Design Camp

Design Camp

In summer 2024, we will offer in-person camps in Bentonville, North Little Rock, and on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, as well as a virtual camp. Registration for the summer 2024 camps is open!   

What you need to know:

Design Camp offers the chance to learn about the design professions through hands-on design projects, virtual tours and other activities created by Fay Jones School faculty who teach the disciplines of architecture, landscape architecture, and interior architecture and design. In the school-guided camps, students have the opportunity to work closely with faculty and collaborate with peers in a fun and creative on-campus studio or virtual studio environment as they explore the design process. 

Who can attend:

Weeklong Design Camps in Fayetteville and North Little Rock: students entering 9th—12th grades 
Weeklong Design Camp in Bentonville: students ages 8–10 and 11–13
Advanced Design Camp in Fayetteville: students entering 11th—12th grades  
Virtual Design Camp (school-guided): students entering 9th—12th grades*

* Students must be 13 or older when they attend the Virtual Camp.

North Little Rock Camp
June 10-14 / The Innovation Hub at Winrock International, North Little Rock
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
(entering grades 9-12)

This is a weeklong summer camp led by Fay Jones School faculty and students with assistance from local Little Rock practitioners. This camp will be held at The Innovation Hub and will focus on projects and sites in and around North Little Rock and downtown Little Rock. This camp will also have hands on projects and field trips.

Bentonville Camp 
June 10-14 / Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville 
1:30-4:30 p.m. daily
Camp 1 – ages 8-10
Camp 2 – ages 11-13
Register through the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art website. We'll post the link when it's ready.

This is a weeklong summer camp led by Fay Jones School faculty and students. Participants will get to flex their creative muscles and learn how to problem-solve by (literally) building solutions. Inspired by the museum’s own unique design, aspiring architects will develop valuable STEAM skills and learn to draw inspiration from their surroundings — all while having a blast building their own models.

Fayetteville Camp 1
June 17–21 — University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
(entering grades 912)
Overnight Camp available (starts June 16)

Fayetteville Camp 2
June 24–28 — University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
(entering grades 9
12)
Overnight Camp available (starts June 23)

This is a weeklong camp for students entering into 9th-12th grades. The camp is led by Fay Jones School faculty and students, and campers will participate in design projects, tours and discussions about architecture and design. Students will work in studio groups in Vol Walker Hall and have their own individual workspace. During the week, campers will tour the University of Arkansas campus, visit local design projects and meet local design professionals. Students have the option to stay overnight in a residence hall on campus. There are additional activities in the evenings for overnight campers. All supplies, lunch and snacks will be provided as part of the camp fee. Overnight campers will have breakfast and dinner in one of the campus dining halls.

Fayetteville Advanced Camp (two weeks)
** Advanced Camp is full!  Send us an email at faycamp@uark.edu to be placed on the waitlist. In the meantime, go ahead and sign up for one of the weeklong camps if that's also an option for you. 

June 16–28 — University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, plus evening and weekend activities
(entering grades 1112)

This is a two-week-long, residential camp session for juniors and seniors in high school who have more experience in design. This camp provides advanced design students with an immersive design experience and more challenging design problems. Students will stay in a campus residence hall and have planned evening and weekend activities, including field trips. The camp is led by Fay Jones School faculty and students. All meals and supplies and housing are provided as part of the camp fee. Students interested in this camp must apply through our registration portal, which includes explaining their experience in design through attending our camp in the past or through high school classes or community projects. Students will be notified of their acceptance within two weeks of applying. Limited space is available for this camp.

Virtual Camp (School-Guided)
June 24–28
(entering grades 9
12)

For students entering 9th-12th grades. This camp has no fee and will be completely remote. The camp will use an online learning platform with all of the Design Camp lessons imbedded, and students will be able to access the projects and videos and upload their work. There will be daily Zoom sessions to discuss projects, talk about design and the professions, to have “desk crits” and reviews. Students will be paired with a Fay Jones School faculty member and will be part of a “studio” group so that they will get to know the other students during the week. Supplies are not provided, but a materials kit can be purchased during the registration process.

Cost:
Registration for all camps will be open through May 17, 2024.

North Little Rock Camp:
            Day camp only — $400
            ($50 early bird discount if registered before March 8)

Bentonville Camp:
            Half-day camp only — $190
            ($155 for Crystal Bridges members)
           
Registration and payment through the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art website. We'll post the link when it's ready.

Fayetteville Camps 1 and 2:
            Day camp only — $400
            Day plus overnight — $750
            ($50 early bird discount if registered before March 8)

Fayetteville Advanced Camp:
            Two-week residential camp — $1,700
            ($100 early bird discount if registered before March 8)

Virtual Camp:
            Free, registration required
            Materials kit available to purchase for $30 (optional)

Scholarships:
Need-based full and partial scholarships are available for the Fayetteville and North Little Rock camps. You will note your interest in scholarships on the registration form.

Payment links:
If you have already registered and still need to pay for your camp, the links to the payment portal are listed here by camp name and type:

North Little Rock Camp
Fayetteville Camp 1 Day Only
Fayetteville Camp 1 Day + Overnight
Fayetteville Camp 2 Day Only
Fayetteville Camp 2 Day + Overnight
Fayetteville Advanced Camp 
Optional Materials Kit for Virtual Camp Only

More info:
Camps meet on location daily, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Supplies and lunches will be provided.

Have questions? Check out our Camp FAQ sheet

For more information, contact faycamp@uark.edu.