JDCAC Summer Art Camps

We'll See You This Summer at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center!

Every summer, the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center (JDCAC) is filled with creativity and imagination as children of all ages participate in visual arts camps hosted by the JDCAC and Auburn Arts Association and theatre camps hosted by the Auburn Area Community Theatre. These camps create an opportunity for children to engage in educational activities while having a great time! Come join the excitement in Auburn's art community today and make a difference for the younger generation's future!

Interested in participating in summer camps as an instructor, volunteer or participant? Contact the JDCAC at (334) 501-2963 or email Sara Custer, Cultural Arts Administrator, at scuster@auburnal.gov.

Scroll down for camp dates and descriptions. If you are interested in signing up for one or more of the camps, please do so through MyRec. Registration began Monday, Feb. 2 at 8 a.m. Citizens must have an online MyRec account to register for any Parks and Recreation programs. To access the online system and create an account visit auburnal.gov/parks/register.

Programs with an associated cost will require payment which can be made online using a credit card. Individuals who wish to pay with cash or check can register and pay in person at the Harris Center, located at 425 Perry St., Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Please read ALL instructions prior to registration!

Location: Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center (222 E. Drake Ave.)

Cancellation and Refund Policy: Cancellations must be made by Monday at 5 p.m. prior to the week you are cancelling in order to receive a refund.

Refund requests will need to be completed through our registration platform under the refunds tab. All refunds will be subject to a 10% cancellation fee. Refunds will take 10 business days to be processed.

Registration Instructions: If you do not already have an account with MyRec, consider making one before the registration date. Add any children you want to register for camp to your account. Make sure you do not add them as a paying member.

Day of Registration

• Log into MyRec

• Click Register

• Click Programs

• Look for Camps Category

• Click on camp(s) of choice

• Register your campers for the weeks needed

• You can click the box beside your campers' names add to cart and then add another week

• You only have 15 minutes to check out once you add it to your cart

• If you want your camper to attend multiple sessions you must register them for each week

• Please make sure you include all allergies and medical information that will be important for us to know. We also will not allow anyone to pick up your child from camp that is not a parent/guardian or on the pick-up list so please make sure that section is completed if anyone other than a legal parent/guardian will be picking up your child.

• If for some reason you are only able to register one child and the other child ends up on the waitlist, please contact Sara Custer at scuster@auburnal.gov.

Art Camps Presented by the Auburn Arts Association and the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center (JDCAC)

Art for Young Children

Art for Young Children is an ART CAMP created by Chichi Lovett and coordinated by Sara Custer, Cultural Arts Administrator, and Emillie Dombrowski, Art Education Specialist. Art camps provide a supportive and creative learning environment where instruction is collaborative and taught by experienced artists and art educators. Campers will explore different mediums while learning about artists, history, movements and cultures. We are an ART workshop with emphasis on aesthetics and the process of creating art. We will inspire your child to experiment with materials and try new techniques while learning about the elements and principles of design in a variety of age-appropriate lessons. A special exhibition of the children’s artwork will be held at the end of each session. For more information, please contact JDCAC. Enrollment is limited and pre-registration is required. $65/week/child. Price includes cost of all materials and snacks.

Coordinators: Sara Custer and Emillie Dombrowski / Auburn Arts Association
Contact: JDCAC • (334) 501-2963 • scuster@auburnal.gov • edombrowski@auburnal.gov

Visual Arts Workshops for Children

Visual Arts Workshops for Children is an ART CAMP created by Chichi Lovett and coordinated by Sara Custer, Cultural Arts Administrator, and Emillie Dombrowski, Art Education Specialist. Art camps provide a supportive and creative learning environment where instruction is collaborative and taught by experienced artists and art educators. Campers will explore different mediums while learning about artists, history, movements and cultures. We are an ART workshop with emphasis on aesthetics and the process of creating art. We will inspire your child to experiment with materials and try new techniques while learning about the elements and principles of design in a variety of age-appropriate lessons. A special exhibition of the children’s artwork will be held at the end of each session. For more information, please contact JDCAC. Enrollment is limited and pre-registration is required. $85/week/child. Price includes cost of all materials and snacks.

Coordinators: Sara Custer and Emillie Dombrowski / Auburn Arts Association
Contact: JDCAC • (334) 501-2963 • scuster@auburnal.gov • edombrowski@auburnal.gov

Theater Camps Presented by Auburn Area Community Theater

AACT Academy 2026 Summer Camps
VIBE: Voice, Imagination, Body, Energy

AACT Academy "Play" in the Woods

AACT Academy - VIBE: Voice Imagination, Body, Energy - “Play” in the Woods, at the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, 2222 North College Drive, Auburn. Join us for an “All the world's a stage" theater experience. Wear your hiking shoes, bring water, and apply sunscreen and bug spray. Using the woods as our backdrop, we are excited to explore theater techniques and put on a play in the great outdoors! Parent Presentation: Friday, June 5 at 5 p.m. Tuition includes T-shirt and snacks. Need-based scholarships are available. Applications and details can be found at auburnact.org. We offer Sibling Discounts; they apply automatically when you register. $190.

