This project-based summer camp engages middle school youth in exploring design thinking processes and visual arts. The camp has grown from a one week pilot program in 2013 to a 7-week program in 2019 (there was no program in 2020 due to the Coronavirus Pandemic). The camp has evolved over the years based on camper and parent input, as we continually modify various aspects to meet the needs of the campers and community. Explorations are tied to developing skills while also allowing them to develop their artistry, encouraging them to think outside the box and follow their ideas in whatever direction they want. The journey takes campers from what they know best (themselves) and moves outward to their families, culture, local community, and beyond. We had planned to expand the camp to include sessions during the school break in February and Spring Break in 2020. We did have the session in February 2020, but the Coronavirus Pandemic derailed school break camps from March 2020 through 2022.
Art & Design Thinking Camp
As a twelve-year-old, I had a very narrow view of what science was. I thought it was interesting, but not very fun or engaging. The Art & Design Thinking Camp was one of the first things that exposed me to art and science together, and made me think of what I previously thought of as boring ideas in a fun and engaging way.
>>>>> Miriam
A STEAM focused, project based summer program for middle school students.
In 2021 we kept in mind students’ experiences during the pandemic, with camp journeys centered on their perspectives. Campers had the opportunity for reflection and dreaming while creating projects that expressed their unique points of view. The program included 3, 2-week sessions and was presented via distance learning, with some in-person activities included. Materials were provided via “kits” that were distributed in person at the beginning of each session. Focused Learning was online via Zoom and Tinker Time was asynchronous, with staff available via Zoom for questions. Activities were designed to be engaging, dynamic, and innovative. As one camper remarked during a weekly Student Showcase, “I was surprised at how fast the time went by!”
We are excited to return to in-person programming for the 2022 Summer camp.
The camp operates Monday – Friday, from 9:00am to 3pm daily.
The dates for the Summer 2022 camp are June 21st through July 29th, 2022. There is no camp on Monday, June 20th in observance of Juneteenth, and on Monday, July 4th in observance of the Independence Day Holiday.
Visit the camp website for additional information and to register at:
The Art & Design Thinking Camp was the 2016 Microsoft/KCI Innovation Award Grand Prize winner for innovative programming in the Bay Area, and is listed on Stanford’s d.school Design Thinking in Schools K12 website.
We are excited to return to in-person programming for the 2022 Summer camp. It will be held at the Renaissance at Fisher Middle School campus from June 21st through July 29th, 2022.
Weekly Themes:
- Week 1 (June 21 – 24):
Up-cycled Art - Week 2 (June 27 – July 1):
The Art of Comics - Week 3 (July 5 – 8):
Video Game Design - Week 4 (July 11 – 15):
STEAM Smorgasbord - Week 5 (July 18 – 22):
Product Design & Prototyping - Week 6 (July 24 – 29):
Soft Engineering: Sewing & Plush Design
The 2021 Summer program was held virtually and at our Makerspace on the Mathson Middle School campus from June 14th through July 23rd, 2021.
Session Themes:
- Session 1 (June 14 – 25):
Fantasy Character Design - Session 2 (June 28 – July 9, no camp on July 4th):
Art & the Environment - Session 3 (July 12 – 23):
Design Your World
The 2020 February program was held at our Makerspace on the Mathson Middle School campus from February 18th through February 20th, 2020.
Daily Themes:
- Day 1 (February 18):
Circuits - Day 2 (February 19):
Paper Techniques - Day 3 (February 20):
Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose
There was no Summer 2020 Summer program due to the restrictions resulting from the Coronavirus Pandemic and the number of COVID cases affecting our community.
The 2018 Summer program was held at our Makerspace on the Mathson Middle School campus from June 24th through August 9, 2019.
Weekly Themes:
- Week 1 (June 24 – 28):
Art & the Environment - Week 2 (July 1 – 5, no camp on July 4th):
Peer Projects & Tinkertime - Week 3 (July 8 – 12):
Fantasy Character Design - Week 4 (July 15 – 19):
STEAM Smorgasbord - Week 5 (July 22 – 26):
Design Your World - Week 6 (July 29 – August 2):
Sustainability Design - Week 7 (August 5 – 9):
Tinkering, and More Tinkering
The 2018 Summer program was held at our Makerspace on the Mathson Middle School campus from June 25th through August 10, 2018.
