Week 4: July 10-14

Tuition: 385

Course: Campers will explore life as fairies know it during this week! We will learn all about fairies this week and create jewelry, fairy wands, pressed flower ornaments, and a fairy house. We will read books, have tea parties, dance to music, color and paint, and do special fairy crafts. This camp will nurture a love for exploring the outdoors and teach children to look for small signs of life that exist all around us.

Instructor: A California native, Stella Bowers (she/her) has been proud to call Durham home for 14 years. In May 2023 she will graduate from Meredith College with a B.A. in Psychology, a minor in Theatre, and a K-6 Teaching Licensure. She has almost 10 years of experience working with children as a babysitter, nanny, camp counselor, party princess entertainer, and student teacher. Her life’s passion is teaching and nurturing a love of learning in her students. In her free time Stella can be found creating art, reading, participating in local theatre productions, thrifting, and making music. This is her first year teaching CFS summer programs. 

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: 350

Course: Brrrrr... did someone say it’s hot outside? Not here in Winter Summerland! We will spend a week beating the heat with our frozen fun and games. If you like snowball fights, igloos, popsicles, snowmen, candy canes, and anything winter you can imagine, you will love our chilly camp!

Instructor: Leites Chiong has been playing guitar for almost 30 years and teaching guitar for over a decade, with stints in various bands along the way. He's a father of four, including two children at Carolina Friends. Leites teaches all styles of music for acoustic and electric guitar, as well as bass guitar and Ukulele (including in CFS’ after-school music program for children AND adults from CFS or anywhere else). He helps beginners through advanced students learn how to play and how to write songs. Leites enjoys working with children and seeing the love of music grow within them.

Tuition: 365

Course: Do you enjoy relaxing with a pack of freshly-sharpened colored pencils, a lovely coloring page, and a delicious snack? If so, this week is designed for you. We will have a variety of coloring books and coloring materials, AND we will even design our own coloring pages and coloring materials! For our cooking, we will focus on making colorful foods that are pleasing to the eyes and to the taste buds.

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.

Tuition: 350

Course: Students will learn the basics of story structure, world-building, and character-building as they create their own original characters. Through improvisation, games, and guided explorations, students will put these characters into a short original play to be shared with friends and family.

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.

Tuition: 350

Course: The ocean is so deep and so wide- the fun here is never ending! Spend a week exploring many of the exciting creatures that live in the sea through ocean-themed crafts, activities, science experiments and games! 

Instructor: Shannon Neu joined the CFS Summer Programs staff in 2021 and is excited to be back for another fun summer! She earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from UNC-Greensboro in 2016 and has been a music teacher in the Wake County Public School System ever since. For fun, Shannon plays the oboe in the Raleigh Civic Symphony Orchestra and enjoys reading, hiking, gardening, and cooking. She lives in Raleigh with her husband (Logan), her two cats (Jasper and Ruby), and a lot of plants.

This course is offered in multiple weeks:

Week One / June 19-23, Kelsie Yohe
Week Two / June 26-30, Tracy Schledorn
Week Four / July 10-14, Kelsie Yohe

Tuition: 350

Course: Sharpen your sense of wow! In this hands-on, inquiry-based workshop. You are an artist and scientist all in one as you bring together familiar ingredients and transform them into the unexpected. The fun comes when you perform cool experiments that pop, bubble, and fizz! Tickle your senses and start to wonder about...What happens next? How does that work? What if I try this? We’ll explore the science behind your creations as we tinker and make lovely messes.

Instructor: Kelsie Yohe (she/her) is a second-year Ph.D. student at North Carolina State University in the Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis program. She was a second grade teacher in Wake County Public Schools for five years before heading back into the classroom as a learner. Kelsie lives in Raleigh, NC with her spouse (Hunter), their two dogs (Pepper and Harley), and gecko (Henry). When she's not buried beneath academic journals, she enjoys reading, knitting, and playing video games.

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week Four / July 10-14 (Ages 8-12), Brad Stackhouse
Week Eight / Aug 7-11 (Ages 8-12), Brad Stackhouse

Tuition: 350

Course: Player's Handbook sales are topping the bestseller lists! Self-published game supplements are breaking commercial records on Kickstarter! Celebrities are live-streaming their game sessions! These days, the classic fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons is experiencing a major renaissance. And it's no wonder! Playing D&D may activate a wider range of skills than any other game: puzzle solving, critical thinking, statistical analysis, interpersonal negotiation, theatrical performance, creative storytelling, and imaginative worldbuilding. And let's not forget dice rolling!

Students will build characters, play through adventures, and study the fundamentals of role-playing game design to discover what makes the best D&D sessions so memorable. By the end of the week, we'll use what we've learned to craft an original adventure for other players to experience. Whether you're a newcomer to the game or an avid fan, there's a place at the table for you!

Instructor: Brad Stackhouse has been working with kids since he was old enough to work. Having served 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. 

Tuition: 350

Course: When a story is set to music, it becomes something entirely new. Come explore the possibilities of sound and narrative with musician and writer Robinson Earle. We’ll discuss different genres, techniques, instruments, and cultures. We’ll play games that inspire creativity and develop skills. We’ll reflect on songs we love and write some of our own. No formal musical training is required. 

