Summer Camp Guide — Young Artist Program
Muse & Co runs a summer camp for kids ages 8-17. The program runs for 8 weeks across 2 cycles (June 1-26 and June 29 - July 24). Each cycle is 4 themed weeks. This guide covers everything staff need to run camp day-to-day.
Program Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Name | Young Artist Program |
| Ages | 8-17 |
| Hours | 9 AM - 3 PM, Monday through Friday |
| Extended care | 8 AM drop-off, 5 PM pickup ($75/week surcharge) |
| Cycle 1 | June 1 - June 26 |
| Cycle 2 | June 29 - July 24 |
| Max capacity | ~15 per week (8 junior + 7 senior) |
Age Groups
| Group | Ages | Lead Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 8-13 | Hannah Krieger |
| Senior | 13-17 | Pinghui Ren |
Both groups share the same space but work on age-appropriate versions of each week's theme.
Weekly Themes
Each 4-week cycle follows this rotation:
| Week | Theme | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Art Foundations | Drawing, watercolor, still life, origami |
| 2 | Character Design | Cartoon art, comics, figure drawing |
| 3 | 3D Art & Mixed Media | Clay sculpting, jewelry making |
| 4 | Cultural Art & Gallery | Chinese calligraphy, gallery exhibition |
Daily Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Early drop-off (extended care) |
| 9:00 AM | Check-in, welcome circle |
| 9:30 AM | Morning activity (main project) |
| 11:00 AM | Snack break + free draw time |
| 11:30 AM | Second activity (technique practice) |
| 12:30 PM | Lunch (provided -- drinks included) |
| 1:00 PM | Afternoon project (continuation or new) |
| 2:30 PM | Clean up + gallery prep |
| 3:00 PM | Pickup / extended care begins |
| 5:00 PM | Extended care ends |
TIP
Lunch and 2 drinks per day are included for every camper. Have the drink station ready before 9 AM and again before lunch.
Check-In / Check-Out Procedures
Morning Check-In
- Open the staff portal: staff.ncmuse.co > Summer Camp > Daily
- Check in each child by name as they arrive
- Note the arrival time (especially for extended care kids arriving at 8 AM)
- Confirm any notes from parents (early pickup, etc.)
Afternoon Check-Out
- At pickup, verify the person picking up is on the child's authorized pickup list
- Record the check-out time in the staff portal
- For extended care kids staying past 3 PM, confirm they are marked as extended care
WARNING
Never release a child to someone not on their authorized pickup list. If someone claims to be authorized but is not listed, call the parent/guardian to confirm. Emergency contacts are in the management page.
Parent Communication
Staff are responsible for keeping parents informed through three channels:
Camp Feed (Daily)
- Throughout the day, take photos and short notes about activities
- Post updates via the Daily page in the staff portal
- Parents receive an end-of-day email with photo thumbnails and a summary
Automated Emails (No Staff Action Needed)
- Day-before reminders: Sent automatically the day before each camp week starts
- Week-complete email: Sent Friday evening with attendance summary and next week info
INFO
Before posting photos, check each child's photo consent level in the management page. Options are: yes (all use), feed only (parent email only), or no photos. Respect these settings.
Gallery Exhibition (Every Friday)
Each week ends with a student art exhibition showcasing the week's work.
Exhibition Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Friday | 3:00 - 5:00 PM (opening for families) |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 12:00 - 4:00 PM |
Staff Setup Responsibilities
- [ ] Each student gets their own display space (wall or easel)
- [ ] Hang or place artwork with name labels for each student
- [ ] Adjust lighting to highlight the display area
- [ ] Have the space ready by 2:30 PM Friday (before families arrive at 3)
- [ ] Take down previous week's exhibition Saturday evening or Sunday after close
Volunteer Creative Guides
Parents can apply to volunteer during camp at ncmuse.co/summer-camp/volunteer.
What Volunteers Do
- Assist with activities, snack/lunch setup, and general classroom support
- Help with cleanup and gallery prep
What Volunteers Do NOT Do
- Volunteers do not teach or lead instruction. All instruction is handled by Hannah and Pinghui.
Volunteer Approval Process
- Parent submits application online
- Application includes background check and safety screening
- Manager reviews and approves or denies
- If approved: volunteer receives 50% discount codes for up to 2 children
Pricing Quick Reference
Regular Pricing
| Registration | Price |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | $400 |
| Week 2 | $350 |
| Weeks 3-4 | $300 each |
| Full cycle (4 weeks) | $1,300 (save $50) |
Early Bird (Register Before May 15) — 35% Off
| Registration | Price |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | $260 |
| Week 2 | $228 |
| Weeks 3-4 | $195 each |
Discounts & Options
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Sibling discount | 10% off 2nd child, 15% off 3rd+ |
| Deposit option | $20 deposit, balance due 14 days before camp |
| Extended care | $75/week surcharge |
What's Included
- All art supplies for every project
- Lunch every day
- 2 drinks per day
- Gallery exhibition space
Emergency Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| First aid kit | Behind the front counter |
| Emergency procedure | Call 911, then notify Pinghui at (910) 847-1202 |
| Allergies / medical notes | Check each child's registration in the management page |
| Photo consent | Check each child's consent level (yes / feed only / no photos) |
WARNING
Review every camper's medical notes and allergy information at the start of each week. Do not wait for an incident.
Last updated: April 2026