Weekly Themes:
- Week 1 (June 25 – 29):
Art & the Environment - Week 2 (July 2 – 6, no camp on July 4th):
Peer Projects & Tinkertime - Week 3 (July 9 – 13):
Visual Storytelling - Week 4 (July 16 – 20):
Fantasy Character Design - Week 5 (July 23 – 27):
Engineering for Your Environment - Week 6 (July 30 – August 3):
Design Your World - Week 7 (August 6 – 10):
Tinkering, and More Tinkering
The 2017 Summer program was held at San Antonio Elementary School from June 26th through August 11, 2017.
Campers explored the following themes:
- Week 1 (June 26 – 30):
Art & the Environment - Mini Week (July 5th – 7th):
Engineering for your Environment - Week 2 (July 10 – 14):
Hands on Quirkbot - Week 3 (July 17 – 21):
Visual Storytelling - Week 4 (July 24 – 28):
Animated Film Making - Week 5 (July 31 – August 4):
Fantasy Character Design - Week 6 (August 7 – 11):
Design Your World
Visit the camp website for detailed information and to view pictures of the campers in action at:
The 2017 camp received Financial Support from:
The San José’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Google, and individual donors.
As well as In-Kind Donations from:
The Alum Rock Union Elementary School District; Okada Design; Google, Michele Guieu, Kim Mesa; Dennis Chan; Alyssa Winans, Lauren Cage, and Justin Gabaldon.
The 2016 Summer program was held at San Antonio Elementary School from June 27th through August 5, 2016.
Campers explored the following themes:
- Week 1:
Design Your World - Week 2:
Art and the Environment - Week 3:
Fantasy Character Design - Week 4:
Adventures with Arduino - Week 5:
Storytelling with Circuitry - Week 6:
Game Design
Visit the camp website for detailed information and to view pictures of the campers in action at:
The 2016 camp received Financial Support from:
The Cognizant, San José’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and individual donors.
The 2015 camp received Financial Support from:
The Alum Rock Union Elementary School District; Krause Center for Innovation (KCI); Strawbees, Okada Design; Mentor Graphics, Cliff Bar; Kim Mesa; Kenneth Hawthorne, Dennis Chan; and Alyssa Winans.
The 2015 Summer program was at Renaissance Academy at Mathson Middle School, from June 22nd through July 31, 2015.
Campers explored the following themes:
- Week 1:
Video Game Design - Week 2:
Design your World - Week 3:
LEGO Robotics - Week 4:
Fantasy Character Design - Week 5:
Vehicle Design Challenge - Week 6:
Adventures in Circuitry
Visit the camp website for detailed information and to view pictures of the campers in action at:
The 2015 camp received Financial Support from:
The City of San José’s Safe Summer Initiative Grant Program, San José’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and individual donors.
As well as In-Kind Donations from:
The Alum Rock Union Elementary School District; Krause Center for Innovation (KCI); Okada Design; Mentor Graphics, Cliff Bar; Arlene Illa, Kim Mesa; Dennis Chan; and Alyssa Winans.
The 2014 camp was at Renaissance Academy at Mathson Middle School June 30 to August 8, 2014. Click here to view the 2014 ADTC Report.
Campers explored the following themes:
- Week 1:
Toy Design & the Art of Games - Week 2:
Stop Motion Animation (short films) - Week 3:
Pattern Design - Week 4:
Designing Your World - Week 5:
Public Space Design - Week 6:
Traditional Art With a Technology Spin
Visit the camp website for detailed information and to view pictures of the campers in action at:
The 2014 camp received Financial Support from:
The San José’s Office of Cultural Affairs: the City of San José’s Safe Summer Initiative Grant Program; Donor Circle of the Arts, a donor advised fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation; and Youth Connections Foundation of San José.
As well as In-Kind Donations from:
The Alum Rock Union Elementary School District; Krause Center for Innovation (KCI); Okada Design; Artist Michele Guieu; Mentor Graphics, Cliff Bar; Hal Rucker; Arlene Illa, Dr. Christian Page and David Okada – Retired Senior Vice President at Mattel Toys.
The Art & Design Thinking Camp Pilot Program at the Mayfair Community Center, July 1st to 5th, 2013 (no class on July 4th).
Campers explored paper-making, automata, circuitry, solar energy and much more, all in the context of public art and public community spaces. Students also explored art techniques, public art projects, and documented their own learning, discovery and synthesis of design thinking. Program evaluation and student feedback informed the curriculum design of the 6-week summer program.
Visit the camp website for detailed information and to view pictures of the campers in action at: