Design Camp

Design Camp

In summer 2023, we will offer in-person camps on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, as well as a virtual camp. Registration for the summer 2023 camps is now open. 

What you need to know:

Design Camp offers the chance to learn about the design professions through hands-on projects, 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 Camp: students entering 9th — 12th grades 
Advanced Design Camp: students entering 11th — 12th grades  
Virtual Design Camp (School-guided): students entering 8th — 12th grades*

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

Fayetteville Camp 1

June 12–16 — University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
(entering grades 9–12)
Overnight camp available (starts June 11)

Fayetteville Camp 2

June 19–23 — University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
(entering grades 9–12)
Overnight camp available (starts June 18)

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)

June 11–23 — University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, plus evening and weekend activities
(entering grades 11–12)

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 26–30
(entering grades 8–12)

For students entering 8th-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, 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 you will get to know the students during the week. Supplies are not provided, but an optional materials kit can be purchased during the registration process.

Cost:

Registration for all camps will be open through May 19, 2023.

Fayetteville Camps 1 and 2:
            Day camp only — $400
            Day camp plus overnight residential stay — $700
            ($50 early bird discount if registered before March 10)

Fayetteville Advanced Camp:
            $1,650
            ($100 early bird discount if registered before March 10)

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

Scholarships:

Need-based full and partial scholarships are available. You will note your interest in scholarships on the registration form.

Transportation:

New this year, we have a chartered a bus to help students needing transportation up to Fayetteville. The bus will be staffed with two drivers and two Design Camp Teaching Assistants. The bus will only be available for those attending the Fayetteville Camp 1 Overnight Camp from June 11-16.

The bus will head down early Sunday morning on June 11 and will make its first pickups in Lake Village. From there, it will proceed to Monticello, then Pine Bluff, then Little Rock for more pickups, and then continue on to Fayetteville. The bus will only be available for those attending the Fayetteville Camp 1 Overnight Camp and will pickup once on Sunday, June 11, and make dropoffs on Friday, June 16, after camp is over, which could mean the bus will arrive late at night on June 16. There will be no other trips via the bus, so if there should be any reason that your camper would need to leave camp early, the responsibility is on you to retrieve them.

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. View a sample schedule of our weeklong camps.

Cancellations/refunds:

The last day to request a full refund is May 1, 2023. The last day to request a partial refund is May 19, 2023.

For more information, contact faycamp@uark.edu.