Week 8: August 3-7

Tuition: 430

Course: Are you raring to creek wade, search for salamanders, and build magnificent forts?  Then this camp is for you!  We will explore the creeks and forest of the amazing campus at Carolina Friends School, finding creatures, adventures, and friends along the way!

This camp will spend lots of time outdoors and will use one of our Lower School classrooms on main campus for eating, rest, and weather contingencies. 

Instructor: Natanaele served as an Extended Day teacher in our Campus Early School program. He brings a calm, thoughtful presence to his projects and to the people he works with. He focuses on being present, listening, and encouraging curiosity, reflection, and confidence in a gentle, supportive way. 

Natanaele is a multimedia producer and visual creator from Switzerland, now living in Durham, North Carolina. He studied multimedia production at the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons. His work includes film, photography, and digital design. He values simplicity, care, and thoughtfulness in his work. He enjoys supporting learning through creativity and time spent in nature, helping others explore and enjoy everyday moments.

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week Three / June 29- July 3, ages 6-9
Week Seven / July 27-31, ages 6-9
Week Eight / August 3-7, ages 5-7

Tuition: 395

Course: Come and learn about the magical world of fairies! We’ll learn about fairies and make our own fairy gardens, wands, and fairy trinkets to welcome our enchanted friends. Create special treats, potions, and crafts to add to our fairy collection. Enjoy tea parties in the fairy garden and read stories about fairies and their garden friends!

Instructor: Elyse Cole is a student at the University of Ottawa in Canada! She is studying psychology with a focus in child development. This will be Elyse’s 6th summer working at Carolina Friends School summer programs. She started as a CIT, then became an intern, and is excited to be an instructor this summer! Elyse grew up going to CFS summer camp and was inspired by the variety of camps opening up doors to new passions every summer! She rows for her university, but when she's not practicing or studying, she loves to crochet, read, paint, run, go to the gym, and craft. Elyse has been a swim instructor, nanny, soccer and volleyball coach, and her love and passion for working with kids has grown so much through her time at CFS. 

Tuition: 395

Course: Zines, Comics and Creative Story Telling Camp is a playful, hands-on art course for students ages 6–9 who enjoy drawing, storytelling, and making things with their hands. Throughout the week, campers will create their own zines—small handmade magazines—using drawing, simple comics, collage, and lots of paper-based art techniques.

Students will experiment with cutting, gluing, folding, and assembling pages while learning how images and words can work together to tell a story. The camp also includes fun, collaborative art games where students build on one another’s drawings and comic strips, encouraging creativity, flexibility, and shared problem-solving.

In addition to making zines, campers will create bookmarks and other small projects using a laminating machine, giving them finished pieces they can take home and use. The focus is on exploration, creativity, and enjoying the process of making art together in a supportive, low-pressure environment. No previous art experience is required.

Instructor: Jason Mullinax is a percussionist and music educator with many years of experience working with children and teens in creative, supportive learning environments. He is the founder of Music Discovery Lab, where he designs music programs that help students understand rhythm, learn to read and write music, and play confidently as part of a group.

Jason’s teaching style is calm, encouraging, and structured, helping students feel comfortable while developing real musical skills. He enjoys working with students of all experience levels and believes that music learning should be accessible, thoughtful, and engaging. Through bucket band, percussion, and ensemble-based activities, Jason helps students build focus, cooperation, and confidence while discovering the satisfaction of making music together.

Tuition: 395

Course: This course is designed only for students who will enter CFS Lower School this fall.

Let’s spend some easy days together reading great books, working on art activities, and also spending plenty of time outdoors enjoying free choice games and activities. Our books will inspire our projects. We may find ourselves working on origami, building castles, and writing stories together. It will be a fun and instructive week to enjoy some great literature along with good summer fun. For those campers who are about to enter CFS as students, this is an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the environment as we help you "slide in."

Instructor: Cheryl Meyer (she/her), is the River class teacher in the Lower School at Carolina Friends School. A Durham native, Cheryl has a B.A. in English and a certificate in Early Childhood Education from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Masters’ Degree in Library Science from North Carolina Central University. Over the past two decades, Cheryl has worked with children from ages 0-18 in a variety of classrooms and libraries, including an ESL classroom in Pohnpei, Micronesia! In her free time, Cheryl loves to kayak, make camp fires and explore with her two children. 

Tuition: 395

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: Martha (she/her) works as a visual art teacher for the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools. She loves watching students find their own creative paths in the art room and structures her teaching style with an open, choice based framework. Although she works as an art teacher, Martha has had many other career adventures including sushi chef, vegan baker and farmer.

Martha is an animal lover who fills her free time in her garden with her family...building their homestead with her husband (Dylan), daughter (Ruthie), mother (Ruth), three cats (Gilbert, Simon, and Lucy-Ann) and two speckled herding dogs (Luke and Monty-Don).

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week Four / July 6-10, ages 7-12 AND ages 11-16
Week Six / July 20-24, ages 7-12 AND ages 11-16
Week Eight / Aug 3-7, ages 7-12 AND ages 11-16

Tuition: 395

Course: It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a... Frisbee! Ultimate Frisbee is one of the fastest growing youth sports in the US, and we want to teach you how to play! Ultimate combines the continuous play of soccer, the end-zones of football, and the pivoting of basketball all with a frisbee to create a fast-paced, exciting game! This camp will teach the fundamentals of the sport, going over different types of throws and the basic strategies of offense and defense. Participants will learn about Spirit of the Game, a fundamental part of Ultimate that focuses on sportsmanship and respect for all players. Each camper will receive an Ultimate Frisbee disc with registration!

Instructor: Triangle Ultimate is a local nonprofit whose mission is to collaboratively build a community emphasizing accessibility, relationships, and engagement through learning, playing, and teaching the sport of Ultimate in the Triangle region of North Carolina. Triangle Ultimate is excited to strengthen our relationship with the Carolina Friends School community through great summer camp experiences. The camp will be led by some of the top leaders in the Triangle's Ultimate Frisbee community! 

Tuition: 410 

Course: How does a simple ingredient transform into a culinary masterpiece? Find out as we experiment with the four fundamentals of flavor: salt, fat, acid, and heat. Experience the science of flavor by conducting taste tests and cooking flavorful cuisine from around the world. Finally, we’ll get creative with signature dishes by adding new twists of flavor to classic recipes!

Certain dietary restrictions and allergies may not be able to be accommodated in this particular camp. If you have questions about possible accommodation possibilities, please feel free to email extendedLearning@cfsnc.org before signing up.

Instructor: Shay has recently started working at CFS as the Middle School Extended Day teacher and is excited to lead CFS camps for the first time this summer! Shay has nearly a decade of experience working with young people ranging in age from 2 weeks old all the way through young adulthood. One of her favorite experiences was spending two years working with LGBTQ+ youth in Jacksonville, Florida while completing her MSW at Smith College. Most recently, she has been having a blast volunteering with children and youth at Durham Friends Meeting. In her free time, Shay enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, learning guitar, playing word games, and exploring the outdoors. Her favorite place in the world is Puerto Rico, where her family is from, and she’s super pumped to attend the 2026 World Baseball Classic in San Juan this spring!

Tuition: 395

Course: Spin and dye sheep wool yarn. Magnify and compare natural and synthetic fibers. Collect usable parts and seeds from fiber and dye plants. Build a loom and weave cloth. By trying your hand at it yourself and learning a little about science and early technology, discover how humans made everyday clothing and shelter items from local plant and animal fibers. Fiber 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 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, Tiny Rug project lead, and Extended Day (AfterHours) staff. She’s also a former CFS parent!

Tuition: 395

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: Ron holds a BA in African American Studies from The University of Virginia, and a MA in Middle Grades Education from Liberty. For the past several years, Ron has worked in Halifax County School District in Virginia. During that time, he was primarily a social studies teacher, where he became the team lead for his 8th grade history team. For the past two years, Ron pursued a different passion, trying out life as an elementary music teacher in the same district. Regardless of the position, current colleagues and supervisors refer to him as "happy," "enthusiastic," "adventurous," "bubbly," and "project-loving."

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week Six / July 20-24
Week Eight / Aug 3-7

Tuition: 425

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: 395

Course: Unleash your creativity in this 5-day workshop that combines writing, movement, and video-making! Designed for kids aged 10-14, this hands-on experience guides participants through crafting unique stories, bringing them to life with expressive movement, and capturing the magic on camera. From character creation and storyboarding to filming and editing, students will develop skills in storytelling, teamwork, and creativity while having a blast. The week culminates in a mini film festival to celebrate their creations. Join us for an unforgettable journey of imagination and self-expression!

Instructor: Alexa (she/her) is delighted to return to CFS for her second year as a summer instructor! After teaching a week of Move, Write, Film: A Digital Storytelling Adventure last summer, she began her current role working as an Instructional Assistant at the Hill Learning Center. Last fall, she also worked as a CFS Lower School Guest Teacher. Alexa earned a B.S. in Psychology from Yale University and conducted research as an Education Studies Scholar. In her free time, she is currently enjoying exploring dance forms such as contact improvisation, spending time outside, and cultivating a life of play and curiosity.

