Classes

Plan The Best Summer With Our 2023 Youth Summer Camp Guide

3.6.2023

2023 Youth Summer Camp registration is nearly here. With so many offerings we thought you might like a little help finding the perfect fit for your kiddo. Behold, our 2023 Youth Summer Camp guide, complete with new, popular, continuing level. and age-appropriate highlights.

We’re especially excited to debut a number of classes across multiple departments. For the first time, 14-18-year-olds can learn to use a lathe and a mill in Youth Machine Shop and Youth Makers Mark—the latter being a leather working-machine shop crossover! We’re also holding our first-ever ceramic wheel throwing class for youth and our Glass Casting & Coldworking department returns to summer camp with the new Youth Imagery on Glass.

Youth Summer Camp Guide 2023

Parents and guardians should be sure to read our updated withdrawal and transfer policies before registering. We’ve also updated our masking and vaccination policies to match recommendations from local and state government health agencies, as well as the Oakland Unified School District.

Scroll down to see all the summer camp highlights. Don’t forget, member families get first dibs on Youth Summer Camp registration, as well as 10% off tuition. You can become a member today and secure your spot at camp. Public registration will open Tuesday, March 14.

Plan your summer using our 2023 camp PDF

Youth camp dates and pricing subject to change. Please refer to individual class listings for most up to date information.

Before You Register…

Make sure you read our updated policies including recent changes to our COVID-19 guidelines as well as changes to our withdrawal, transfer, and refund policies.

New camps your kiddos will love!

Youth Summer Camps Guide 2023

This calss will focus on the foundation of bookbinding technique, history, and materials. You will practice stitching techniques and design covers that express your creative voice, traditional and contemporary tools will be used to construct several types of books.

Youth Summer Camps Guid 2023

This class covers the classical skills needed to make several chains. You will learn to manipulate wire through the selected use of hand tools, making jump rings, splicing wires together, and fusing jump rings shut. Your finished one-of-a-kind silver chain can accommodate an original pendant or be worn alone.

Youth Summer Camps Guide 2023

Students will use an oxy-propane torch to create colorful glass beads, bugs, and monsters . We will cover bead surface patterns, shaping and forming glass, and will also take a brief historical look at monsters to inspire your very own projects.

Youth Summer Camp Guide 2023

Students will design a personalized stamping tool used to mark their signature on embellishable goods. Techniques covered include using templates to cut, dye, decorate, and assemble leather goods and using a mill and other machining tools to create our metal stamper.

Youth Summer Camp Guide 2023

Students will learn about history of natural textile dyeing and explore traditional Shibori practices. Youth will leave with one-of-a-kind projects they will treasure for years to come.

Youth Guide Summer Camps 2023

Get an introduction to the wonderful practice of printmaking through cartography, relief, and monotype print! Youth will learn how to prep, design, pull and curate their prints while learning basic care of tools and solvents.

Youth Summer Camp Guide 2023

Students will  explore colorful glass beads, expressive figurines, and creatures with unique features, using an oxy-propane torch and soft glass. We will cover bead surface patterns, shaping and forming glass, and take inspiration from the wild things among us.

Youth Summer Camp Guide 2023

Learn how to use enamels, china markers fired in a kiln, cold paints, our sandblaster, and engraving equipment to create art on flat glass. Using the light table and carving equipment in the cold shop, you will be able to explore the transparent, opaque, and reflective qualities of glass to create your masterpiece.

Youth Summer Camp Guide 2023

Learn the fundamentals of Machine Shop theory and practice! Over this 15-hour course, you will be provided with a detailed handout packet and make a small project using basic machine tools.

Youth Summer Camp guide 2023

Learn how to throw clay on a potter’s wheel. Students will learn the fundamentals, including wedging clay, centering, opening, pulling, and shaping a cylinder, bowl, and cup. Learn how to use hand tools to trim and add texture to your pieces, in addition to glaze applications and finishing techniques.

Check out continuing level classes For youth 12-18

Popular classes you don’t want to miss!

