Art Maker's Outpost Summer Camp 2026 | An Inclusive Haven for Creative Minds

REGISTER YOUR YOuth & Teen ARTISTs FOR THEIR Most creative & FUn summer ever!

Scroll through our 2026 Summer Youth Program Brochure in gallery format below, or download a PDF, then register below!

THIS SUMMER 2026 we Are Offering10 weeks of creativity:

FLEXIBLE Morning & Afternoon Sessions +PLUS+ 2 Week Creative Focus Afternoon Camps & CIT PROGRAMS

Join us for 1 week, 2 weeks, mornings, afternoons, or all!

​Art Maker's Outpost Summer Camp: An Inclusive Haven for Creative Minds

Art Maker's Outpost is a transformative, inclusive haven dedicated to celebrating every young artist. Here, you are always welcome to come as you are, be who you are, and feel safe in who you are.

​We champion the spirit of freedom of expression and the power of reuse, providing a safe, affirming environment where ambitious projects thrive. Our camps are designed to push boundaries and encourage the freedom to experiment with unconventional materials. Every participant departs with a robust and dazzling portfolio, brimming with diverse creations that showcase their artistic mastery and newfound confidence.

No Barrier Scholarships Available

Please email val@artmakersoutpost.com to request a 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% scholarship- To access your scholarship you will be given a special one time use code to use at check out to register on our website.

*Register up to 3 campers per session at one time for the same session.

The Art Makers Outpost Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct for Minors forms can be read online, or downloaded in PDF format and signed, from the AMO website.

SCORLL DOWN TO SEE ALL CAMPS & CLICK TO REGISTER

The Art Makers Outpost Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct for Minors forms can be read online, or downloaded in PDF format and signed, from the AMO website.

2026 Summer Camp Mornings | Youth Artists in Residency: Creative Studio

• Weekly Morning Camps from 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

• Ages 6-14

• 25 participants per session max

CALLING ALL MAKERS & ARTISTS & CREATIVES! Your young artist may join us for 1 week, all summer long, or mix and match. Each week we will embark on a creative exploration of awesome materials ready for reuse & new, using techniques in painting, collaging, sewing, printmaking, sculpture, woodworking, jewelry making, mixed media, cardboard building, 3D & 2D designs and so much more. Your young artist will learn to use a variety of tools and machinery, while they explore our studio full of reclaimed & new materials, small, and large, while they create various free-form project based work! Our skilled facilitators will teach new techniques, and foster an environment where your young artist is free to be themselves and can create freely with guidance as they need it. They will be encouraged to make new friends as they spend time designing, exploring and experimenting on their own and with their friends as they create imaginative projects and express themselves artistically. Hands-on skilled artist & maker facilitators, teens & CIT’s work at our camps making your young artists experience unique and fun. Each day will begin with a demonstration focused on new materials, techniques and inspiration for projects…..What can you make you ask? Anything you can imagine is our answer!

• Drop Off: Doors open at 9:15 (You may drop off as early as 9:15 when doors open)

• Pick Up: 12-12:10 (AFTER 12:10 YOU WILL BE CONSIDERED LATE FOR PICK UP)

  • Please call if you are going to be late- if you are late more than 2 x you will be charged. *See late policy below

• This program is for Ages 6-14 | 25 participants per session max

• 10 weeks of morning1 week sessions from June 8th-August 14th, register for 1, or more, or all!

• 10 WEEKLY SESSIONS: (5 Day Sessions- $300 | 4 Day Sessions- $240)

  WEEK #1 June 8-12- $300 | WEEK #2 June 15-18 (*no camp June 19th)-$240 | WEEK #3 June 22-26-$300 |

  WEEK #4 June 29-July 2 (*no camp July 3rd)-$240 | WEEK #5 July 6-10-$300 | WEEK #6 July 13-17-$300 |

  WEEK #7 July 20-24-$300 | WEEK #8 July 27-31-$300 | WEEK #9 Aug 3-7-$300 | WEEK #10 Aug 10-14-$300 |

2026 Summer Camp Afternoons | Youth Artists In Residency: Specialty Creative Studio- MAKE WHATEVER YOU CAN IMAGINE & LEARN EVEN MORE SPECIAL SKILLS!!!!!

• Select Weeks of 1 Week Afternoon Camps from 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm

• Ages 6-14

• 25 participants per session max

• During our 3 x 1 afternoon sessions, as always, whenever your child is at Art Makers Outpost they are free to create what they would like- but in these special afternoons we will pull our specialty materials & focus our exploration on some specific art forms so your young artist will have the opportunity to go more in depth with some of these special techniques while they create their masterpieces at their own pace!