Tuition: 395 

Course: Robinson has extensive knowledge of the nearby trail systems in the forests surrounding Carolina Friends School. He also packs a mean picnic lunch. Campers will start the day by planning their routes, packing supplies, and prepping their picnics. Then, they will venture in a bus to a nearby trailhead and start their hike. In addition to natural beauty, the campers will encounter old mills, gravestones, and other historic sites. There will be plenty of time for games, songs, sketching/photography, and whatever else the campers may enjoy in this peaceful woodland context. We will return to campus with plenty of time before pickup.

Instructor: Robinson Earle is a music and language arts teacher. He leads a Post-Folk trio called The River Otters. In his free time, he likes to frolic through the woods with his wife, Sara Belle, and their two daughters, Lyra Belle and Maizy Lee. He also enjoys playing sports, watching movies, and reading.

Tuition: 410

Course: Lights, Camera, Dinner! (based on Fork ‘n Film events) blends movies, food, and creativity into one unforgettable experience! Campers will choose a movie, then design a themed menu that syncs perfectly with key moments on screen. As the film plays, campers will prepare, plate, and serve food timed to match what’s happening in the story—bringing scenes to life through taste, presentation, and atmosphere. From planning and collaboration to execution and presentation, campers experience the magic of storytelling through food.

Certain dietary restrictions and allergies may not be able to be accommodated in this particular camp. If you have questions about possible accommodation possibilities, please feel free to email extendedLearning@cfsnc.org before signing up.

Instructor: Elizabeth, or Liz (she/her), is a third grade teacher at Lyons Farm Elementary in Durham. She teaches all subjects, and is proud to be identified as a highly qualified beginning teacher from the state of North Carolina, a Teaching Fellow, and a graduate of NCSU. Liz joined CFS summer programs last year, after being referred by her Aunt Julia (who just so happens to be the Upper School librarian here at CFS!). Her teaching philosophy focuses on embracing students’ individuality and fostering authentic growth, mainly through encouraging her students’ creative minds. 

In her free time, Liz enjoys playing games with her family, cuddling with her cat Squirrel, reading, doing pilates, watching theatre productions, and spending time with loved ones. She is also a published author, having authorship on conference papers and research papers on science education.

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week Four / July 6-10, ages 7-12 AND ages 11-16
Week Six / July 20-24, ages 7-12 AND ages 11-16
Week Eight / Aug 3-7, ages 7-12 AND ages 11-16

Tuition: 395

Course: It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a... Frisbee! Ultimate Frisbee is one of the fastest growing youth sports in the US, and we want to teach you how to play! Ultimate combines the continuous play of soccer, the end-zones of football, and the pivoting of basketball all with a frisbee to create a fast-paced, exciting game! This camp will teach the fundamentals of the sport, going over different types of throws and the basic strategies of offense and defense. Participants will learn about Spirit of the Game, a fundamental part of Ultimate that focuses on sportsmanship and respect for all players. Each camper will receive an Ultimate Frisbee disc with registration!

Instructor: Triangle Ultimate is a local nonprofit whose mission is to collaboratively build a community emphasizing accessibility, relationships, and engagement through learning, playing, and teaching the sport of Ultimate in the Triangle region of North Carolina. Triangle Ultimate is excited to strengthen our relationship with the Carolina Friends School community through great summer camp experiences. The camp will be led by some of the top leaders in the Triangle's Ultimate Frisbee community! 

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week One / June 15-19, Miriam, 12-16
Week Six / July 20-24, Emmanuel, 10-15
Week Eight / August 3-7, Miriam, 12-16

Tuition: 410

Course: If you have an affinity for the culinary arts and a curiosity about the science, then this is the camp for you! We will dive deep into physical and biological forces at play to bring us food that nourishes our body and soul. We will of course be tasting all sorts of things along the way! My hope is that at the end of our time together, you feel as though you have new appreciation for the astounding complexity behind food as well as its perfect simplicity. (Please note that while students will be cooking each day, they should still plan to pack or bring money to purchase lunch each day.)

This course will involve dealing with gluten, yeast, dairy, and other allergens. We want this learning opportunity to be accessible to all students, while also providing a comprehensive experience. If allergies are of concern please reach out before signing up to see if this camp would work for your student.

Instructor: Miriam is a high school science teacher in Caswell County.  A love of nature, gardening, and awareness of the importance of bees to our environment and the threats they face, led her to beekeeping, and she will be a certified beekeeper as of January of 2026.  

Her prior experience is in medical research, so exploring, discovering, and being creative in figuring things out with experimentation are favorite things to do!

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week Three / June 29- July 3
Week Eight / August 3 - 7

Tuition: 425

Course: Do you like to experiment with sounds or create your own music? Learn how to take your ideas and bring them to life in the studio. We will work with some of the latest digital recording software and effects, learn how to record instruments and vocals as well as learn how to produce digital music and beats. If students have their own computers or instruments they are welcome to bring them at their discretion, otherwise we will have access to everything we need on site. 

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 three 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.