Visual Arts Camp - A guide for instructors 
In our visual art programs, we introduce the children to a wide variety of artistic styles,
movements, projects and artists, both historical and contemporary. 
The children are encouraged to focus on the process of art making rather than an anxiety on a
specific pre determined outcome. 
They will learn various concepts and techniques of visual art making through many different
mediums and will be encouraged to express themselves and discover their unique style and
process. 
 
Curriculum Development and Lesson Planning: 
 
-what skill or technique is being taught? 
-what terminology are we learning? 
-what artist or art movement are we looking at for context or inspiration? 
-incorporate a warm up. This can be physical, or something like a drawing based on a prompt –
anything to get the children into the headspace to be creative. 
-what idea/concept are we thinking about and basing our project on? 
-what are the project parameters and instructions? 
-what materials are we using? 
-if I am doing the same project for more than one age group, what are the differences in the
lesson and expectations? 
-Bolded items -all do not have to be answered for every lesson - but at least one or two
of them  
-Non Bolded items: all need to be answered. 
*Lesson planning template is below 
 
NOTES: 
Please tell the children to leave their art work with you until the end of the week – then they
get to take their portfolio of work home all at once 

I have provided enough file folders for all the campers. This is a great first day warm up activity
– have them draw/decorate/personalize these folders with their names and whatever else they
choose. This is their portfolio to collect all art work throughout the week and keep it
organized.  This is something they can come back to and work on throughout the week if they
are ever needing something to do :) 

Please keep your summary (Google Docs) up to date and finish it by each Thursday morning so
it can be printed and distributed in time. Please give these to the counsellors on the last day so
they can hand them to parents. 

Be sure to learn the kids’ names as quickly as you can. 

On the first day – please explain to the children that they will leave their artwork with you until
the end of the week, and then they can take home their portfolio of work at the end of the
week.  

Please have children wash hands or sanitize as they come in for class 

Please have a discussion with the children on the first day (may need to review each day,
depending on the group) - about what the expectations are for the class  - “rules”. These should
include respecting self, others and the studio and supplies, walking only, bottoms on the chairs
only, raise hand to speak, etc. 

Please make sure to demo things such as – how to respectfully and carefully use a paint brush –
what to do and not to do with it, how to hold scissors and not to walk or run with them.  How
far up to turn the glue stick, how much glue one needs, etc. 

It will be helpful for you and the campers if you have some sort of signal that it is time for them
to stop and listen – ask me if you need ideas for this. 

Please remind your campers to come with clothes that can get messy or even stained if possible
on the first day. 

*It is important that each group engages in a wide variety of lesson types (eg painting, drawing,
sculpture, collage, print making)  

*It is important that each group uses a wide variety of materials (eg, oil pastels, chalk pastels,
charcoal, water colour paint, acrylic paint, clay or other sculpture materials) 

*It is important that we are not encouraging direct copying of other artist’s work as we want to
teach creative thinking, encourage them to find their own style and express themselves. 
You are welcome to play music – it should either be made specifically for children, or be only
instrumental. 

If your groups are arriving early – you can ask them to come back at the time of the lesson (5
minutes early is probably ok).  Unless you are ready to start and would like the extra time with
them. 
You can chat with the counsellors about snack breaks (particularly for the younger campers).  If
it is determined that you need one, please be sure they are eating on a clean surface- art
supplies need to be cleared and tables cleaned.  Counsellors can help you with this.  Or if there
is a space close by to go have a snack – or on the floor, that is ok too.  Please do not allow for
more than about 5-10 minutes for this.  We want to give them as much art making and
instruction time as possible.  

*If you have repeat campers – please adjust your lessons so that they are not doing the exact
same projects two times.  

Please sanitize (Vanguard) tables and chairs before and after each group and as many supplies
as possible (what you have time for). 
 
Materials to be included in your supplies: 
 
lg scale newsprint - great for big drawings with pastels 
construction paper 
printer paper  
water colour paper 
acrylic paper 
file folders - for portfolios - to be draw/painted on - personalized 
acrylic paint 
glue sticks 
glue gun - instructor or counsellor use only 
pencil crayons 
sharpies 
rulers 
stickers - can give to the youngest groups at the end of a lesson if desired 
lg Ziploc bag for opened clay 
markers 
pencils 
skewers 
toothpicks 
watcolour paint 
painter's tape 
scotch tape 
pipe cleaners (perhaps for sculptures) 
feathers (perhaps for sculptures) 
charcoal 
oil pastels 
chalk pastels 
scissors 
water cups 
Erasers 
 
Lesson Planning Template: 
 
Lesson Date/s 
 
Project Title 
 
Warm up 
 
Idea or Concept 
 
How many classes/hours   
Skill/Technique 
 
Terminology 
 
Artist/ArtWork/Art
Movement   
Materials 
 
Material prep 

 
Age group/s 
 
Project Parameters
Instructions 

 
Adjustments per age
group 
 
Extra time