Camp Info
| Ages: | 5–15 |
| Type: | Day |
| Month: | Summer |
| Gender: | Co-Ed |
| Setting: | City |
| Arts: | Arts, Fine Arts, Ceramics, Painting, Pottery |
[email protected]
Encinitas, CA, USA
Art Camp & Art Tiles By Carla is a ceramic arts camp focused on hands-on clay building, pottery, mosaics, glazing, color mixing, and painting. The camp has been running for more than 30 years and is led by Carla Funk, a professional artist with decades of experience in painting, drawing, custom tile murals, ceramics, and art education.
The camp atmosphere is imaginative, personal, and very hands-on. Campers do not just copy a single project. They learn clay techniques, watch demonstrations, practice step-by-step skills, and then use their own ideas to create pieces that feel personal. Projects may include castles, birdhouses, vases, animals, favorite storybook characters, mosaic tiles, picture frames, and pottery wheel creations.
The camp is listed for ages 5–14+, with children ages 5–15 described in the broader camp information. Four-year-olds may be accepted if developmentally ready. All ages work together, and the camp notes that younger students are often inspired by older campers while advanced students can refine and expand their work.
This camp will appeal most to children who like art, clay, texture, color, and open-ended making. It is especially good for kids who enjoy creating from scratch and seeing a project move from soft clay to fired, glazed artwork.
| Ages: | 5–15 |
| Type: | Day |
| Month: | Summer |
| Gender: | Co-Ed |
| Setting: | City |
| Arts: | Arts, Fine Arts, Ceramics, Painting, Pottery |
You won’t be charged yet. The camp will contact you to confirm all terms first.
| Dates | Days | Price | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 3 - Aug 7, 2026 | 5 | $395 |
Art Camp & Art Tiles By Carla is a day camp. Campers attend during the half-day camp session and return home afterward. No overnight lodging, cabins, dorm rooms, hotel stays, or residential supervision are included.
The camp runs from 9:00 AM to 12:45 PM. The format is shorter than a full-day camp but long enough for campers to work through clay projects, mosaic work, pottery wheel lessons, painting, glazing, and an end-of-week wrap-up. Families should plan for daily drop-off and pick-up.
The camp takes place in a home-studio, covered patio, and shaded backyard setting. This gives the program a different feel from a large commercial art center. Campers work in a creative environment filled with handmade ceramics, garden inspiration, and messy art materials.
This is a studio-style clay camp, not a general recreation camp. The day is centered on ceramics, art-making, and creative exploration.
Campers should bring lunch and a water bottle. Food is not listed as provided by the camp.
Even though the camp is a half-day program, families should pack food because the camp information specifically asks campers to bring lunch. A simple lunch that is easy to manage during a studio day is best. A labeled water bottle is also important, especially because campers may be working outdoors or on the patio.
Art Camp & Art Tiles By Carla uses non-toxic clay and glaze materials. Campers work with ceramics, paint, grout cement, glass or tile pieces for mosaics, and pottery tools, so the camp is very hands-on and can get messy.
Closed shoes are required for grouting on Friday. This is especially important because grout work and mosaic materials can involve heavier or sharper materials than simple drawing or painting. Families should also dress children in clothes that can get stained. Grout, cement, and tempera paints may stain clothing.
A waiver is part of the camp process and is provided for signature on the first day. The registration form also asks about questions or special needs, giving families a place to share important information before camp.
Campers should dress for messy, hands-on art. The camp uses non-toxic clay and glaze materials, but grout cement and tempera paints can stain clothing. Closed shoes are required for grouting day.
The registration process includes a place for families to note questions or special needs. This gives parents a way to share concerns before the child attends. A waiver is available for review and is signed on the first day of camp.
The camp involves shaping clay, using tools, making mosaics, painting, glazing, and working with wet or textured materials. Children should be comfortable with messy sensory work and able to participate in a small studio environment.
Art Camp & Art Tiles By Carla is built around ceramics from start to finish. Campers begin by learning how clay works as a material: how it can be molded, shaped, cut, textured, reworked, and refined. This gives children freedom to experiment while still learning real techniques.
The first part of the week focuses on clay construction. Campers are shown several projects and techniques, then build pieces using coil, slab, pinch, and sculpting methods. Projects may include castles, birdhouses, vases, animals, storybook characters, or ideas that campers bring from their own imagination.
The pottery wheel is a special part of the week. Campers learn how to center clay and throw a pot on the wheel, with support from Carla, her staff, and visiting potters. After firing, campers decorate and glaze their clay work.
The week also includes a mosaic project, color mixing, and painting. Friday brings the satisfying finish: campers gather their creations, pack them in a labeled box, and take home a collection of handmade artwork.
A $50 deposit is required per child to reserve space.
Deposit may be paid by personal check, cashier’s check, or cash.