Youth Summer Camp Guide 2023

Youth Clay Critters

Explore clay as a sculptural material to create critters of your own imagination! Learn hand-building techniques, such as slabs, coils, and pinching. We will cover several different surface treatments, traditional glazes, and non-traditional approaches.

Youth Summer Camp Guide 2023

Youth Gizmos

Learn kinetic techniques to design, engineer, and construct a mechanical sculpture, contraption, or gadget with lights and moving parts. Using new and salvaged components, you will learn how motors, lights, and switches work, how to create mechanical structures, how to create different types of motion, and how to incorporate switches to operate your very own fantastical contraption!

Youth Summer Camp Guide 2023

Youth Blacksmithing I

Learn to bend and shape steel in The Crucible’s smithy as you practice traditional blacksmithing techniques, such as drawing, bending, twisting, punching, slitting, and drifting using the forge and anvil. Students will learn to forge with confidence and complete projects such as a bracelet, hook, fork, and spoon.

Youth Summer Camp guide 2023

Youth Ceramics I

Try your hand at making sculptural and functional forms in clay and create a one-of-a-kind ceramic sculpture or functional vessel. Youth will practice traditional hand-building and surface treatment techniques while pushing the boundaries with unconventional methods. Youth will leave with a solid foundation in working with clay and the ability to apply your new skill set to other 3-D work and materials.

Youth Summer Camp Guide 2023

Youth Glass Blowing I

Learn the basic skills and techniques to create a personalized hand-blown glasswork. With supportive instruction in a team environment, you will learn to safely work with molten glass, gather glass from the furnace, apply colors, and shape and sculpt molten glass. Be prepared to work in the heat!

Youth Summer Camp Guide 2023

Youth Glass Flameworking I

Create beautiful glass ornaments, pendants, marbles, and more! Learn how to use tools and equipment like an oxy-propane torch to melt and shape glass with confidence. We will cover a variety of techniques including color pulling and applying, color pattern application, and marble making.

Youth Summer Camp Guide 2023

Youth Leather Working I

Learn techniques for working with leather, including cutting, edging, stitching, dyeing, and oiling. We will cover design, setting rivets, adding hardware like buckles, and safety issues. Each student will make a belt and at least one bag.

Youth Summer Camp Guide 2023

Youth MIG Welding I

MIG (metal inert gas) is the most common type of modern welding. It is a process by which a welding machine focuses electricity along a moving metal wire that is fed through a hose to a handheld torch. Student welders manipulate this torch as the electricity melts the wire and creates a weld. You will learn about the fundamentals of MIG welding, such as metallurgy, preparation, joints, technique, and safety. We will also cover plasma torch cutting. The class begins with a basic, technical welding exercise and transitions into a small creative project.

Youth Summer Camp Guide 2023

Youth Skateboard Building

Design and build your very own custom skateboard from seven layers of hard maple veneer. Learn woodworking techniques and the concepts of vacuum press veneering and bending wood. You will practice using basic woodworking power tools, including the band saw and power sanders, as well as hand tools, such as files, rasps, and planes. Apply a basic wood finish and set up your skateboard deck to ride.

Youth Summer Camp Guide 2023

Youth Woodturning I

Using a lathe, you can turn a rough piece of wood into a beautifully shaped spindle or bowl. In this jam-packed class, you will learn the basics of the turning process as you explore small bowl turning and spindle turning. The class will cover tool usage and sharpening, as well as wood selection, preparation, and finishing.

Youth Summer Camp Guide 2023

Youth Woodworking I

Learn to use hand and power tools to shape wood into objects that will last for decades. You will learn about the properties of lumber, safe tool use, measurement and layout, and fundamental woodworking joints. You will leave with an end-grain cutting board, a mitered corner box, and the skills to build an unlimited range of wooden objects.

Find the perfect camp by age group

Don’t forget, members get perks!

Access early class registration, 10% off tuition, discounts on merch, invitations to exclusive events, free Crucible tours, and more.

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