Courses and Activities

CAP participants create an individual schedule from over 70 courses in the visual arts, drama, music, dance, creative and nonfiction writing, computer, and athletics, including swimming. We invite all our students to choose courses that match their passions, as well as try something new!

Students take five courses throughout their time at CAP. Each course meets for approximately one hour per day, five days a week. Students interested in the CAP Musical or the Murder Mystery course will only take four classes as those classes will be a double period.

Participants first must register for the program, and then select their courses in the spring, typically in May or early June. Course registration takes place on a first-come, first-served basis, although our team makes every effort to ensure every participant is happy with his/her CAP schedule.

Below are the course listings for the 2019 season. Course offerings for the 2020 Creative Arts Program will be posted in late Spring.

Please note that all courses will be offered in both CAP Sessions. Students who enroll in both sessions will have an opportunity to take a different set of courses for each session.

Visual Arts

CARTOONING I (Grades 3-5) AND II (Grades 6-9)

Learn to make your own comic book, step by step. In this class we teach you all the basics to illustrate like a pro by turning a sketch into an inked and colored illustration, creating your own storyline and narrative, and working with different comic book templates.

CERAMICS: FOUNDATIONS OF AN ANCIENT MATERIAL (Grades 3-5)

Interested in working with clay? In this class, you will learn about and work with one of the oldest sculpting materials in history. You will learn to sculpt, build, and construct with clay to create different pieces of art that you will be able to take home after Festival Day!

CERAMICS: SCULPTING AND WHEEL THROWING CLASS (Grades 6-9)

For thousands of years, all around the world, potters have been using the wheel to make beautiful pots. In this class, you will get the chance to learn how to do the same! You will get to use the potter’s wheel every other day to create cups, bowls, and vases. Everything you make can be used to eat, drink, and serve food. When not on the wheel, you will learn how to create unique sculptures using hand-building techniques.

COSTUME AND FASHION DESIGN (Grades 3-5)

This class will be exploring the wonders of both costume and fashion design. As a designer, you must have an eye for color and design as well as the ability to use your imagination. We will be looking at and drawing the human figure, dressing it up, and designing accessories. We will also be looking at fables and drawing the accompanying costumes. The CAP productions also need our help with costuming! What's YOUR style? Let's put together our personal inspiration boards!

DIGITAL ARTS I (Grades 3-5) and II (Grades 6-9)

In these classes, we will explore the ever-growing world of digital art. We will use Photoshop, iMovie, and other innovative techniques to create digital paintings and collages, manipulated photographs, GIFs, stop motion animation, and more. We will experiment with different computer methods and techniques to create memorable images and stories. Bring your imagination, ideas, and excitement as we dive into new media!

DIY MASTERS (Grades 6-9)

Dream it. Create it. Clever crafting. Inspired designs. You will make a tote bag, a pillow, design your own stationery, jewelry boxes and so much more. You can also think of ways you might like to decorate your space. In this workshop you will have an opportunity to work on projects with clear and simple directions and to design/create your own projects with the support of the teacher and fellow campers. A wide array of materials will be at your disposal for your creative process. We will also work with some principles of sustainability.

DOLLHOUSES (Grades 3-5)

If you love building miniature pieces, playing with dolls, and designing rooms, Dollhouses is the class for you! We will create our own dollhouses, going room by room - decorating floors and walls, constructing furniture and all the unique details that will make your dollhouse a home. Come design your dream space!

FUNdations OF ART (Grades 6-9)

Come learn the FUN-damentals of making art! In this class we will experiment with paint, charcoal, watercolor, printmaking, ink, string, and more to make exciting works of art. No prior skills necessary. We will explore the various techniques used by historical and contemporary artist to spark our imaginations!

GRAPHIC STORIES (Grades 3-5)

Graphic stories are an exciting way to show and tell a story through the use of pictures/drawings and words. We will explore different forms of graphic stories- graphic novels, comics, drawings, and illustrations. So, be ready to let your creativity and imagination soar. We will use writing, drawing, and technology to create stories, play games, and make the impossible possible. Through our exploration of graphic novels, comics, and short stories told through pictures, you will have the opportunity to grow the art of writing and storytelling.

KNITTING, EMBROIDERY, AND NEEDLEPOINT I (Grades 3-5) AND II (Grades 6-9)

Amid a renaissance of needlework and thread crafts, 2017 brought knitting back to the forefront of the national conversation for the first time in recent memory. Are you someone who has been dying to knit your own blanket to curl up under while exploring the newest books, or streaming the latest on Netflix? Have you considered creating your own business on Etsy selling embroidered patches or needlepoint wallhangings? Come join us to learn and perfect your skills! All skill levels welcomed and encouraged.

