Week 8: August 7-11

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week One / June 19-23
Week Two / June 26-30
Week Eight / August 7-11

Tuition: 350

Course: Help ignite a lasting interest in the most beautiful things our planet has to offer. During this exciting week-long program of activities we’ll see, hear and feel nature first hand. Fresh discovery awaits our young explorers through games, art, observation and adventuring. This introductory course is based on the Scandinavian Forest School model where direct outdoor experiences help to foster social skills, confidence, creativity, problem solving and much more.

Program Sessions Days

Nature’s Playground
Students participate in ecologically themed games that help build interpersonal relationships, collaborative skills and curiosity of the natural world.

Wildlife Detectives
On this fun day out, participants will learn some of the basics field skills needed for experiencing nature. We’ll learn how to use camouflage, stealth and listening skills to get up close and personal with those woodland creatures.We’ll look at tracks and signs and undertake the bird olympics challenge.

Creative Creatures
Through a variety of artistic methods, this arts-based day will use nature to inspire and encourage students to explore and celebrate their unique sense of creativity.

Micro-adventures
Students set out on a small adventure designed to cultivate basic outdoor skills (shelter building etc) and to encourage local nature exploration and a continued curiosity in the natural world.

Life aquatic
We will explore the creeks around school and use nets and tanks to catch amphibians, crustaceans, insects and other aquatic life.

Instructor: Mike Werndly (or Ranger to his friends) introduced our popular Nature Lab environmental education classes in Summer 2017. He is a lifelong birder and practiced field biologist and outdoor educator with a passion for sharing environmental experiences that promote awareness and respect of the natural world. Working and traveling in remote areas around the globe has given Mike a wide knowledge of the Earth’s habitats and ecosystems.

He’s been hooked on wildlife since a chance encounter with an owl when he was eight and hasn't looked back. He studied Ecology and Outdoor Environmental Education at university and has worked for numerous conservation organisations, including the Aigas Field Centre, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and Scottish Natural Heritage. Mike’s wildlife encounters have been numerous, but some memorable ones include being followed home one night by two otters and being covered head to foot in smelly seabird guano!

He moved from Scotland in 2016 and now lives in Hillsborough with his wife and two young children and their friendly food-crazy labrador, Fogo :0)

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 encouragement 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.

Tuition: 350

Course:  Over the course of the week, students will put together a full performance of a short scripted play. As they rehearse, they will be exploring the fundamentals of script analysis, character-building, and the use of body, voice, and imagination to create characters and bring a script to life. Students will also be introduced to the basics of scenic and costume design as they work together to create the world of the play, which will 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.

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.

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week One / July 10-14 (Ages 12-18)
Week Seven / July 31-Aug 4 (Ages 12-18)
Week Eight / Aug 7-11 (Ages 8-12)

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 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. 

Tuition: 350

Course: Join us for a week of exploration all about weaving and NC endangered animals! Let’s build simple tapestry looms, weave LARGE with gathered natural and unrecyclable materials, and assemble a great animal from the handmade parts. This week will also include a fun, animal-centered field trip!

Instructor: Jan French is a fiber artist and weaving educator/advocate, demonstrator, and collaborator weaving on location at schools, arts councils, museums, festivals, and Scrap Exchange events. She is a member of the Triangle Weavers Guild’s Education Committee and has instructed hundreds of folks of all ages how to build and weave delightful and useful items on a simple handmade loom.

Before coming to CFS in 2008, Jan worked in environmental and open space planning and lived for two years in Geneva, Switzerland. She has Masters degrees in Environmental Management from Duke University and in Landscape Architecture from North Carolina State University’s School of Design.

At CFS Jan has served students as Middle School substitute teacher, art project coordinator for three Martin Luther, King, Jr. Day celebrations, Science Day guest speaker, and Extended Day (AfterHours) staff. She’s also a former CFS parent!

Tuition: 365 (cost includes field trip expenses)

Course: Change Makers Challenge is a week-long adventure for young and aspiring creatives, teachers, leaders, healers, and good trouble makers on how to vision and create a more loving, peaceful, and just world through our individual and collective actions. We will learn about change makers all over the world and work together to explore all the ways we can make a difference in our schools, communities, and beyond through fabulous field trips, visual and performing art projects, time with amazing leaders in our area (virtually and in real time), and lots of time exploring our own super powers and possibilities! This includes learning and practicing cool ways to navigate change in our own lives. So Join us and be the Change! (And yes, change can be joyful and challenging at the same time! 

Instructor: Rinah Rachel Galper is the sole proprietor of Joyoushout, supporting youth and adult changemakers working at the intersection of justice, creativity, healing, and spirituality through consulting, coaching, enrichment classes, and community gatherings. Rinah is a licensed teacher, expressive artist, clergy member, activist, writer, group facilitator, nature guide, and healing practitioner. She has been providing summer camp adventures at CFS and throughout the Triangle since 2006 to nurture young people’s love and need for magic, mystery, mindfulness, creativity, connection, confidence, and joy.

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: Do you love movies and want to learn how to create your own? In this course we will spend some time talking about everyone’s favorite movies and the specifics of why you liked it. We will dissect the techniques the director used in specific clips and apply them to your own films. We will spend most of the time working in groups to create a short film of your group’s choosing. This will include filming as well as editing on iMovie. At the end of the course we will encourage everyone to share their films with the whole group.

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.