, understand different cards’ values, and improve strategy. During the week of fun, we will learn how to make Pokémon decks as well as how to become better Pokémon trainers. By the end of the session, everyone will be well on their way to becoming a Pokémon master. All levels of experience with the Pokémon Trading Card Game are welcome. Participants are invited to bring their own cards, but decks, play mats, and other game supplies will be provided for everyone.

Instructor: Owen Bauer-Lepofsky has been at CFS for 14 years, starting in Campus Early School, and will head to college in Boston this fall. He has created and led LEGO camps for 4-8 years olds, helped at his mother’s preschool, and served as a Teaching Assistant for several years in the CFS dance program. He is an avid Pokémon Trading Card Game player, and earned his invitation to 2019 and 2020 World Championships during his first two seasons of competitive play. Owen created and has co-led the Pokémon camp in CFS’ Summer Programs since its inception in 2019.

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week Two / June 26-30
Week Three / July 3-7

Tuition: 365

Course Description: Ever wanted to learn how to write your name in frosting, dust cakes with chocolate powder patterns, create strawberry flowers, use fondant, and create fancy cupcakes and chocolate-dipped strawberries that look like tuxedos, or mold your own chocolate? It is an art form! We'll do all of that and more, starting with easy designs on cardboard before making our own frosting, cakes, cupcakes, and chocolates to decorate. Design your own theme or go wild with abandon and have fun creating edible works of art. Please bring a small notebook for recipes, ideas, and ingredients lists.

Please note that, unfortunately, we may not be able to accommodate dietary restrictions in this class.

Instructor: Karen Clark is a science teacher at Immaculata Catholic School in Durham. She teaches middle school, so enjoys working with other age groups during the summer. She has three wonderful kids and an overprotective mini schnauzer named Heidi that keep her active. In her spare time (yeah, right) she enjoys playing the flute, reading mysteries, and doing puzzles.

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week One / June 19-23
Week Two / June 26-30
Week Three / July 3-7 (Advanced)
Week Four / July 10-14
Week Five / July 17-21
Week Six / July 24-28
Week Seven / July 31-Aug 4 (Advanced)

Tuition: 350

Course: For our older students, here’s an opportunity to enhance your skills in comic drawing. Led by Jamie Charles who has been teaching Comic Design in CFS Summer Programs for many years, the workshop provides a meeting place for expanding skills and talents. You do NOT have to have taken Comic Design prior to this. This is for those students who want to work a bit intensely on their creations. Share your techniques, exchange tips, learn new skills, collaborate with a partner, and learn from the community.

Instructor: Jamie Charles, a working illustrator, graduated from UNC-G in Fine Arts. Besides exhibiting his own work, Jamie works at CFS as an art instructor for Middle School students. He is also a champion Capture the Flag leader, having coached his workshop groups to many victories (not that he is bragging). Jamie offers private lessons in drawing and art.

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week One / June 19-23, Matt Walters
Week Three / July 3-7, Chloe Gillespie

Tuition: 350

Course Description: Here's a chance to build up your wilderness survival skills! Learn how to (safely) build and cook over a campfire, put up a tent or build a shelter, recognize local trees, plants, and animals. We’ll develop an understanding of intense survival situations and how to get out of them. And put our abilities to the test. For the hardy, the adventurous, the nature lover, and the fun-seeker. Prepare to get wet!

Instructor: Chloe Gillespie (they/them) is an outdoor enthusiast, athlete, and artist. They have a passion for helping guide kids towards becoming their best selves through art, recreation, and talk therapy. They are currently enrolled in Durham Technical Community College and working towards their associate in arts with hopes of transferring to a four-year college. Their goal is to eventually graduate with a masters in psychology in order to work as a school counselor.

Chloe attended Friends School from kindergarten through high school and graduated with the class of 2019. They have returned to the CFS community as a cross country coach, a basketball coach, and a soccer coach, as well as a substitute teacher for the Middle School. This is their second year leading summer camps and they are very excited to work with children as they learn and grow through fun activities, socialization, and exploration.