Coordinator: Melanie Brown/AACT• mbrown@auburnact.org • (334) 332-6834

AACT Academy - Musical Theater Camp

Love to sing, dance and act? Then join us for Musical Theater Camp! Whether you have been on stage many times or never, this camp is for you! You'll learn music, choreography and do character development activities for several Broadway Musical numbers. Each year we choose new songs and different musicals, so you always have a fresh experience. Your actor will have a chance to shine on a real stage for family and friends at the end of camp! Parent Presentation: Friday, June 5/12 at 5:30 p.m. In order to accommodate everyone, we will hold two performances. Details TBA. There will be extra rehearsal times for everyone to prepare for the Parent Presentation. Tuition includes T-shirt and snacks Need-based scholarships are available. Applications and details can be found at auburnact.org, We offer Sibling Discounts; they apply automatically when you register. $200.

Coordinator: Melanie Brown/AACT• mbrown@auburnact.org • (334) 332-6834

AACT Academy Summer Camp - "Play and Tech Camp

From auditions to performance, young actors and technicians will explore the varied skills needed to produce a play. Using children’s literature as our base, we will touch on elements of playwriting, directing, stage managing, designing; including, set, prop, costume, makeup, sound and lighting. We will not build their set designs, but we will use simple stage makeup, costumes, and props. Be prepared to have them raid their closets to find what they need to create their own costume! Actors will be expected to practice their lines and do some character development work at home. Technicians will be expected to help source sound and prop elements, and will assist in stage managing, and running the sound and lights for the show. Tuition includes T-shirt, materials for props and snacks, and a tour of the Gogue Performing Arts Center. Parent Presentation: Friday the 24th at 5:30 p.m. Need-based scholarships are available. Applications and details can be found at auburnact.org. We offer sibling discounts; they apply automatically when you register. $220.

Coordinator: Melanie Brown/AACT • mbrown@auburnact.org • (334) 332-6834

AACT Academy Summer Intensive

This is a theater skills and techniques camp appropriate for all levels of experience. Whether you are a beginning or experienced actor, you will learn and grow as an actor. It is fun and fast paced. We will focus on improvisation, voice and movement and scene studies. Each year we plan different ways to present and practice theater skills; there is always something new to learn! Parent Presentation: Friday, July 31 at 5 p.m. Tuition includes T-shirt and snacks. Need-based scholarships are available. Applications and details can be found at auburnact.org, We offer Sibling Discounts; they apply automatically when you register. $190.

Coordinator: Melanie Brown/AACT • mbrown@auburnact.org • (334) 332-6834

Additional Camps

Superhero Training Camp

Superhero Training Camp, Calling all superheroes! Wear your favorite costume and come get STRONG with an obstacle course, get SMART with science experiments and get SPRIGHTLY with art projects - all superhero themed! $100.

Contact: Summer Williams • winsleycoan@icloud.com • (334) 329-9361

Science Camp

At science camp, kids will be hands on with exciting experiments and explorations. They will watch awesome demos, work with partners and groups to conduct science experiments and learn safe and easy experiments they can perform at home! Join us for partner science experiments, cool demos and friendly building competitions daily! Action packed fun guaranteed to please your favorite Einstein! $100.

Contact: Summer Williams • winsleycoan@icloud.com • (334) 329-9361

Origami, Collage and Paper Quilling

Origami, the ancient Japanese art of folding paper, is a fascinating and creative craft for kids. Through folding, origami uses numerous folds with fine attention to the detail. The value of Origami is not how fast or how many models can be completed but rather practice, patience and precision. Through practice, the students gain better understanding of patterns, spatial relations and 3-D design elements. Paper Quilling is the art of rolling narrow strips of paper into coils or scrolls. And arranging them to form elegant art. Students learn how to use the tools to roll coils and scrolls. Then pinch, shape and arrange them into decorative patterns. $225.

Contact: Dong Shang • dongshang@hotmail.com • (229) 347-6293

Chinese Watercolor Class

Chinese painting is a unique ancient style of painting that is great, fun, and easy to learn. Chinese painting is a wonderful way for young artist to learn a new painting technique. Students will learn the techniques of Chinese brush painting through painting flowers, landscape and animals. $225.

Contact: Dong Shang • dongshang@hotmail.com • (229) 347-6293