For over thirty years now the Parkside Summer Arts Program has provided quality arts education programming for children aged 5-11 year olds during their summer vacations.  This year we will be exploring the theme of “The Camp Community.”  Under new direction from a team of educators who believe in the value of real-world experience, the Parkside Summer Arts Camp will continue our long tradition of providing quality arts education with some exciting new opportunities.  Under this year’s theme, campers will take part in enrichment activities that connect with the vibrant resources available in the Parkside Neighborhood.  Campers will experience their surrounding community through activities that stretch their creative minds and feed their academic growth.

We will offer a network of instructors skilled in a wide variety of topics with a focus on direct experience, including topics ranging from:

• Literacy – including creative writing, performance and poetry, storytelling, bookmaking, and public speaking
• Music – including Music for Everyone, percussion, folk music, electronic music, singing, improvisational ensemble, recording, and performance craft.
• Dance & Movement – Yoga, Circus Arts (juggling, hooping, slack-rope), swing/hip-hop dance, and bicycle riding
• Art - Found art, Natural Art, Drawing, Painting, Media, Video production, light photography, and pottery
• Science & Math – Exploratory Science, Builders Math (structures & vessels), architectural exploration, and bicycle mechanics

Session Dates & Times/Location

Session I - July 9 - 27

Session II - July 30 - Aug 17

Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Location: Tot Lot in Delaware Park near Florence/Parkside entrance to the park

Registration Process

The cost of attending one three week session is as follows:

$75/child if your child qualifies for free/reduced school lunch

$200/child for all other children

A limited number of scholarships are available. Please call the Parkside Community Association in the event of financial hardship.

To apply:

1. Complete a registration form for each child. If your household qualifies as low-income according to the chart below, please include proof of income (copies only). New participants must also include proof of age. Acceptable documents include copies of birth certificates or immunization records.
2. Enclose a check /money order payable to the “Parkside Community Association” for the amount due.
3. Mail completed application to:

Parkside Community Association

c/o Summer Arts Program

2318 Main Street

Buffalo, New York 14214

Registration fee is non-refundable for those accepted into the program.

Prior to April 23, 2012 applications will only be accepted by mail. Space is limited. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis by age and income. Due to great interest in the program we encourage you to register as soon as possible.

Please call the Parkside Community Association (838-1240) if additional registration forms are required for a child in your family who did not attend last year’s program.

You will be notified by mail if your child has been accepted or placed on a waiting list.

Parkside Summer Arts Registration Form

Download a printable PDF registration form - Mail or bring in to the PCA office.

Camp Procedures

Pick-Up & Drop-Off

Children must be signed in and out by a parent/guardian when they are dropped off and picked up. If someone other than a parent is signing a child in and out we must have prior written permission. Sign-in books will be located at an assigned picnic bench for each age group at the Tot Lot in Delaware Park near the intersection of Parkside Avenue and Florence Avenue. Only children in the 9-11 age group will be allowed to sign themselves in/out with written permission from a parent/guardian prior to the start of the program. Walkers must be in the 9 – 11 age group and have written permission from a parent/guardian. Pick-up is between 2:30 – 3 PM and children must be picked up by 3:00 pm. A $ 10.00 fee will be charged for late pick-ups.

Parking

In order to ensure the safety of everyone and to avoid congestion in the park, we ask that when dropping off and picking up your child you do not use the Florence/Parkside entrance to the park or park on Parkside Avenue near this entrance (no standing signs are posted in this area). Please enter the park and park along the Ring Road.

Lunch

Your child will need a lunch each day. Please mark your child’s name clearly on the container.  Please do not send lunches in large backpacks. Lunches are stored in large plastic bins (no refrigeration available) and space is limited so please be considerate when selecting your child’s container.

Pizza Day

Wednesday is Pizza day. Pizza is $1.00 per slice (beverage included). If your child is participating, please put money in an envelope with the number of slices and your child’s name and age indicated on the envelope. Pizza money will be collected at the sign-in table in the morning. 

Field Trips/Class Schedule & Permission Slips

Three classes per day are provided on a variety of topics including Art, Creative Writing and Dance. Specifics regarding class schedule/field trips will be provided at the beginning of each session.

Rain Days

Summer Arts defines a rain day as a downpour of rain or the imminent threat of rain between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. On rainy days please go directly to the rain site which is Saint Mary’s School for the Deaf at 2253 Main Street, just north of Huntington Avenue.  Rain day notices will be posted on the PCA homepage, www.parksidebuffalo.org no later than 8:00 am each day.

Proper Attire & Personal Property

Children should wear clothes suitable for outdoor play. Shoes should also be appropriate for sports such as softball and basketball (no sandals). Water bottles (clearly marked), hats & sunscreen are also encouraged. Participants are discouraged from bringing cell phones, game boys and playing cards. Parkside Summer Arts cannot take responsibility for the loss of such items.