MODEL CARDBOARD MADNESS (Grades 6-9)

Learn the art of re-purposing household materials like cardboard, paper plates, and fabric into finished pieces of artwork. Students will learn how to use basic concepts of symmetry, visualization, and craft making to create art from an original idea. We will build a wide range of objects including model vehicles, buildings, costumes, figures, instruments, and more.

MURALS (Grades 3-5)

Murals are our chance to take our ideas and make them BIG. We will collaborate on creating large-scale murals that develop our drawing and painting skills while allowing us to share the things that are most important to us with our community. Come ready to write on the walls and think big!

MULTIMEDIA CREATIONS (Grades 3-5)

In mixed media, we will discover the many ways different materials can be combined into one artwork. Woven sculptures incorporating fabric and metal, photographs we take and draw on top of, and making our own paper to collage with are just the beginning-- we will explore it all. If you've ever had trouble choosing just one material for your next art project, this is the class for you!

PAINTING I (Grades 3-5) and II (Grades 6-9)

Are you inspired by great artists of the past? Do you want to learn how to use the techniques of famous artists like Vincent Van Gogh to make your own artwork? Painting is the experience for you. We will look at works of art through time and use them as inspiration for our own pieces. Come learn some new techniques and have fun doing it!

PHOTOGRAPHY IS MAGIC (Grades 3-5)

In this hands on, fun photography course you will learn to make amazing pictures in an engaging and interactive way. You will experiment with lighting and composition and get the chance to create fascinating photo montages, paint a photograph using colored lights and also use photography with other arts and crafts and more! We will learn how a camera works and through our photo tours of the local neighborhood and campus you will get the chance to share your unique perspective of the world. By the end of the course you will have a body of work to share with family and friends. It is helpful, but not necessary, if all students have access to their own camera. This may be anything from a smartphone to a point and shoot or digital SLR.

PHOTO FANTASTIC (Grades 6-9)

In this unique photography course, you will learn the skills to take, edit and present your photos in exciting and interactive ways. Through a series of themed classes you will learn about multiple exposures, painting with light, basic Photoshop techniques, building your own studio lighting set-ups, orchestrating an advertising shoot and developing your distinct style and more! You will discover new ways to explore the medium and discover different ways to present your work. You will gain an understanding of the basic principles of lighting and composition. There will be the chance to develop and share your unique visual storytelling skills by taking part in photo tours around the local neighborhood. You will also have fun presenting your work online and on various mediums. It is helpful, but not necessary, for all students to have access to their own camera. This may be anything from a smartphone to a point and shoot or digital SLR.

MODEL CARDBOARD MADNESS (Grades 6-9)

SET DESIGN / CONSTRUCTION (Grades 7-9)

Ever wonder how the scenery and props in a play or musical get to where they’re going? Ever wonder how all those lights and sound effects happen? And ever wonder if you can do it too? Well, you can! This is where you can discover all the tricks that make a show go! We will design and build the sets or props for the major production and handle all the lights, sound and technical work for Noontime Performances!

SOAPSTONE CARVING I (Grades 3-5) and II (Grades 6-9)

Soapstone has been used for centuries by people of many different cultures as a sculptural material. It is a soft rock, making it easy to carve for artists of any age or skill level. In this class we will explore the process of subtractive sculpture by carving away at this beautiful material. By the end of the summer, each student can expect to have at least one or two finished and polished products to show in the art gallery on Festival Day and take home afterwards.

Writing

BC BUZZ (Grades 6-9)

Extra, extra, write all about it! Do you have an eye for detail? Are you interested in everything and everyone in the world around you? Are you consistently in the ‘know’ and notorious for asking ‘why’? If so, then the BC Buzz is for you! This year we will focus on researching topics that are important to you; whether you want to go out and conduct a series of interviews, write a hard-hitting local or world news investigation, or want to start your own creative writing series, there will be plenty of opportunities to explore what interests you and to see your own work in print!

FANTASY WRITING AND ROLEPLAY (Grades 3-5)

Have you always wanted to be a witch? A dragon? A gnome? To write the next Harry Potter? In this class, we will create our own worlds, characters, and adventures and explore them through both writing and play. If you have a wild imagination and a love of all things fantasy, this is the class for you!

GRAPHIC STORIES (Grades 3-5)

SONGWRITING (Grades 6-9)

Do you love to write? Do you love music? This summer we will be learning how to create our own songs! We will learn different styles of songwriting from famous songwriters like Ed Sheeran, Paul McCartney, and Kanye West. We will incorporate their methods into our own craft . This class is open to both musicians and non-musicians alike!

WEB SERIES (Grades 6-9)

Open call for all TV and YouTube enthusiasts! In this class we will work together to write, shoot, and produce our very own web series. Whether you consider yourself a writer, actor, director, or a drummer looking to try something new, you’ll have a chance to learn about and contribute to all aspects of the process. Just come with a creative mind and a passion for collaboration!

WRITE YOUR LIFE (Grades 6-9)

Have you ever thought your life would make a great novel? Screenplay? Stand-up comedy routine? In this class, we’ll get creative with nonfiction and learn to look at our lives and ourselves in exciting new ways. We’ll take real people, places, and events and use them as inspiration for poetry, plays, essays, comics, songs, and more! If you’ve got a story to tell, this is your place to tell it!

Dance

CIRCUS SPECTACULAR (Grades 3-5)

Create and make a “circus spectacular”! This class will incorporate basic and safe gymnastic skills, techniques for solo and group balances, explorations with props such as spinning plates, juggling scarves, hula- hoops, and dance. This is a chance to learn new skills and create your own circus piece. This class culminates in a performance on Festival Day.

CULTURAL DANCE: AROUND THE WORLD IN 25 DAYS (Grades 3-5)

Get your passport ready as you travel the world, while staying in Brooklyn, by learning different cultural dances from around the world. Our cultural tour will take us to India, Ireland, Brazil, China and the Caribbean exploring both Latin and Afro-Caribbean styles as a main base for warm ups and a whole lot of partnering fun!

DANCING THROUGH THE DECADES (Grades 6-9)

Through Dance, we will roar through the 20’s, hop, swing and jive through forties and the fifties, feel the sensations of the 60’s and dive into Disco in the 70’s. Together, we will create dances in a mini-theatrical production format exploring the movement, essence and flavor of the decades.

THE DANCE EXPERIENCE: DANCING ACROSS GENRES (Grades 3-5)

The class is designed to be a dance exposure model focusing on a different dance genre each week. These genres include Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Lyrical and Hip Hop dances. This class is a great introduction to various different dance styles. All levels are welcome!

POP ROCK STREET JAZZ (Grades 6-9)

Through various styles and movement vocabulary of street jazz and hip hop, students will be presented with high-energy choreography reflecting classic videos through various genres of contemporary dance and pop culture.

Theatre & Musical Theatre

AUDITION PRACTICUM: THE ART OF GETTING CAST (Grades 5-9)

Be relaxed. Be real. Be ready! Learn many tricks of the acting trade while mastering monologues which you can use in auditions. You will have fun while learning how to approach cold readings of scenes and monologues, explore possibilities with cartoons and commercial copy, learn relaxation techniques, and even prepare an a capella song if you’d like. Comedy, drama, classical, and contemporary styles will all be part of our repertoire.

BROADWAY BOOTCAMP (Grades 4-9)

Students will have the opportunity to perform small scenes and songs from Broadway shows, with a focus on the more contemporary musical theater repertoire. Campers will be able to hone their musical and performance skills through learning harmonies and individual coaching. There will be opportunities for solo, duet, and ensemble performance, and songs will be performed with basic choreography and staging.

CAP MUSICAL I (Grades 3-5) and II (Grades 6-9)

In 2018, the CAP Musical will be Guys and Dolls Jr.! From the bright lights of Broadway and the streets of old New York City to the cafe's of Havana, Cuba, this musical comedy classic will have roles for all ages, including city dwellers, gamblers, dancers, missionaries, and gangsters! Auditions will take place on the first day of CAP, and all students in the class will be cast.

IMPROV THEATER (Grades 6-9)

Improvisation, or improv, is a form of theater where the actors are given no script or time to rehearse, but rather, must come up with their action on the spot! In this class, you'll play theatre games, create original scenes and characters, and learn the fundamentals of improv. The course will culminate in a sharing of our favorite improv games and activities at Noontime Performances and Festival Day!

MAKE A MOVIE I (Grades 3-5)

Let’s make a movie that’s all your own! In this class, you will create a stop motion animation based on characters you create. We will also be shooting an action film and having fun with commercial spoofs! Learn new camera angles, and bring your imagination to the silver screen.

MAKE A MOVIE II (Grades 6-9)

Looking out at the world and into our imaginations, we will create short films varying from documentaries to commercial spoofs to live action dramas! This class will explore sound, motion, special effects, creativity, and more. While learning how to shoot and edit, we will make videos filled with the creatures, characters, and worlds both imagined and real.