Instructor: Robinson Earle has been teaching music with an emphasis on folk songs for over a decade. His primary instrument is guitar, which he finger-picks in the “Piedmont” style. He is a songwriter, and leader of the Art-Folk trio The River Otters. In his free time, he likes to frolic through the woods with his wife, Sara Belle, their two daughters, Lyra Belle and Maizy Lee, and their beloved pup, Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater. He is a life-long animal lover and enjoys learning about critters of all shapes and sizes.

Tuition: 350

Course: Love acting? Love comedy? Sign up for Improv 101 to learn the basics of improvisational theatre! Throughout the week, students will learn improv games, character development, and other acting techniques, and will apply those skills in an improv show on Friday. Campers will also learn skills such as team-building and trusting one’s scene partner that can be applied on or off stage. Register for Improv 101 to become a better performer, make friends, and make people laugh! No experience necessary.

Instructor: Abby Kameny has been involved in Carolina Friends School Summer Programs for 18 years. She started out as a camper, served as a Counselor-In-Training, was hired to work in the Extended Day program, and then became an instructor! She received her B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Maryland, took a gap year to teach English in Spain, and is now back at UMD for her Master’s in teaching English to speakers of other languages. She has also been involved in theatre, improv, and singing throughout high school and college.

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week One / June 19-23
Week Four / July 10-14
Week Seven / July 31-Aug 4

Tuition: 380

Course: Anyone ever told you to “get lost?” If so, there’s no better way to take their advice than to delve into the amazingly expansive and immersive world of Minecraft. For a moment, let’s step away from the term “video-game” and substitute “wildly-versatile-open-ended-world-manipulating-art machine.” Minecraft’s critically acclaimed, sandbox-style gameplay is a constant exercise in collaborative exploration, goal-setting, and boundless “Imagineering”—whether hunting and gathering to build agrarian homesteads across various landscapes or configuring an automated railway/refinement system that acquires, transports, and processes raw materials the player can use to create their own scaled recreation of the Taj Mahal.

The objective of Minecraft Community is to “get lost, together,” building community. With a little direction and a lot of improv, students will enter into Minecraft’s Survival Mode, banding together to outlive the Mobs and Elements, within a democratic community. With inventive jobs (e.g. Hunters, Explorers, Architects, Artisans, etc.) and responsibilities and a community lot-casting system, students will forge ahead to establish a lasting society amidst wiles of Mobs and the unforgiving wildernesses.

We will be using Minecraft: Education Edition on Chromebooks.

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 seven 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: Change Makers is an immersive week of exploring self-confidence and leadership skills through engaging art activities, thought-provoking (and courageous!) conversation, and lots of other FUN activities! If you are a 5th-8th grade student with a passion for positive change, come give your leadership skills a boost and prepare for the amazing differences you’ll make in your school, your community and the WORLD! 
 
Change Makers summer camp is hosted by StrongHER TogetHER, a Durham, NC non-profit that teaches girls to rise above stereotypes that alienate them from one another and instead grow up to be women who understand the power of their collective strength in the fight for equity. Seeing the positive impact the camp has had on the girls in StrongHER TogetHER inspired the program to create a similar camp experience that is open to ALL of our community’s middle grade students.

Instructor: Cindy Moore has a background in school psychology with an emphasis in learning differences and ADHD. For the past 17 years, she has been the Learning Specialist at Durham Academy. Cindy loves kids - especially middle schoolers, and working with children to help them unlock and identify their BRAVE and BRILLIANT selves is the best part of her job. She lives in Durham and loves hanging out with her two daughters, Camille and Cecilia. 

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: This week's camp will be focused on improving Soccer skills for the low to medium experienced player. We'll be working on technical skills improvement through drills, rondos, and scrimmaging while having lots of fun. We'll also focus on teamwork and the excitement that playing Soccer brings. We will utilize our two large outdoor sports fields as well as our air-conditioned indoor gym facilities. The great Pelé reminds that Soccer is "The Beautiful Game." Let's play Soccer!

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 an assistant teacher in the CFS Lower School. Tony earned his A.A. in Education and B.A. in English and is currently pursuing a master’s 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. 
 

Tuition: 365

Course: We’ll make pies of all sorts--sweet, spicy, tart, savory, creamy, baked, and frozen. Any way we slice them, they’ll have our taste buds singing! There’ll be fruit pies with super-flaky pastry…but that’s just the beginning. We’ll also try our hands at making galettes, empanadas, quiche, and more. Get your taste buds ready!

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. His favorite pies are anything citrus, chocolate, pecan, peach, peanut butter, or coconut. I guess he’s really never met a pie he didn’t like. 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: 380

Course: Come find out how to create 2D and 3D crafts using a Glowforge laser-cutting system. We will learn how to create signs, puzzles, boxes, and more. Bring your innovative ideas and willingness to learn. Students will be introduced to vector-graphics programs like Vectornator and Inkscape in order to create graphics files to use on the Glowforge. 

No prior experience required.

Instructor: Chip Hale was a long-time resident of Carmel, California where he loved sailing, hiking, and participating in craft shows with items he made on his Glowforge. Now that he is living in Chapel Hill, he is still hiking and going to craft shows but had to swap in tennis and canoeing in lieu of sailing. He also is the Technology Director at CFS and enjoys working with students and staff of all ages.