  • Week 1 | June 8-12 | Cardboard 3D Creative Building, Pinatas, Structures, Clay, Recycled Sculpture & More | $300 |Drop off 1:50 | Pick Up 4:30pm

  • ​This camp is where imagination takes shape—turning flat cardboard and simple materials into amazing, structural works of art!. This special afternoon session focuses on specialty materials and specific 3D art forms, allowing artists (ages 6–14) to explore sophisticated construction techniques. Campers will learn how to build unique, structurally sound, and beautiful masterpieces. Your child will always have the freedom to create whatever they can dream up in a safe, guided environment.

    Projects & techniques your child will explore:

    • Cardboard 3D Building: Learn structural techniques to create massive, sturdy objects, from fantastical wearable art and furniture to towering cityscapes.

    • ​Piñata Structures: Master the art of internal shaping and external decoration to craft custom, exciting piñatas.

    • ​Recycled Sculpture: Turn "trash" into treasure! Learn how to safely and cleverly combine found and recycled objects into detailed, intricate, and sustainable sculptures.

    • ​Working with Clay: Explore modeling and molding techniques using clay to add texture, detail, and stability to your 3D creations.

  • Week 9 | Aug 3-7 | Paint Pouring, Gelli Print Making, Slime, Collage & Miniature Building | $300 |Drop off 1:50 | Pick Up 4:30pm

    Projects & techniques your child will explore:

    • ​Fluid Dynamics & Abstract Art (Paint Pouring): Discover the secret formulas of fluid art! Control the flow of pigments to craft stunning, swirling abstract galaxies on canvas. No brushes—just pure, gravity-defying color experimentation.

    • ​Polymer Chemistry & Sensory Play (Slime): Dive into the most fun kind of polymer chemistry! We'll formulate glorious, custom-colored batches of high-stretch, sparkling slime. You'll become a certified tactile texture expert.

    • ​Monotype Printing & Texture (Gelli Print Making): Learn the professional technique of Monotype Printing using a strange, gelatinous plate. Press, pull, and pattern surprising textures to capture one-of-a-kind prints from a world you design.

    • ​Scale Modeling & Set Design (Miniature Building): Tackle the challenge of scale as you construct detailed scenes, secret dens, or futuristic cities barely bigger than your thumb. An excellent exercise in design and proportion.

    • ​Composition & Narrative (Collage): Transform fragments of the ordinary into extraordinary visual stories. Develop your eye for composition by layering papers, found treasures, and textures to create beautiful, expressive narratives.

  • Week 10 | Aug 10-14 | Cardboard 3D Creative Building, Piñatas, Structures, Clay, Recycled Sculpture & More | $300 |Drop off 1:50 | Pick Up 4:30pm

    Projects & techniques your child will explore:

    • Cardboard 3D Building: Learn structural techniques to create massive, sturdy objects, from fantastical wearable art and furniture to towering cityscapes.

    • ​Piñata Structures: Master the art of internal shaping and external decoration to craft custom, exciting piñatas.

    • ​Recycled Sculpture: Turn "trash" into treasure! Learn how to safely and cleverly combine found and recycled objects into detailed, intricate, and sustainable sculptures.

    • ​Working with Clay: Explore modeling and molding techniques using clay to add texture, detail, and stability to your 3D creations.

    ****For additional 6 weeks of afternoon camp check out our 2 week specialty intensive focus camps below (Masks & Wearables Camp, Mural Camp & Entrepreneurial Camp)

2026 Art & Community -Entrepreneurship in Action | Makers Business Lab

June 15 - 26 Entrepreneur Camp | 2 Weeks | 2pm-4:30pm |  (*No Camp June 19th) | MAKERS MARKET June 26th Market 3-4:30pm / Setup 2:30Pm- Break down 4:30-5:00pm |$650 |Drop off 1:50 | Pick Up 4:30pm

• Ages 7-15

• Limited to 15 participants

• Are you ready to see your child’s artistic talent bring real magic to the world? This summer, we are inviting young artists (ages 7–15) and imaginative entrepreneurs to join a quest: to turn their tactile, 3D visions into self-sustaining small businesses built around the wonderful goal of giving back to the community!

