Summer Camps 2025

Summer Camps 2025

Kent Historical Society will present weekly Summer Camps exploring art and history at Seven Hearths Museum and the Art Barn located at 4 Studio Hill Road, Kent, CT. Weekly sessions will explore themes in the arts, culture, and history. History Camp will utilize the historic 1751 Seven Hearths House to learn about 274 years of history and art along with hands-on activities. Art Camps are inspired by the landscape, the gardens, and the artwork of George Laurence Nelson. Nelson painted still-lifes, portraits, and en plein air while he and his wife Helen lived in Seven Hearths from 1919 - 1978.

Important Information
Please read & complete the Summer Camp Registration Packet. This contains the Registration Form, Medical Form & Release to complete Summer Camp Registration.

Summer Camp Kent Historical Society

Art through History

July 7 - 11 | 9:30am - 12:30pm [Ages 6 - 8] Register online >>
& 1:00pm - 4:00pm [Ages 8 - 12] Register online >>

Learn about art by exploring the past! Students will explore a variety of skills and techniques inspired by historical methods. Draw your own patterns with dots to create Tin Hole Punch designs. Create amazing Marbled Paper for bookmaking. Take fabric scraps to upcycle into colorful Quilting projects. Explore sunshine and light to create Cyanotypes using photographic techniques. Each day will be a new exploration! Led by Teaching Artist Shannon Blanton.

Fees & Payment:

For Each Session: Family Members; $225 | Non-Member; $250
Future Family Member: $275 (includes Family Membership ~ pay for one session and then each additional session is charged at the Family Members price)

History Camp

July 14 - 18 | 9:30am - 2:30pm  [Ages 8 - 12] Register online >>

Explore 274 years of history through authentic objects, photographs and exhibits featured in Seven Hearths Museum. Learn about the past through games and fun, hands-on activities like sewing and writing with a feather pen and ink. Try tasting farm-style “gatorade” and creative projects such as making books and corn husk dolls. Led by Executive Director & Educator Christine Jewell.

Art in the Garden

July 21 - 25 | 9:30am - 12:30pm [Ages 6 - 8] Register online >>
& 1:00pm - 4:00pm [Ages 8 - 12] Register online >>

Just as George Lawrence Nelson was inspired by the landscape of Kent and Litchfield County, campers will learn to paint and draw “en plein air” outside using the garden and landscape of Seven Hearths as our muse. Students will learn techniques of drawing, painting, and oil pastel to render the beauty of nature. Let your creativity blossom!  Led by Teaching Artist Shannon Blanton.

Meet our Educators!

Christine JewellChristine Jewell is a dedicated and innovative educator with over 20 years of experience. She has taught summer camps, workshops and programs integrating the arts, history and culture at the Mattatuck Museum, Fairfield Museum and History Center and at Westport Continuing Education. Christine combines her love of vintage objects, notions and fabrics into her mixed media work that includes bookmaking, fiber arts and mixed media collage. 

Teaching Artist Shannon BlantonStudio Shannanagins is the teaching philosophy of artist Shannon Blanton. Blanton is a working artist who believes in art as play. Her classes incorporate art history, technique development, and a high level of experimentation. Classes are driven by a creative goal which becomes individualized as each student brings their own voice to the table. In Blanton's classes students of all abilities are able to harness the magic of ingenuity and focused playfulness. Blanton maintains a studio in Gaylordsville CT and has taught locally and nationally.

Info

Snacks: Please provide your child with a NUT-FREE snack and water.

What to wear: Students should wear clothes that may get messy from painting and other hands-on activities. Please, no open-toed shoes such as flip-flops or sandals. Sneakers are suggested, unless noted otherwise.

 

Summer Camp Kent Historical Society

Registration

  • All paperwork for a camper must be on file a week before the start of the program.
  • REGISTRATION CLOSES at 11:55pm on the Friday before Camp starts.
  • A valid e-mail must accompany your registration as we send forms and communication via e-mail. Please ensure your e-mail is up-to-date upon registration.
  • Registration must be accompanied by payment in full.
  • KHS must have at least 6 students registered in order to run.
  • Children must have reached the required age prior to the first class of the session.
  • If you cannot submit a medical form due to religious exemption or contraindication, we must have notification. Please click here for information on State of CT regulations for exemptions to camp physicals and for needed notification forms.

 

 

Refunds

Please plan carefully. Camps are not prorated and refunds are not eligible after the first day of camp.

  • There is a $25 administrative fee per session for all refund requests.
  • All requests must be submitted via email to  info@kenthistoricalsociety.org
  • A full refund is given if requested by email at least 2 weeks in advance of the first day of camp.
  • A 75% refund is given within 2 weeks of the first day of camp.
  • Written withdrawal requests received after the first day of camp are not eligible for a refund unless deemed an emergency situation. These will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 
  • Campers who are out due to illness, whether kept home by parents or deemed ineligible due to CDC guidelines (temperature, etc.), will not be eligible for a refund.
  • If any program is cancelled by  in full or in part, a refund will be issued equal to the tuition
  • Membership payments made in conjunction with summer camp registrations are non-refundable.