2024
SUMMER ADVENTURES
Week-Long Summer Adventure Camps
Ages 6*-14
Each camp is limited to 12 participants
CREATIVITY THRIVES HERE!
Storytree Theatre: Adventure on Shipwreck Island is FULL.
Space is available in Storytree Theatre: A Space Odyssey, July 8-12.
Two spaces are available in Imaginary Worlds and Fantastical Characters, July 22-26. Two spaces have opened in Imaginary Worlds and Fantastical Characters, July 29-August 2.
Writing the Next Chapter for Our Favorite Characters
July 1-5
Piggy and Gerald, Dory Fantasmagory, Mercy Watson, or Drake from Dragonmasters – who are your all-time favorites? What if you could write the next chapter in their story? What adventures will you dream up? We’ll become our characters through acting and writing. We’ll create life-size versions as we imagine their next escapades.
Ages 6-8 Cost: $250 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.* (*After care available until 3:30 p.m.)
Storytree Theatre: A Space Odyssey
July 8-12
Discover the characters that live only in your imagination as we travel to a galaxy far, far, even farther away! Throughout the week, we learn the FUNdamentals of theatre, develop our critical and creative thinking skills, and discover the magic of creating a brand new play together.
Ages 6-10 Cost: $250 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Myths, Legends, and Games Around the World
July 15-19
Embark on a global adventure, no passport required. Dive into Norse, Greek, and Indigenous tales. Encounter larger-than-life characters and discover storytelling traditions that unite us. Campers will craft stories, create storytelling pouches, mold clay treasures, paint murals inspired by global wall art, and challenge their skills with toys and games from around the world. Invent your own game to challenge your friends.
Ages 8-14 Cost: $350 9:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Imaginary Worlds and Fantastical Characters
July 22-26
Unleash your imagination in this week of fantasy and fiction! Craft new worlds and dive into character creation. Perhaps you’re inspired by Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, or Wings of Fire. Design a large-scale map of your fictional world. Create character sketches and storyboards. Decide what form your adventure will take – a graphic novel, a chapter book, or an epic poem. We’ll learn from master authors as we stretch the limits of our minds.
Ages 8-14 Cost: $350 9:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Imaginary Worlds and Fantastical Characters
July 29- August 2
Unleash your imagination in this week of fantasy and fiction! Craft new worlds and dive into character creation. Perhaps you’re inspired by Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, or Wings of Fire. Design a large-scale map of your fictional world. Create character sketches and storyboards. Decide what form your adventure will take – a graphic novel, a chapter book, or an epic poem. We’ll learn from master authors as we stretch the limits of our minds.
Ages 8-14 Cost: $350 9:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Creative Fusion
August 5-9
Play with all forms of art making. Sketch to music, paint to story, write to song! Week includes a songwriting workshop with award-winning musician Jud Caswell. Jamie Hogan, winner of two 2024 Lupine Awards, will facilitate a book art workshop. No experience necessary.
Ages 8-14 Cost: $350 9:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Under the Big Top
August 12-16
Step right up to the most spectacular show of the season! Join the circus fun and balance, juggle, read, write, create, and perform under the big top. Learn to spin flower sticks and diablos, juggle scarves & balls, and much more. Dive into circus literature, unleash your creativity, and climb the learning ladders. Design a clowning skit and showcase your skills at the grand finale. Returning campers will pick up where they left off and take their skills to the next level.
Ages 8-14 Cost: $350 9:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Each day will include sketching, art, music, yoga, mindfulness, performance, time to browse our on-site library, and read books we love. You will work as writers do, choosing the topics, genres, and presentations for your writing. Time will be devoted daily to independent writing with personalized feedback. We will learn from a published children’s author, and create a collection of writing to share and take home. The week will culminate with an Authors’ Tea to celebrate our works-in-progress with families and friends!
At the Merry Barn, we are committed to helping all children discover a love of words. Financial assistance available to any child wishing to participate.
“You are a great literacy teacher. I did not like writing before I was in this school and you made it really fun. Now I love reading and writing so very much. I love going to author’s tea.”
— Emma, Grade 1 Student
“What I always took away from your Authors’ Teas and classroom writing celebrations was the sense that writing of all sorts can -- and should -- be celebrated. Your encouragement helped my son and daughter see the value in all forms of writing – not only the planned-out stories or projects with multiple drafts and finishing touches, but also in the handwritten thank-you notes and recipes they created together through trial and error.”
— Carolyn F., Parent, Bowdoin, ME
“Stephanie McSherry is truly a gift to children and teachers alike.”
— Anne D., Parent, Georgetown, MA
“Stephanie has a passion for working with kids, and she is strong at helping learners no matter their strengths or weaknesses in literacy. She also took the time to write notes of encouragement and appreciation for students’ writing. At our home, our son greatly valued her notes; and as a parent, I greatly valued the time she took to acknowledge a reluctant writer’s efforts.”
— Jessie B., Parent & Grade 4 Teacher, Lewiston, ME
