2026 Summer Camps
Reservations for 2026 Wilson Arts Members
Opens Friday, February 20 at 10 AM
Reservations for the public
opens Wednesday, March 11 at 10 AM
If you are not a member and apply during the member period,
you will be contacted about paying the membership fee if you wish to keep the registration.
WEEK OF JUNE 8-12
BUILD IT WEIRD with Ash Hayford
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Ages: 8-18
Cost: $90 or $80 for 2026 Wilson Arts members
Artist and arts educator Ash Hayford will take kids on a 3-D creative journey through different types of materials used in sculpture creation, including air clay, papier-mâché, and forming recycled materials into works of imaginative art. If you can imagine it, you can build it!
PAINTERS' PLAYGROUND with Heather Stapp
Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Ages: 8-12
Cost: $90 or $80 for 2026 Wilson Arts members
Does an afternoon painting exploration sound like music to your ears? Then this is the camp for you! Join artist Heather Stapp as she introduces a variety of painting mediums and techniques for an afternoon of playful painting. This camp is great for beginners wanting to try different mediums, as well as more experienced artists looking to learn something new!
WEEK OF JUNE 15-19
ART ADVENTURES with Tiara Taylor
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Ages: 5-18
Cost: $90 or $80 for 2026 Wilson Arts members
In this creative journey led by Wilson Arts staff member and educator Tiara Taylor, campers will find their own artistic voice by investigating different creative mediums each day – everything from origami and collage to painting and jewelry making! This would be a perfect camp for those who may be new to exploring the creative process – there’s a little bit of everything to try!
THE PORTRAIT LAB with Heather Stapp
Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Ages: 8-18
Cost: $90 or $80 for 2026 Wilson Arts members
Campers in the portrait lab will explore drawing realistic renderings with creative instruction and drawing techniques from artist Heather Stapp. This camp is great for young artists wanting to hone their sketching techniques using reference photos to make their drawing come to life!
DISNEY'S ARISTOCATS KIDS
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Mon.-Thurs.), 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Friday)
Ages: Rising 2nd - 6th graders
$175 for the week ($150 for 2026 Wilson Arts members)
Ev’rybody wants to be a cat. And now you can. Filling the alleys of Paris are Disney’s favorite felines. This musical stage adaptation has all the tunes and tuna from the classic animated film.
A kind and eccentric millionairess wills her entire estate to Duchess, her high-society cat, and her three little kittens. Laughs and adventure ensue as the greedy, bumbling butler pulls off the ultimate catnap caper. Now it's up to the rough-and-tumble alley cat, Thomas O'Malley, and his band of swingin' jazz cats to save the day.
Camp Performance: Friday, June 19 at 7:00 p.m. Open to the public.
Show Tickets: $5 per person (plus tax) Available in June
WEEK OF JUNE 22-26
THE SCENT LAB with Shanita Battle
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Ages: 8-18
Cost: $90 or $80 for 2026 Wilson Arts members
In this camp you will find the art of alchemy! Led by Shanita Battle, campers will explore the process of soap making, create boombastic bath bombs and candle making just to name a few. The sweet smell of success awaits!
STORIES ALIVE Performing Arts Camp
Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Ages: 6-14
Campers become their favorite storybook characters and create an adventure onstage.
THIS CAMP IS PART OF THE FULL DAY STEAM CAMP WITH IMAGINATION STATION.
If spots are still available once STEAM Camp closes, we will open the remaining spots to the public.
S.T.E.A.M. CAMP ADVENTURE: ANCIENT ENGINEERING AND THE ARTS
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Ages: 6-14
Cost: $280 public / $255 current 2026 member of Wilson Arts or Imagination Station
Wilson Arts is thrilled to partner with Imagination Station to offer an exciting full-day summer camp experience that blends science and the arts with these STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) options! This collaborative option is perfect for kids who enjoy variety in their day and a change of environment.
Morning Session: Ancient Engineering at Imagination Station
Location: Imagination Station Science & History Museum | 224 Nash St, Wilson, NC 27893
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
In the morning, explore ANCIENT TIMES ENGINEERING at Imagination Station. Step back in time and discover how ancient civilizations used science and engineering to shape the world around them. Campers will experiment with simple machines, build and test ancient technologies, and solve hands-on challenges inspired by real archaeological discoveries. History comes alive as kids explore how innovation helped ancient people survive, build, and thrive.
Lunch Break: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Wilson Arts Center | 204 Nash St S
At noon, staff will escort students to Wilson Arts Center for Lunch Bunch. Students must bring their own lunch and drink.
Afternoon Session: Stories Alive at Boykin Center
Location: Boykin Center | 108 Nash St NE
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
In the afternoon, campers will become their favorite storybook characters and create an adventure onstage at the Boykin Center in STORIES ALIVE.
This full-day camp provides a dynamic mix of STEM and the arts, keeping campers engaged with hands-on learning and creative expression—all within a short walk between Wilson Arts and Imagination Station!
