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Culture the Kids at these Design-Focused Summer Camps

Four of the top city day camp programs for design-savvy prodigies

By Eric Mutrie

Harbourfront Centre
Sessions run: Jun 29-Sep 4
Best Bet: Architecture & Urban Design, Jul 27-Aug 7
Forget nature hikes. Send the kids on some urban strolls – no bug spray required! Frank Gehrys and Zaha Hadids-in-training, aged 11-15, will have plenty to take in during this nine-day program. In past years, field trips to such places as the TD Centre encouraged campers to think about what makes buildings attractive, while hands-on projects asked them to plan a waterfront redevelopment. $440, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W harbourfrontcentre.com

Design Exchange
Sessions run: Jul 6-Aug 28
Best Bet: House of DX, July 27-31
This five-day workshop teaches junior stylists to take the summer camp uniform of sweat pants and plaid flannels to a whole new level. Campers, aged 11-13, will hone their fashion instincts and develop designs from sketchbook to runway-ready. Many other couture-centric sessions run throughout the summer, covering everything from pattern-making to street-style photography. $345, Design Exchange, 234 Bay St, dx.org

ROM
Sessions run: Jun 29-Sep 4
Best Bet: Magnificent Mosaics, Aug 24-28
Encourage young creatives to study some arts and crafts that have stood the test of time. On display as part of Pompeii: In the Shadow of the Volcano, an ancient Roman mosaic of a leashed dog is more than 2,000 years old. Taking inspiration from this and other works in the ROM’s collection, campers, aged 11-14, will use ceramic, stone and glass to create their own spectacular designs. $290, ROM, 100 Queen’s Pk, rom.on.ca

AGO/OCAD U
Sessions run: Jun 29-Sep 4
Best Bet: Designing for the Green City, Jun 29-Jul 10; Jul 27-Aug 7
Leave it to these two institutions adjacent to Grange Park to introduce kids to our urban jungle’s greenery. This two-week program teaches budding landscape designers, aged 8-13, about Toronto’s climate and plants. Campers will brainstorm designs for new green spaces that are attractive to people and sensitive to local critters. $595, AGO, 317 Dundas St W, ago.net

Originally published in our Summer 2015 issue as Summer Champs.


Categories: News

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