• We'll spend our week learning the secrets of running a profitable business while ensuring every creation makes the community a brighter place, focusing on spectacular 3D art forms:

  • From exploration to market: We focus on teaching your young artist how to craft beautiful, sellable objects! Campers will work with jewelry, unique sculptural materials, sewing machines, painting (on objects too!), and Woodshop creations to design sellable products where a portion of every single sale is dedicated to a community cause. Your child’s business model is the action plan!

  • ​Discover the art of selling your work: We’ll learn how to value our time, count materials, and ensure our artistic adventures are sustainable and community driven, allowing us to reliably donate a share of the proceeds to a good cause.

  • Mentorship & collaboration: Your child will work as a part of a cohort and have the opportunity to meet professional artists who will visit our studio during this special session.

  • ​The Big Event: The week culminates in our very own, supervised "Youth Entrepreneur Marketplace"! This is your child’s moment to run their purpose-driven booth, practice sales, and see their business model in action. We'll celebrate the total contribution your 3D art makes to your child’s chosen cause!

  • Earn While You Learn: Keep 75% of your sales! The remaining 25% supports local Evanston families.

• This course is suitable for beginners; who have no idea what business they would like to create all the way to our most advanced young business owners; who are looking to expand, improve, experiment and advance their businesses to the next level.

• At the end of this 2 week intensive, your child will will leave with a collection of sellable, 3D art and new knowledge of how to make more, the confidence the ability to proudly talk about their art, its value, and the cause it supports, and a fully realized purpose-driven business model that integrates giving back from the very first sale, actively modeling action for their community.

• This program will prepare your youth artist to be ready to register for city markets and fairs across Chicago & the Northshore & right here in Evanston.

  
  

2026 Mural Arts Residency: Paint the Town!

Mural Camp & Unveiling Showcase

July 6- July 17th 2-5pm

9 days + unveiling July 17 from 2-3:30 (unveiling at 2:30 with party till 3:30- Please drop your artists off at 2pm and join us at 2:30 outside for the celebration) |$550 |Drop off 1:50 | Pick Up 5pm

• Ages 8-14

• Limited to 12 participants

• ​Do you love painting, street art, graffiti, or spray paint? Have you dreamed of having your art displayed for everyone to see and admire for an entire year? ​This summer become a resident studio artist for an immersive two-week deep dive into the world of large-scale public art. Collaborating with a small team of peers, you will design and paint a massive 4' x 24' mural to be permanently displayed on the exterior of our building.

• The Residency Experience:

  • Global Inspiration: Explore iconic street art from around the world to fuel your own creative vision.

    Expert Mentorship: Work with professional muralists & go from initial concept sketches to a finished public masterpiece.

  • ​Master New Skills: Go beyond simple drawing! Fully immerse yourself in learning new painting and design techniques.

  • ​Cool Materials: Get hands-on experience using exciting, professional-grade mediums and materials, including:

  • ​Acrylic Paint

  • ​Spray Paint (safely supervised!)

  • ​Design Class

  • ​Tile

  • ​Metal

  • ​Molding Medium and more!

• The Grand Finale: The residency concludes with a Community Ribbon Cutting & Unveiling on July 17 from 2-3:30. Join your fellow muralists to present your work to friends, family, and the community, complete with artist statements and a showcase of your design process.

2026 Specialty 2-Week Creative Focus Afternoon Camp: Masks, Wearables & Therian Makers

2 Weeks + Mask & Creative Sharing Party July 31 from 3:30-4:30| July 20-July 31 | 2-4:30pm | MASKS, WEARABLES & THERIAN Makers | Ages 7-15 | $625 |Drop off 1:50 | Pick Up 4:30pm

• Ages 7-15

• 20 Participants Max

• 1 week ( July 20-24 | $325 ) & 2 week ( July 27-31 | $335 ) options

• Back by popular demand! Join us for our second-ever immersive wearable art experience. This is a sanctuary for young artists, mask enthusiasts, Therians, and Otherkin to bring their inner visions into the physical world. At Art Makers Outpost, we celebrate your identity—come as you are, because you belong here! July 31st Special Last day from 3:30-4:30pm caretakers & friends welcome to view all creations in Therian & Otherkin Mask & Creative Sharing , cookies & popsicle party with limited rugs for slow moving quadrobics.)

• Dive into a professional studio environment where you’ll learn advanced techniques to build high-quality, durable wearables:

  • Structural Design: Master foam formations, molding, and snout construction for full-head and face masks.

  • Textile Artistry: Explore fur-based design, precision sewing, and elaborate fabric layering with paint and other materials and tools.

