Week 5: July 19 - 23

Tuition: 345

Course: Come learn dances from all over the world. Fan dance, afrobeats, salsa, ballet, and more! We’ll have fun exploring various cultures by seeing how they express themselves through dance. We’ll also have the chance to show off our own dance moves and dances that are important to our families. Get ready to get your groove on!

Instructor: Nylah Jimerson graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2017 with a B.A. in Psychology. As a Durham native, she has always been familiar with Carolina Friends School, but was so excited to become a part of the community in 2013 as a UNC work-study student at CHES. In her free time, Nylah loves hiking with her brothers, crocheting, and spending time with her adorable cat and dog, Sebastian and Kovu. She is so thrilled to spend another year making art, exploring outside, and learning with the students.

Tuition: 320

Course: There are numerous benefits of learning a second language at an early age. This course is for all the children who want to experience the fun of learning the Spanish language in a Hispanic environment with a native teacher. Students will have the opportunity to learn Spanish through play as well as stories and songs in Spanish, dances, and more. At the end of the week we’ll perform using our new language skills.

Instructor: Kelly Yupanqui is from Perú and moved to the United States in 2005. She earned her B.S. in Elementary Education and her M.Ed. in Educational Administration at Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Perú. Kelly got her certification as a Montessori Teacher from the American Montessori Society.

She has taught different levels of students for 25 years in public and private settings in her native country and in the USA (including now at Carolina Friends School). Kelly loves to dance, sing, play the guitar, cook, do arts and crafts, and be outside and she enjoys sharing all her talents and her native Spanish Language during Summer Programs.

Tuition: 320

Course: Get ready to rock in this music camp! We will spend the week playing and learning songs to play on the drums, guitar, bass, keyboards, and various percussion (among other instruments). We are looking for campers who want to sing, dance, play instruments (and make instruments to take home), and write songs. At the end of the week we will stage a concert and the performers will each get a CD of their music to take home. We will have guests come in to show/play various interesting instruments and we’ll enjoy music-themed games during the week. If you like music and having fun, this is definitely an experience for you!

Instructor: Tom Latimer has been running camps at CFS for 13 years. He has been teaching for 23 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, watching sports (mainly the Tar Heels and the New York Jets), collecting vinyl records, and working with kids.

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week Three / July 5-9
Week Five / July 19-23

Tuition: 320

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.

Seven years ago Cyrise joined the CFS family as the Extended Day (AfterHours) Director, substitute teacher, and Summer Programs instructor. Currently, Cyrise is the CFS art teacher for Fountain class (3rd and 4th years) while working with teachers and students throughout the school day. 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 Five / July 19-23
Week Six / July 26-30

Tuition: 335

Course: It’s time to get cooking! In this course for younger students, we'll stir up some favorite foods using simple recipes. Ever wonder how ingredients work together to make tasty foods? We’ll find out while we make things we love—pancakes, pizza, mac & cheese, omelettes, a pie, and cookies. After we’ve done our cooking and worked up an appetite playing outside each day, we’ll sample our yummy creations. 

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.

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week Five / July 19-23 (ages 7-12)
Week Seven / August 2-6 (ages 9-15)
Week Eight / August 9-13 (ages 9-15)
Week Nine / August 16-20 (ages 9-15)

Tuition: 320

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!

About Triangle Ultimate: 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!

Course: A mandala is a complex abstract design that is usually circular in form. In fact, "mandala" is a Sanskrit word that means "circle." Mandalas generally have one identifiable center point, from which emanates an array of symbols, geometric shapes, and forms.They can also contain recognizable images that carry meaning for the person who is creating it. We will design and create different-themed mandalas (i.e. nature, animals, hobbies) in this relaxing and inspirational class.

Instructor: Polly Clark grew up in California and then traveled cross-country to Connecticut College, where she got her B.A. in English. Following that, she got her M.A. in Counseling Psychology at Santa Clara University, but after 9/11, reevaluated her career goals and decided to pursue what she had always wanted to do, which was TEACH! She earned her teaching credential and then taught for 14 years as a third grade teacher at Jensen Elementary School in Castro Valley, California.

In 2018, with her three kids starting their own journeys into adulthood, Polly and her husband, Kevin, decided to leave the increasingly frenetic pace of the Bay Area and move to beautiful Chapel Hill. She taught 4th grade for one year at Carrboro Elementary School and has taught the past two years at Carolina Friends School Middle School where she’s also an advisor. She loves teaching at CFS for many reasons; one of which is she is able to pursue her passion for drawing and painting by teaching art electives during the school year, and art camps in the summer!

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week Three / July 5-9
Week Five / July 19-23

Tuition: 320

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 12 years, starting in Campus Early School and is now rising to 11th grade in the 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. 

Jon Lepofsky is a current CFS parent and former CFS staff member. He has been an educator for over 20 years, including time as a CFS Summer Programs instructor. He also founded and served as the Academic Director of the Duke Neuro Camp through Duke University’s Youth Programs. Jon has a Ph.D. in Geography from UNC, where he now teaches. Originally from the Boston area, Jon enjoys cheering on the Red Sox (as well as his adopted Durham Bulls), spending time with his kids while driving them to Pokémon competitions, and reading. Jon has co-led the Pokémon class in CFS’ Summer Programs since its inception in 2019.

