Summer Camps

From architecture to action painting, hearth cooking to Impressionism, summer camps at Shelburne Museum offer children ages 6-14 a fantastically fun and hands-on camp experience. Campers explore the Museum's diverse collections and beautiful grounds through engaging and creative activities, guaranteed to provide new insights into America's creative traditions.

Artisan Apprentice
Camp Size: 15
Dates: June 30-July 3
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ages: 6-7
Tuition: $200 per week

What is it like to create art for a living? Campers spend a week exploring the work of 19th-century artisans and artists. Interactive visits with the blacksmith, printer, and weaver, as well as explorations of Mary Cassatt's and other artists' paintings provide background and inspiration for campers' own art and craft projects. Please note: this session is only 4 days due to Independence Day.

Blast to the Past: A Week in the 1950s
Camp Size: 15
Dates: July 7-11
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ages: 8-9
Tuition: $250 per week
After-camp care is available for this session

Get ready for Hula Hoops, rock 'n' roll, Westerns and JELL-O! While "living" in the 1950s House, campers learn about everyday life during the mid-20th century, participating in 1950s children's games, exploring elements of pop art, discovering popular music of the time, and preparing period foods. We will also comb the Museum campus for art, artifacts, and even people from the 1950s. Please note: Campers will eat food that they prepare and cook at the Museum. We cook with various grains, eggs, and dairy. Please notify us if your child has allergies or sensitivities and help us arrange a safe way for your child to participate.

Artisan Apprentice
Camp Size: 15
Dates: July 21-25
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ages: 6-7
Tuition: $250 per week
After-camp care is available for this session

What is it like to create art for a living? Campers spend a week exploring the work of 19th-century artisans and artists. Interactive visits with the blacksmith, printer, and weaver, as well as explorations of Mary Cassatt's and other artists' paintings provide background and inspiration for campers' own art and craft projects.

This camp is fully enrolled, please check back next summer.
A Week in 1795
Camp Size: 15
Dates: July 28-August 1
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ages: 8-9
Tuition: $250 per week

Can you imagine what a child's life was like in early Vermont? Come and "live" it! Campers travel back in history to the turn of the 19th century to learn about everyday life in early Vermont. Our group will "live" at the Settlers' House for the week, cooking our midday meals on the hearth, keeping a proper house, and tending our gardens. We will visit galleries and historic buildings throughout the Museum to investigate the art and artifacts of the United States' early years. Please note: Campers will eat food that they prepare and cook at the Museum. We cook with various grains, eggs, and dairy. Please notify us if your child has allergies or sensitivities and help us arrange a safe way for your child to participate.

D.I.Y. Architecture
Camp Size: 15
Dates: August 4-8
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ages: 12-14
Tuition: $250 per week

D.I.Y. Dream it yourself. Design it yourself. Do it yourself! Join us for a week of all things architecture. Investigate the architectural elements and original functions of Museum buildings. Find inspiration for your own building projects. Using cardboard, plastic, and other new and reclaimed materials, campers design and construct individual buildings. The group will assemble a small cityscape at week's end and create the story of the community's development, including its history and a road map.

After-Camp Care

After-camp care is available from 3 to 5 p.m. for our Blast to the Past (July 7-11) and second Artisan Apprentice (July 21-25) sessions. After-camp care is not an extension of camp activities. It is supervised free time when children are encouraged to explore the Museum, read, and play games. The fee is $10 per day. Pick up will be promptly at 5 p.m. in front of the Museum Store. For staffing considerations please register for after-camp care when you register for camp, but no later than Friday, June 20 for Blast to the Past or Thursday, July 3 for Artisan Apprentice.

Please download the registration form for further details about camp logistics.