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week One / June 19-23, Chloe Gillespie
Week Two /  June 26-30 (Soccer),  Carly Campbell
Week Three / July 3-7, Achiri Acha
Week Four / July 10-14 (Soccer),  Tony Arias Sorto
Week Eight / Aug 7-11, Achiri Acha 

Tuition: 350

Course: Can’t get enough of sports? We totally understand. Some of our students take sports all summer. So we get it. We introduce basic rules, strategy, and techniques of basketball, Frisbee, soccer, and some indoor gym games (as well as Capture the Flag!) for the fun of playing. We focus on technique, skill development, and team building. All activities take place on our outdoor playing fields (using cooler morning temperatures) and in our two air-conditioned gym facilities. Sports experience is absolutely not necessary. Our goal is for you to learn how to play so you’ll feel comfortable knowing the rules, understanding the strategy, and practicing good teamwork. We don’t stress competition. We're here to help you improve your game and have fun.

Instructor: Achiri Acha has been at CFS since he was six years old! He mentored with Jordan Shamp in Sports camp, became a Counselor-In-Training, and then moved on to become a camp assistant and instructor for the past eight summers. Achiri has worked in Extended Day at Lerner School and School’s Out Camps at the Jewish Community Center and currently works at USA Ninja Challenge during the school year. Achiri's goal is to be an elementary school physical education instructor and coach.

Tuition: 350

Course: Calling all fashion lovers! We’ll learn how to hand embroider, create lino block prints for fabric, and sew our hearts out in this camp focused on sustainable fashion. Using thrifted finds or our own old clothes we never wear anymore, we’ll give these clothes and fabrics new life. You’ll leave with some awesome new wardrobe pieces and crafting skills that you can continue to use for your whole life. 

No previous skills or experience necessary, just an excitement to learn and create!

Instructor: Ruthie Allen (she/her) is a lover of puzzles, cooking, crafting, and education. She began working in Summer Programs in 2018 as the Extended Day Coordinator, then in 2019 as the Assistant Director, and in 2020 and 2021 as the full-time Summer Programs Coordinator. Ruthie loves Summer Programs, and she’s excited to return this year as an Instructor. She has her degree in education and public policy from UNC Chapel Hill, has earned her Early Childhood Education accreditation, has worked as a math teacher in the CFS Middle School, and has worked with Peaceful Schools NC, a CFS-based non-profit focused on Restorative Practices in education.

Ruthie is half of Pain & Panic, where she collaborates with a friend to create original clothing and accessories she sells in local art markets. She’s also the founder of the “Triangle Tennis Alliance,” a local group for queer tennis players and loves to play with them every week. Ruthie has also directed many plays and musicals, including with local children’s theaters. She looks forward to another awesome summer with CFS!

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week One / June 19-23, Tony Arias Sorto
Week Two / June 26-30, Meaghan Kachadoorian
Week Three / July 3-7, Tony Arias Sorto
Week Five / July 17-21, Meaghan Kachadoorian

Tuition: 350

Course: What makes you a more effective leader and team player? Let us show you some tools. Using group building games, art, theater, movement, discussion, and individual reflection we learn and practice leadership techniques. We will work as individuals and as a group to enhance confidence, cooperation, and communication. The workshop is an excellent exercise in developing leadership skills for jobs and community roles. 

If you're interested in being a Counselor-In-Training (ages 13-15) in CFS Summer Programs, this course is a prerequisite. We work through some basic “how to deal with” situations, focusing on conflict resolution and effective ways of listening and responding. And no, we do not sit in chairs throughout the day listening to lectures! This is an active course culminating in a "shadow day" as a CIT and a certificate of successful leadership training completion.

Instructor: Tony Arias Sorto is from Honduras and moved to Massachusetts in 2014. He relocated to North Carolina in 2018 and before coming to CFS was the Before and After Care Program Coordinator at Leesville Elementary in Raleigh; Tony is now a teacher in the CFS Lower School. He earned his A.A. in Education, his B.A. in English, and a master's degree in Leadership for Sustainability, and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Leadership for Sustainability. Tony believes in creating spaces for children to fill with laughter and he’s very excited to join the CFS team for a second summer!

He was raised playing soccer but enjoys anything from volleyball and basketball to slacklining and trail running. Tony lives in Pittsboro where he loves running with his two dogs and exploring the woods.