YOUTH SUMMER CAMPS

YOUTH SUMMER CAMPS

INDUSTRIAL ARTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR AGES 14- 18

Are you a young person looking to get your hands dirty and do something creative this summer? Sign-up for a Youth Summer Camp at The Steel Yard! Our camps are 2 week-long day programs instructed by professional artists who work in the field! Each camp offers educational workshops & studio time in a real working industrial shop for folks ages 14 – 18.

We maintain a safe and respectful environment to explore creative industrial arts. We’re here to encourage creativity as well as offer an unforgettable summer experience for every participant.

Full scholarships & sliding scale tuition is available for eligible participants.

Please see the information below regarding scheduling and applications. There will be three camps running this summer, two in metals and one in ceramics.

2025 SUMMER CAMPS

CAMP SPARKLE

Date: August 11 – August 22, 2025
Days: Monday – Friday
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Frequency: 2 Weeks
Level: Beginner
Department: Jewelry & Welding

Camp Sparkle is a 2-week day camp providing training in the industrial arts. Camp Sparkle is open to ALL 14-18 year olds, including LGBTQ+-identifying students and allies. Camp will run from Monday – Friday, 10 AM-3:30 PM. Eight campers will spend the first week in small-scale metals, learning jewelry and metalsmithing techniques. Having built up their confidence in smaller metals, they will spend the second week on a step up in scale and learn to weld.

By empowering LGBTQ+ youth & allies and building community within the industrial arts, Camp Sparkle fosters free expression of gender and sexuality in an environment of self-discovery and creativity. The camps provide a welcoming, safe environment where youth can explore and express their identities within the space of making.

In addition to acquiring skills in jewelry & welding, the curriculum includes a strong focus on the development of personal resiliency and agency through understanding and affirmation of personal identities and acquisition of skills in small and large scale metals fabrication.

HOW TO ENROLL

COMMUNITY STUDIO ACCESS

After successfully completing the program, participants will be eligible for Community Studio Access, here at The Steel Yard, free of charge for as long as they are in high school or age 18 & younger. During these studio sessions, students can work on their own projects and spend time experimenting in our shop with the support and guidance of skilled monitors.

ENROLLMENT POLICY

All students are required to fully read the Steel Yard Registration & Enrollment Policies before attending the first class. Registrants who withdraw from a course at least 10 days prior to the course start date may receive a refund, less a $10 registration fee. There are no refunds or rescheduling within 10 days. By not budgeting for cancellations, The Steel Yard is able to keep costs as low as possible for our students.

WEAPONS POLICY

For the safety of all participants, the Steel Yard has a strict NO WEAPONS policy in the classroom. We prohibit the fabrication of any weapons in the classroom, including but not limited to knives, daggers, swords, axes, etc.

Questions? Please reach out to education@thesteelyard.org for assistance. 

At the Steel Yard, we believe EVERYONE deserves access to the education, skills, and equipment needed to directly improve their conditions and community regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, status with regard to public assistance, military status, disability, sex, age or previous experience.