MASK MAKING THEATER (Grades 3-5)

Imagine a young adult version of Where the Wild Things Are only better. Is that even possible? Yes, you will fashion and build your own masks and then learn how to inhabit them. You and your imagination can literally run wild as you create characters to work with the masks. We will devise a short performance piece with masks and buffoon characters. Add music and zany costumes and see what the recipe yields!

MURDER MYSTERY SHOWCASE (Grades 6-9)

It’s a classic case of the “whodunit?!” Was it the butler? The maid? We don’t know who’s to blame in these classic Murder Mysteries. Come learn the art of acting while bringing fun Murder Mystery cases to life! Students will begin to explore character, improvisation, vocal techniques, and of course - theatre games! If you love to act, and want to perform in a play, this class is for you!

READY, SET, IMPROV! (Grades 3-5)

In this class, you'll have tons of fun playing theatre games, using your imagination to create characters, build scenes, and invent whole new worlds through improvisation. Improvisation (or "improv") is a type of theatre where you come up with stories on the spot! We'll perform our favorite improv games and activities during both Noontime Performance and Festival Day. If you love acting, and making up stories, this class is for you!

SET DESIGN / CONSTRUCTION (Grades 7-9)

STORY THEATRE (Grades 3-5)

In this class, you'll bring favorite stories to life on the stage! Have fun as you explore new ways to express yourself, gain confidence, learn acting skills, and make friends. You'll play theatre games, act out different characters and stories, and work together to create a terrific performance! If you love stories and acting, this class is for you!

Music

DRUMS (Grades 3-5)

In this introductory class, we will explore the world of rhythms. We will learn how to read simple drum music and will play our own pieces. Bring in your favorite song, and we can discuss and play to it! We will watch examples of drum performance and talk about the drumming greats who came before us.

iBAND (Grades 3-5)

Who thought that putting technology and music together could be so fun? In this class we will learn how to play music on the iPad! We will play music as an ensemble, work individually on some tech savvy apps, and create music in small groups.

JAZZ BAND (Grade 3-9)

This class is for students who have some experience on their instruments, whether it be through private lessons or school band. What is the blues and swing music REALLY about? We will learn the music of jazz musicians who came before us both by ear and from written music. We will learn how to improvise and even make up some songs of our own! This class is for the 'cool cats'. Drums, piano, and amps are provided. Everyone else must bring their own instrument.

ROCK BAND (Grades 3-9)

These classes are for students who have been playing an instrument for at least two years (or singing for one) and would like to get experience playing popular songs in an ensemble setting. We will focus on how to play a groove, basic improvisation, using dynamics, and how music is arranged for multiple instrumentalists (and vocalists).

SONGWRITING (Grades 6-9)

SHOW CHOIR (Grades 4-9)

Love singing? Love dancing? Love music? Then this class is perfect for you. We will sing some of your favorite show tunes and pop hits, and of course dance along, too. We will have fun harmonizing, learning choreography, and performing.

VOICE CLASS (Grades 6-9)

Calling all singers! In this class you will learn how to sing your favorite popular music by learning how to do so classically. We will learn classical pieces as well as popular music. You will learn how to breathe correctly and apply classical singing to popular songs. We will also tackle performing in front of others and make performances fun and exciting!

Digital Art & Science

CIRCUIT PLAYGROUND (Grades 5-9)

Think coding means just staring at a computer screen? Think again. Learn to use light, sound, touch, and movement to make the newest trend in fashion, to help with the latest scientific discovery, or to finally start that band you've dreamed of. The gap between science and art is shrinking. Are you ready to jump in?

CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY (Grades 3-5)

Think programming isn’t for you? Think again. The media lab breaks down traditional subject areas. Musicians, artists, actors, and producers will work together to invent new experiences that are at the edge of technological advances. First, students will learn the basics of computer science and electronic engineering. Then, by working together, students will go through the phases of a LEAN startup by creating and testing new experiential artworks. Students will then present their final project at the end of camp. No programming experience is required. Only an imagination, desire to create with others, and commitment to a final project are needed. Students will learn how to code in Ruby and Python.

DIGITAL ARTS I (Grades 3-5) and II (Grades 6-9)

EDIBLE ART I (Grades 3-5) and II (Grades 6-9)

Ever wanted to make your own samosas, scallion pancakes or vegetable pakoras? Would you enjoy designing your own line of snack bars and delicious cold beverages? If you delight in trying a variety of foods, and the reward of cooking and eating your own creations, then this is the class for you! We will also be making delicious salads and desserts, as well as revisiting sushi, summer rolls, gnocchi and ramen. During each class we will be learning to follow and design recipes, as well as food safety, measurements and timing, as we experiment, taste, and create our own edible art!

iBAND (Grades 3-5)

Who thought that putting technology and music together could be so fun? In this class, we will learn how to play music on the iPad! We will play music as an ensemble, work individually on some tech savvy apps, and create music in small groups.