JULY 1 AND WEEK OF JULY 6-10
MORE AESOP'S (OH SO SLIGHTLY) UPDATED FABLES
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Mon.-Thurs.), 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Friday)
Ages: Rising 5th - 12th graders
$150 for the week ($125 for 2026 Wilson Arts members)
This play by Kim Esop-Wylie is the sequel to last summer’s hilarious production. Assembling more of Aesop's classic fables, The Farmer and Her Sons, The Fox and The Crow, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, and The Country Mouse and The City Mouse, into a show that's fun, fast-paced, and full of surprises.
Camp Performance: Friday, July 10 at 7:00 p.m. Open to the public.
Show Tickets: $5 per person (plus tax) Available in July.
WEEK OF JULY 6-10
BUILD IT WEIRD #2 with Ash Hayford
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Ages: 8-18
Cost: $90 or $80 for 2026 Wilson Arts members
Artist & arts educator Ash Hayford will take kids on a 3-D creative journey through different types of materials used in sculpture creation, including air clay, papier-mâché, and forming recycled materials into works of imaginative art. If you can imagine it, you can build it!
MIXED MEDIA MANIA with April Garrett
Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Ages: 5-12
Cost: $90 or $80 for 2026 Wilson Arts members
Campers will explore a variety of mediums including paper, paint, and collage to create their mixed-media masterpieces! This camp is perfect for both new and experienced young artists who want to stretch their imagination while trying their hand at various forms of artistic styles.
WEEK OF JULY 13-17
ART ADVENTURES #2 with Tiara Taylor
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Ages: 5-18
Cost: $90 or $80 for 2026 Wilson Arts members
In this creative journey led by Wilson Arts staff member and educator Tiara Taylor, campers will find their own artistic voice by investigating different creative mediums each day – everything from origami and collage to painting and jewelry making! This would be a perfect camp for those who may be new to exploring the creative process – there’s a little bit of everything to try!
MIXED MEDIA MANIA #2 with April Garrett
Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Ages: 5-12
Cost: $90 or $80 for 2026 Wilson Arts members
Campers will explore a variety of mediums including paper, paint, and collage to create their mixed-media masterpieces! This camp is perfect for both new and experienced young artists who want to stretch their imagination while trying their hand at various forms of artistic styles.
WEEK OF JULY 20-24
ART IN LAYERS with Abby Boykin
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Ages: 8-18
Cost: $90 or $80 for 2026 Wilson Arts members
In this mixed media camp, artist and art instructor Abby Boykin will explore drawing from life, mixed media collages and everything in between. Campers will be introduced to foundational drawing techniques and learn how to incorporate their skills into a variety of projects.
WEEK OF JULY 27-31
COMIC ART with Brandon Sanders
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Ages: 5-18
Cost: $90 or $80 for 2026 Wilson Arts members
Instructor and professional comic artist Brandon Sanders will guide campers in the art of creating comics by exploring the fundamentals of imagining and drawing characters and developing a story line, with the goal of creating their very own comic strips!
ONCE UPON A STUDIO with Frank Johnson III
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Ages: 8-18
Cost: $90 or $80 for 2026 Wilson Arts members
Campers will dive into a variety of creative ways to explore visual story telling. Led by artist and art teacher Frank Johnson III, you will learn how to tap into your imagination and create visual narratives through multiple forms of mediums.
THIS CAMP IS PART OF THE FULL-DAY STEAM CAMP WITH IMAGINATION STATION. There are limited spaces open to non-STEAM camp participants.
STORIES ALIVE Performing Arts Camp
Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Ages: 6-14
Cost: $90 or $80 for 2026 Wilson Arts members
Campers become their favorite storybook characters and create an adventure onstage.
THIS CAMP IS PART OF THE FULL-DAY STEAM CAMP WITH IMAGINATION STATION. There are limited spaces open to non-STEAM camp participants.
S.T.E.A.M. CAMP ADVENTURE: MAD SCIENCE AND THE ARTS
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Ages: 6-14
Cost: $280 public / $255 current 2026 member of Wilson Arts or Imagination Station
Wilson Arts is thrilled to partner with Imagination Station to offer an exciting full-day summer camp experience that blends science and the arts with these STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) options! This collaborative option is perfect for kids who enjoy variety in their day and a change of environment.
Morning Session: Mad Science at Imagination Station
Location: Imagination Station Science & History Museum | 224 Nash St, Wilson, NC 27893
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
In the morning, explore MAD SCIENCE at the Imagination Station. Get ready for messy, bubbly, and seriously fun science! Mad Science Camp invites young scientists to dive into hands-on experiments full of chemical reactions, biological surprises, and sensory science. Campers will mix, observe, and experiment their way through the weird and wonderful side of science—safely, of course!
Lunch Break: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Wilson Arts Center | 204 Nash St S
At noon, staff will escort students to Wilson Arts Center for Lunch Bunch. Students must bring their own lunch and drink.