Tuition: 335

Course Description: What else can you make in a muffin tin besides muffins and cupcakes? All sorts of things! Come join us on a culinary adventure that includes frittatas, French toast bites, pancake dippers, granola, pizza, mac n cheese, tacos, burgers, cheesecake, and more! And bring your 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 21-25
Week Two / June 28-July 2
Week Three / July 5-9 (Advanced)
Week Four / July 12-16
Week Five / July 19-23
Week Six / July 26-30
Week Seven / August 2-6 (Advanced)

Tuition: 320

Course: Addicted to comics? Doodle in class? Come create your own comic book characters and stories. Bring creativity, imagination, and motivation along with your pencil. Exchange ideas, receive input, and work on technique with a professional comic artist. There’s also time for Four Square, games, and Capture the Flag. Oftentimes, campers take multiple sessions. Please bring pencils, erasers, and favorite drawing pens. (Two Advanced Comic Design sessions are available for those who want to expand their skills.)

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 21-25, Achiri Acha (in-person)
Week Five / July 19-23, Marshall Wilfong (in-person)
Week Seven / August 9-13, Achiri Acha (in-person)
Week Nine / August 16-20, Marshall Wilfong (virtual)

Tuition: 350

Course: Prepare to enter a world of endless creativity and exploration. For nearly a decade Minecraft has soared in popularity across the world and has developed a massive fan base with both children and adults, including at CFS Summer Programs. In this offering, younger students will be introduced to the limitless artistic and creative possibilities that Minecraft has to offer.

Starting with an introduction in the basics of the platform, every student will be granted the opportunity to learn, grow, and create at their own pace. Beginning with things such as a simple brick house and working their way upwards and outwards to build and show off their own personal masterpieces.

We will be using Minecraft: Education Edition on Chromebooks.

Instructor: Marshall Wilfong was born and raised in Durham. An Eagle Scout from Troop 400, he’s been volunteering and working as a summer camp counselor since the age of 12. When he was 15 he got his first job as a merit badge counselor at Camp Raven Knob instructing First Aid, Search and Rescue, Safety, Camping, and Wilderness Survival. His time in the Scouts gave him a massive amount of respect for the outdoors as well as for the youth he instructs. Marshall has also been an after-school counselor at the Orange County Sportsplex and Aldersgate UMC.

He now works as the Extended Day Teacher for the Carolina Friends Middle School as well as a substitute for the Middle and Upper Schools.

Tuition: 320

Course: Musical Makers is a fun and imaginative class where students bring their ideas and stories to life! Young playwrights will make their own musical with other students and perform the original production with songs and script at the end of the week. This creative class is great for young performers and writers!

Instructor: Jesse Farmer is a recent Musical Theatre graduate from William Peace University. He has performed in many theatrical productions around the Raleigh area and he has a great passion for singing, dancing, acting, and music! Jesse is very excited to share his passion with young artists at Carolina Friends! He loves to collaborate, have fun, and make discoveries through theatre and storytelling. 

This course is offered in multiple weeks:
Week One / June 21-25, Adam B
Week Two / June 28-July 2, Achiri Acha
Week Three / July 5-9, Achiri Acha
Week Four / July 12-16, Adam B
Week Five / July 19-23, Adam B
Week Six / July 26-30, Tony Arias Sorto
Week Eight / August 16-21, Tony Arias Sorto

Tuition: 320

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, 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: Adam B is from eastern NC and grew up sailing and tinkering -- living on a sailboat for 5 years as a kid. They spent much of the following decade bicycle touring all over the place. Now they live on a working farm near Durham continuing to tinker on sewing projects, building projects, bicycles, and an old sailboat. They volunteered at the bicycle co-op in Carrboro for years and helped put on a bike and skateboard component of a summer camp there. Their favorite thing to do is work on projects with other people outside.

Tuition: 320

Course: Narratives! They move the soul and exist in all walks of life. Often the joy of narratives is lost in the trees of a normal educational career. In this workshop we'll approach the study of narrative from a new direction: Japanese Animation. Using Anime we will explore learning objectives from the North Carolina Grade 9-10 English Language Arts curriculum. Class activities will include watching anime, writing analysis, discussion, graphic and chart creation, and educational games. Some of the materials will be Rated TV-14 in the US and we will be following a high school level curriculum, however, the content will still be accessible for students under this age.

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: 320

Course: If you are obsessed with music and want to see what it’s like to play in a real band, grab your favorite instrument and join us for a week of summer Rock Band! We will learn the dynamics of each instrument and bring it together. The magic that happens when you play in a band is like no other! There might be some karaoke partying along the way and we will definitely be sharing our favorite music with each other. Students will choose songs as a group to perform at our concert on Friday! It’s guaranteed to be a blast!

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 CFS.

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). He helps beginner 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.