  • Expressive Details: Create hyper-realistic or fantastical ears, eyes, and mouths that bring your character to life.

  • Full-Body Flow: Move beyond the mask with custom body costuming and integrated wearable elements like tails, paws, and body coverings.

  Whether you are a first-time maker or an experienced creator, this camp is a dedicated safe space.

  • Sophisticated Skills: For our all artists, we focus on technical execution and professional finishing with the joy of making new friends.

  • High-Energy Creation: For all makers, we focus on the thrill of creating and becoming

2026 CIT Counselor In Training Program

1 & 2 Week CIT OPPORTUNITIES | AGES 13-15 | Summer Camp Season Runs June 8-Aug 14

DISCOUNT CODE MAY NOT BE USED FOR THIS CAMP

• MUST BE 13-15 years of age

  Become a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Ideal for first time jobs for kids ages 13-15, and dive into a world of creativity and inspiration! As a CIT, you'll be part of a dynamic team working with kids, guiding them through exciting artistic endeavors.

  Enjoy the opportunity to demonstrate your artistic skills and fine-tune your leadership skills while guidingyoung artists eager to explore their creativity. Your role as a CIT is not only rewarding but also comes with a discounted rate, making it an affordable and enriching experience.

  Expectations are that you will be a part of the team and be helping & creating with campers throughout your time. Join us in fostering a love for the arts and creating lasting memories with our young artists!

• 2 spots available during each Weekly Morning Camp Session | Please do not sign up for more than 2 weeks | This is a hands on work & learning experience

• 10 x 1 week Morning Sessions:

  • MORNING WEEK #1 | June 8-14- $200 

  • MORNING WEEK #2 | June 15-18 (*no camp June 19th)-$160

  • MORNING WEEK #3 | June 22-26-$200

  • MORNING WEEK #4 | June 29-July 2 (*no camp July 3rd)- $160

  • MORNING WEEK #5 | July 6-10-$200

  • MORNING WEEK #6 | July 13-17-$200

  • MORNING WEEK #7 | July 20-24-$200

  • MORNING WEEK #8 | July 27- 31-$200

  • MORNING WEEK #9 | Aug 3-7-$200

  • MORNING WEEK #10 | Aug 10-14-$200

• 1 spot available during each 1 Week or 2 Week Afternoon Camp Session | Please do not sign up for more than 2 weeks | This is a hands on work & learning experience

  • 1 WEEK AFTERNOON WEEK #1 | June 8-12- $200

  • 2 WEEK YOUTH ENTREPRENEUR CAMP & Makers Market | June 15 - 26-$375

  • 2 WEEK MURAL CAMP July 6- July 17 2pm-5pm-$375

  • 2 WEEK MASKS & WEARABLES July 20-31-$375 *Therians Encouraged to sign up!

  • 1 WEEK AFTERNOON WEEK #9 | Aug 3-7- $200

  • 1 WEEK AFTERNOON WEEK #10 | Aug 10-14-$200

The Art makers Outpost Scholarship Fund

At the heart of AMO is a commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and equity. Every individual, irrespective of their background, is welcome to join our inclusive space and feel a sense of belonging.

We welcome everyone, and in that light, we do everything we can to make our programs accessible and available to all who want to participate in them.

One way we do so is by providing discounted tuition/fees by maintaining a scholarship fund, and we are very grateful for all contributions to that fund.

ART MAKERS OUTOPOST CAMP POLICIES & AGREEMENTS

There is a break between morning and afternoon sessions- no programing or care or lunch is offered. This is our staffs break between sessions. If you would like to register for both morning and afternoon sessions during the same week(s) your child must leave between morning and afternoon sessions.  If you are late to pick up 2 x we reserve the right to charge you $25 per instance and if excessive than $50 per every15-30 minute period you are late.  Please call if you have extenuating circumstances so our staff is aware. 

No Barrier Scholarships Available. Please email val@artmakersoutpost.com to request a 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% scholarship- you will be given a special one time use code to use at check out to register on our website.

*STRICT Cancelation Policy

*Full refund if canceled prior to March 15th **50% refund if canceled before May 1st. ***No refunds after May 1st, No exceptions.

*RESCHEDULING:

If you need to switch sessions after registering, that is allowed as long as there is space in your requested program. We do not guarantee the opportunity to switch sessions but will make every effort. We always make it as easy as possible for you as long as there is space in the program you are switching to, if we cannot accommodate, please note that all refund policies apply no matter the situation.

If you have any questions, please contact val@artmakersoutpost.com!