Ages 5–9

Young artists will discover how plants — and even kitchen scraps — can become beautiful natural dyes. Using onion skins, turmeric, berries, leaves, and other gathered plant materials, campers will experiment with color on fabric and paper, noticing how heat, sunlight, and time transform what we see. We’ll also add simple iron-on patches to our our hand-dyed items — turning small stains or tears into celebrations of texture and color.

Ages 10–12

Older campers will step more deeply into the craft of natural color-making, learning how people across cultures have used plants to dye cloth for generations. Using kitchen and garden materials — like onion skins, avocado pits, marigold, blackberry, and other seasonal plants — we’ll explore mordants, fiber choices, and dye baths to create rich, layered colors.

Campers will also learn visible mending techniques such as sashiko-style stitching, patch-making, and creative repairs — transforming worn garments into artful, meaningful pieces with story and soul. This week blends sustainability, handcraft tradition, and personal expression — encouraging campers to see clothing not as disposable, but as something to care for, honor, and renew.