LEGO ROBOTICS DESIGN AND INVENTION I (Grades 3-5) and II (Grades 6-9)

Long before Steve roamed the land of Minecraft, children played with the original building blocks - LEGOS!!! These plastic architectural nuggets come together to create anything you can imagine. Even more exciting is how we will bring them to life! Using the LEGO Mindstorms software, we'll explore the basics of computer programming to see your creations follow your every instruction. Starting out with the basics of structure and movement, and graduating into more complicated routines, you'll be in command of a complex robot by the time we reach Festival Day.

MAKE A MOVIE I (Grades 3-5)

MAKE A MOVIE II (Grades 6-9)

WEB SERIES (Grades 6-9)

VIDEO GAME DESIGN (Grades 6-9)

Do you love video games? Have you ever wanted to make a video game your own? Well now you can! In Video Game Design we will be exploring how to make RPGs, Platformers, Dungeon Crawlers and everything in between! Using Gamemaker, you will learn the basics of creating a game: making levels, programming movement, creating your own character and finally putting it all together! But these games aren’t just for CAP, you can take them home and play them with your friends and family!

Athletics

BACKYARD GAMES (Grades 6-9)

Summertime is about backyard games: kickball, tag football, wiffle ball, dodgeball, foursquare, TAPS, tag, and Frisbee. What’s your favorite backyard game? In this class, students can help choose the games and even create new ones! Come have fun in CAP’s backyard.

BASKETBALL I (Grades 3-5) and II (Grades 6-9)

Learn how to play like the pros! Become a better passer, shooter, dribbler, and rebounder! We’ll practice the fundamentals of basketball and play fun, competitive games like horse, 3 on 3, and knock out, too. Join the CAP basketball team to develop your skills and become a team player. Become your favorite player and see how you do in the 2016 season at CAP! We're looking for kids who want to have fun!

CREATIVE SPORTS (Grades 3-5)

In CAP’s Creative Sports, we will develop new games using elements of all of the games we love to play. Have an idea for a new sport? Love to combine your talents together into one amazing moment of triumph? Then Creative Sports is for you! We seek to create moments of exhilarating competition in a good spirited atmosphere where fair play and fun rule.

SOCCER I (Grades 3-5) and II (Grades 6-9)

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world! To play soccer is to speak a global language! Come join the CAP soccer squad as we learn the fundamentals of games and drills. We will develop skills that will not only help in soccer, but in all athletics as well. In this class, we will work on the basic skills of soccer: dribbling, passing, shooting. Soccer is an excellent way to learn the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship. And it’s FUN!

VOLLEYBALL (Grades 6-9)

Volleyball is one of the greatest outdoor/indoor sports and this is an opportunity to learn all about it. We focus on learning the basic skills of the game like passing, serving, and hitting. Develop confidence in your game, and have an awesome time. Come join us for a summer of CAP Volleyball!

WIFFLE BALL (Grades 3-9)

What better way to spend your summer days than playing a Brooklyn neighborhood tradition, Wiffle Ball! So, oil up your mitts and get ready to practice fun drills, play games, and keep stats! We'll choose team names. Who'll be the Yankees? How about the Mets? Who likes the Royals? Who will be our CAP World Series Champion? Good sportsmanship needed.

Swimming

Each swimming class is open to students of ANY grade – Students should pick the level that seems right and they will be tested on the first day of the program. If necessary, students can move to a class that’s a better fit for their skill level.

I BEGINNER AND ADVANCED BEGINNER

In this course, we will work on basic water safety and strengthen our aquatic abilities. We will learn skills like submersion techniques, breath control, gliding, crawl-stroke, kicking while prone or on back, and survival skills like treading water and jumping in with recovery. More advanced swimmers will practice new skills include rhythmic breathing, freestyle, backstroke, underwater swimming, deep water comfort, and diving.

II INTERMEDIATE

In the Intermediate course, we will strengthen our aquatic abilities by adding to the skills learned in the beginner course. New skills include rhythmic breathing, freestyle, backstroke, underwater swimming, deep water comfort, and diving.

III ADVANCED

Students will be introduced to a wide variety of swimming skills, building on skills mastered in previous courses. The sidestroke and breaststroke are introduced. We will focus on endurance, and students will be expected to complete a 10 minute treading water test.