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What is Hearts to Art? Art? Hearts to Art is an annual summer camp designed for young people 7-14 years old who have experienced the death of one or more parents.
When is camp? Hearts to Art holds two sessions over the summer, the first for ages 7-10 and the second for ages 11-14. Each Session runs for two weeks. Dates for 2023 are:
Session 1 – July 10 – July 21
Session 2 – July 24 – August 4
What is the cost of Hearts to Art? We are thrilled that Hearts to Art will be offered at no cost to our camp families!
Will campers and staff be vaccinated against Covid-19? YES, all campers, staff, junior counselors and volunteers are required to be vaccinated at this time unless they have a documented medical or religious status which can be submitted for exemption consideration.
What if my camper is not vaccinated against Covid-19? Unfortunately, at this time Hearts to Art cannot accept unvaccinated participants. However, you are welcome to fill out the application and we can place your camper on a waitlist. In the event that the Covid-19 situation changes and we no longer deem vaccination status necessary, we will accept unvaccinated campers off the waitlist in a first come first serve capacity, if there is room in the program.
We will detail our COVID-19 safety precautions when we are closer to the camp date, based on the infection rate and needs of our community.
How many campers will be accepted? We accept a maximum of 35 campers per session. We will open a waitlist when we hit capacity for our program and let campers in on a first come first serve basis, with preference given to returning families.
When is the deadline to apply?The deadline for Session One campers to apply or to be admitted off of the waitlist is June 26th. The deadline for Session Two campers to apply or to be admitted off of the waitlist is July 11th.
After I have applied is there anything I need to do? Once you apply to Hearts to Art you should receive a confirmation of your acceptance within a few days. Any next steps will be listed in that email. If you apply but you did NOT receive confirmation, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible.
Does Hearts to Art fill up?
In both 2021 and 2022 we were at full capacity with a waitlist. We were able to get many campers in off the waitlist but we unfortunately were not able to serve everyone. We do encourage you to apply early to claim your spot and to join our waitlist if needed!
Where will camp be held this year?
Hearts to Art will be held in Northwestern Settlement House, located in Noble Square. Our location is right off of the highway, the blue line and near the Milwaukee bus making it easily accessible to all parts of the city.
Will there be transportation this year?
Two busses will be offered, one from the South Side or Chicago and one from the North Side. Busses will pick up and drop off at a yet to be determined location.
Does Hearts to Art accept children experiencing non-parental loss, like a sibling or grandparent? Hearts to Art specializes in working with children who have experienced the loss of a parent. Please explore our additional resources for other programs and camps that may be better suited to your child’s needs.
What is achieved at Hearts to Art? Using several different areas of the performing arts, Hearts to Art encourages communication, fosters emotional growth, and provides friendship, compassion, and community. Camp activities encourage team building, self-esteem, consciousness, and problem-solving. Through interaction with other children who have experienced a similar loss, campers understand that they are not alone.
What are some camp activities? Hearts to Art is a performing arts camp, meaning that each day campers work in developing skills in acting, movement, improvisation, singing, and more through fun and exciting classes. Additionally, small group healing sessions and our guest speaker sessions provide campers with the opportunity to share about their loss, if they choose to do so. Campers also rehearse and stage a final showcase performance.
Does my camper have an opportunity to talk about their loss? Small group healing sessions are facilitated by professional counselors. This provides campers a safe time and place to express and share their feelings with peers.
Does Hearts to Art have a program for teens? Our Junior Counselor program is designed for previous campers ages 15-18 who want to remain connected and give back to camp.
Is Hearts to Art a suitable environment for a child with special needs? While we are not specifically a special needs camp, our staff is trained to handle special circumstances to a limited extent. Please contact us with specific questions or needs, and we’d be happy to discuss possibilities!
Who are the camp instructors? Our staff is comprised of a wide variety of people with a passion for, and experience in, the arts and working with children. Previous staff members hold degrees in education, music, dance and theatre performance, social work, and counseling. Our healing counselors are therapists and/or social workers with experience in grief counseling. All staff have prior experience working with young people, have cleared background checks, and are trained as mandated reporters through the Auditorium Theatre.
What is the ratio of adults to students? To ensure a fun, safe, and supportive camp, we keep a high ratio of caring adults to campers at Hearts to Art.
How long has Hearts to Art been running? Hearts to Art started in 2005. In 2023 we be celebrating our 19th season of camp!
How do I apply? Applications for new campers for our 2023 season will be available on our website beginning February 9th!
Who can I contact for additional information? For questions regarding enrollment, please email [email protected].
