Sketch it, sculpt it, paint it! Create all summer long at Appel Farm’s visual arts program at camp
Join us for a colorful summer!
If you’re searching for a visual arts camp in New Jersey that feels both serious about art and genuinely joyful, you’re in the right place. At Appel Farm, visual art is a lived experience. Campers step into fully equipped studios, work closely with professional teaching artists, get the rest they need, and spend meaningful time growing in every visual arts class they take.
A creative community that builds the show together
Our overnight summer camp gives creative kiddos and teens ages 8 to 16 the space to draw, paint, sculpt, build, and experiment without pressure. They can choose visual arts as a Major or a Minor, which means they control how deeply they want to focus on it.
At the same time, they are part of a safe, gender-inclusive, neurodiverse, LGBTQ+ supportive environment grounded in restorative practices. It feels welcoming from day one, and families tell us their campers can feel that difference immediately!
Freely create visual art without pressure or comparison
First and foremost, we focus on process. Campers are not competing for ribbons or being ranked against each other here. Instead, they’re learning how to improve their own work step by step.
In practical terms, that might look like a camper revisiting a painting after a gentle critique, adjusting their color choices, and seeing the piece transform. Or it might mean reworking a sculpture armature so it stands more securely. Teaching artists guide informal critiques that are thoughtful and constructive, and campers learn how to speak about art with confidence!
Professional teaching artists and small classes
Our visual arts classes are small, so our teaching artists can notice when a camper is struggling with perspective in a drawing or is unsure how to attach two materials in a mixed media piece.
Because of that individual attention, campers often accomplish more than they expected.
Families regularly share that their child returned home talking about techniques they had never tried before and ideas they are excited to continue exploring!
Curious what our 2D, 3D, and ceramics studios look and feel like? Come see where campers paint, throw on the pottery wheels, fire pieces in our Noborigama kiln, and share their work. After all, the best way to understand our visual arts camp is to walk through it!
How our Visual Arts Program works
At Appel Farm, campers choose a Major, which is their primary focus, and a Minor, which adds variety to their schedule. Visual arts can be selected as either!
If a camper chooses visual arts as their Major, they spend extended daily blocks in the studio, allowing them to develop skills in a meaningful way. On the other hand, choosing visual arts as a Minor offers a shorter, focused class that introduces a specific topic or technique.
And there’s more! At the end of the session, visual arts campers get to showcase their creations in a gallery exhibition, where the entire camp community comes together to celebrate their work. Here, every artist gets their chance to shine!
Our Visual Arts Majors
We currently offer primary Major pathways, each grounded in hands-on studio work and guided by experienced teaching artists:
- Drawing and painting in our 2D arts studio
- Sculpture and mixed media in our 3D arts studio
- Functional and sculptural ceramics in our ceramics studio
From there, campers follow their curiosity, try new techniques, and start discovering what kind of artist they want to become!
Our Visual Arts Minors
Our visual arts Minors change from summer to summer, which keeps things fresh. In recent years, campers have taken the following:
- Murals
- Color theory
- Landscape painting
- Story art
- Printmaking
- Mosaics
Check out our camp dates, rates, and scholarship program (2026)
Thinking about sending your kid to camp to learn about visual arts? Below you’ll find session dates, tuition options, and details about financial aid for Summer 2026 at Appel Farm Arts Camp.
Appel Farm summer 2026 camp dates
Appel Farm Arts Camp offers both two-week and four-week sessions, giving families flexibility based on their child’s interests, schedule, and readiness for time away from home.
Many families choose a two-week session as an introduction to camp, while others opt for the four-week experience to allow campers more time to grow creatively, build friendships, and fully immerse themselves in the arts-focused camp community.
Two-week sessions
July 5 – July 18, 2026
July 19 – August 1, 2026
Four-week session
July 5 – August 1, 2026
Appel Farm summer 2026 tuition rates
| Session Length | Supported Rate | True Cost Rate | Sustaining Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Weeks | $3,750 | $4,000 | $4,250 |
| 4 Weeks | $6,500 | $6,750 | $7,000 |
- Supported rate: A partially subsidized option for families who need additional flexibility. This rate does not reflect the full cost of operating our summer camp programs.
- True cost rate: Reflects the actual cost of camp, including facilities, program materials, and equitable pay for staff.
- Sustaining rate: Includes a tax-deductible donation that helps support scholarships for families who would otherwise be unable to attend.
Testimonials
At our visual arts camp, campers grow into themselves in the studio, try techniques they never thought they could master, and head home with stronger skills and real creative confidence. Take a look at what past campers and families have shared about their summer in our creative community:
Take a peek into our visual arts studios
Our studios are busy, colorful spaces filled with natural light and creative energy! They are stocked with professional tools and materials that support serious art making. At the same time, we make sure they’re always welcoming and accessible.
Drawing and painting in our 2D arts studio
In 2D classes, campers draw and paint while practicing close observation and expressive mark making. They layer paint, experiment with line quality, and discuss how artists use color to communicate mood. Over time, they see their work grow more confident!
Sculpture and mixed media in our 3D arts studio
In the 3D studio, campers sculpt and work with mixed media. They learn safe tool use and thoughtful construction methods. Because projects often require revision, campers discover that mistakes are part of the creative process and not something to fear.
Functional and sculptural ceramics in our ceramics studio
Our ceramics studio is where campers create their very own functional and sculptural ceramics. Campers learn how clay responds to pressure and timing, as well as how to trim, glaze, and prepare pieces for firing. Watching their ideas take shape in clay gives campers a real sense of pride that sticks with them long after the studio lights turn off.
Rotating Visual Arts Minors
In addition to Majors, rotating Minors may include Murals, Color Theory, Landscape Painting, Story Art, Printmaking, and Mosaics. These focused experiences add depth and variety to a camper’s overall visual arts education.
Interested in enrolling in a visual arts class but not ready to commit to a two-week or four-week camp session? Take a look at our Arts Labs! We offer single classes and multi-session options for both kids and adults, so you can experience our studios in a flexible way that fits your schedule. We’d love to have you in our studio!
Check out our colorful gallery of camper creativity!
With every summer that passes, our studios turn into even more vibrant galleries. Campers participate in informal showcases where they present their work, share inspiration, and celebrate one another’s progress. These moments reinforce confidence and highlight how much growth can happen in just a few weeks.
Check out some artwork by our previous campers below. You can even visit our Facebook page for more photos from our visual arts program!
Take the next step toward an artistic summer!
Eager to learn more about how Appel Farm’s visual arts program works? Check out our camp brochure or reach out to us directly. We’re here to answer your questions and help you decide if Appel Farm is the creative summer home your kiddo has been looking for!
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What ages can attend Appel Farm’s visual arts program?
Our overnight visual arts camp serves campers ages 8 to 16. We also offer a Counselor in Training (CIT) program for ages 15 to 17 who are ready for leadership development!
Do campers need prior experience in visual art to join Appel Farm’s program?
No experience is required! Beginners and experienced young artists are both welcome.
How much time do campers spend in visual arts classes each day?
Campers who choose visual arts as a Major spend extended daily blocks in the studio. Those who select it as a Minor attend shorter, focused sessions.
Are there opportunities for portfolio development at your visual arts program?
Yes! Older campers can create strong portfolio pieces through studio work and helpful critique from our instructors.
Is Appel Farm’s camp environment gender-inclusive and supportive?
Absolutely. We are a gender-inclusive community rooted in restorative practices. Campers are respected for who they are and encouraged to grow creatively and personally.