Summer Camp Spotlight: Wild at Art Camps in Canton

Campers are creating, exploring and learning all summer at the “Wild at Art” camps. The series of programs for children ages 3-16 encourages creativity through art activities like pottery, animation and video, while also providing opportunities to explore the 138-acre wildlife sanctuary through hands-on activities and nature games. It is a unique program, according to Mass Audubon Visual Arts Center’s Sharon Lee. 

“It’s visual arts inspired by nature,” Lee said. “Some nature camps do walking trails and looking at animals, but our main thing is getting into nature by experiencing art. People can come and enjoy our exhibition gallery, which helps them think about nature and how they relate to the natural world.” 

The American Camping Association-accredited camp, now in its third year, enrolls 140 children, a sharp increase over past years, according to Lee. 

“It’s been so exciting to have this huge amount of interest,” she said. 

The camp’s full- and half-day programs are organized by age group. Lee explained last week’s offerings. 

“We had Tales of the Wild for the three and four-year-olds,” she said. “Each day they read a favorite nature picture book, such as one by Eric Carle. They would then look for insects in the field and under logs. Art projects included a 3-D caterpillar and making a hedgehog. They even had a visit from a real hedgehog!” 

The older campers focused on the fastest wildlife in the world, such as cheetahs, peregrine falcons and sharks. Their art projects were then created with movement in mind, designing creations that fly, float and run. 

The camp, which enjoys a small camper-to-adult ratio, employs college-aged counselors and younger counselors-in-training. Some openings remain in the camps for the rest of the summer; visit http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Visual_Arts/camp.php for more information, or email Sharon Lee at slee@massaudubon.org.