Afternoon Session: Creative Exploration with Wilson Arts
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Choose between:
ONCE UPON A STUDIO Visual Arts
Location: Wilson Arts Center | 204 Nash St S
Ages: 8-14
Campers will dive into a variety of creative ways to explore visual story telling with artist and arts instructor Frank Johnson III. Learn how to tap into your imagination and create visual narratives through multiple forms of mediums.
STORIES ALIVE Performing Arts
Location: Boykin Center | 108 Nash St NE
Ages: 6-14
Campers will become their favorite storybook characters and create an adventure onstage.
This exciting full-day camp offers the perfect blend of science and creativity, providing variety, hands-on learning, and a change of environment—all within a short walk between Wilson Arts and Imagination Station.
WEEK OF AUGUST 3-7
DISNEY'S DESCENDANTS
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Mon.-Thurs.), 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Friday)
Ages: Rising 7th - 12th graders
$175 for the week ($150 for 2026 Wilson Arts members)
Imprisoned on the Isle of the Lost – home of the most infamous villains who ever lived – the teenaged children of Maleficent, the Evil Queen, Jafar, and Cruella De Vil have never ventured off the island… until now. When the four troublemakers are sent to attend prep school alongside the children of beloved Disney heroes, they have a difficult choice to make: should they follow in their parents’ wicked footsteps or learn to be good?
Based on the popular Disney Channel Original Movies, Disney's Descendants: The Musical is a brand-new musical jam-packed with comedy, adventure, Disney characters, and hit songs from the films!
Camp Performance: Friday, August 7 at 7:00 p.m. Open to the public.
Show Tickets: $5 per person (plus tax) Available in August.
WEEK OF AUGUST 10-14
STORIES ALIVE Performing Arts Camp
Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Ages: 6-14
Campers become their favorite storybook characters and create an adventure onstage.
THIS CAMP IS PART OF THE FULL DAY STEAM CAMP WITH IMAGINATION STATION.
If spots are still available once STEAM Camp closes, we will open the remaining spots to the public.
S.T.E.A.M. CAMP ADVENTURE: HANDS-ON STEM AND THE ARTS
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Ages: 6-14
Cost: $280 public / $255 current 2026 member of Wilson Arts or Imagination Station
Wilson Arts is thrilled to partner with Imagination Station to offer an exciting full-day summer camp experience that blends science and the arts with these STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) options! This collaborative option is perfect for kids who enjoy variety in their day and a change of environment.
Morning Session: Hands-On STEM at Imagination Station
Location: Imagination Station Science & History Museum | 224 Nash St, Wilson, NC 27893
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
In the morning, design, build, test, and improve with HANDS-ON STEM! This camp will challenge campers to think like engineers and problem-solvers as they explore physics, engineering, and technology through interactive projects. From building structures to experimenting with motion and forces, this camp is all about learning by doing—and trying again when things don’t go quite as planned.
Lunch Break: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Wilson Arts Center | 204 Nash St S
At noon, staff will escort students to Wilson Arts Center for Lunch Bunch. Students must bring their own lunch and drink.
Afternoon Session: Stories Alive at Boykin Center
Location: Boykin Center | 108 Nash St NE
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
In the afternoon, campers will become their favorite storybook characters and create an adventure onstage at the Boykin Center in STORIES ALIVE.
This full-day camp provides a dynamic mix of STEM and the arts, keeping campers engaged with hands-on learning and creative expression—all within a short walk between Wilson Arts and Imagination Station!
IMPORTANT CAMP INFORMATION
- Online Registration: Submit forms online with secure payment via Square. Member discounts are available for 2026 contributors—ensure your contribution is current before selecting the discount price.
- Eligibility: Campers MUST meet the specified age range for each camp.
- Registration: To secure a spot, complete the Registration and Health/Permission forms and submit with payment. Spots will NOT be held without payment.
- Payment & Refunds: Full payment is required at registration. No refunds for participant cancellations. Registration closes 10 days before camp starts.
- Cancellations: Camps may be canceled due to low enrollment. Notification will be sent by the Tuesday before the camp's start. Full refunds or credits are issued only if Wilson Arts cancels.
- Scholarships: Available based on financial need. Apply online at Wilson Arts Scholarship Application or pick up a form at Wilson Arts. Submit applications at least two weeks before camp starts.
- Check-In & Pick-Up:
- Check-in begins 15 minutes before camp start time (8:45 AM for morning camps, 12:45 PM for afternoon camps).
- Accompany your child inside to sign them in.
- Authorized individuals must sign out campers at pick-up. Late pick-ups (30+ minutes) incur a $10 fee.
- Snacks & Lunches:
- Full-day performing arts campers must bring snacks, lunch, and drinks.
- Campers attending two half-day camps (a 9 AM and 1 PM camp in the same week) can register for the Lunch Bunch option for lunchtime childcare.