Camp Oya: Creativity. Community. Youth Marketplace

Campers visiting with local artist "BMike" at Studio Be

Camp Oya is a multidisciplinary summer arts program that provides underserved youth ages 8 to 13 with a creative platform where they not only engage in art based activities consisting of visual art classes and weekly explorations to galleries and museums, but youth also engage in community building activities with small business owners and attend entrepreneurial workshops that prepare them to showcase their businesses and products during our culminating program.

Business Banking Workshop With Iberia Bank

Entrepreneur Workshop with Urban League New Orleans

Culminating Marketplace Exhibition

Another strong component of our program is the intentional implementation of a curriculum rooted in New Orleans art and culture. This portion of the program was birthed from  Keepers of The Culture , another arts program developed by Camp Oya's executive director and local artist Journey Allen.

This aspect of the program offers youth a perspective of New Orleans culture as it relates to the impact that the enslaved Africans had on creating the indigenous culture that we take pride in  celebrating today. Additional activities include yoga, swimming, gardening, freedom songs, African drumming and health & fitness classes.

Building Garden Beds at Ms. Gloria's Garden

Yoga at Church of Yoga Studio

By donating to our program not only will you support our initiative to nurture the imagination of our youth through intentional art based programming but you will also provide funding that will cover the costs of daily expenses that will continue to make our program a success. Furthermore, reaching our goal of $14,235 will aid us in providing summer employment opportunities to community members and practicing artist as the success of this campaign will provide A FIVE WEEK CAMP EXPERIENCE VALUED AT $400 TO AN INCREASED NUMBER OF 30 CAMPERS AT NO COST!


Our camp begins May 28, 2019 and will run through June 28, 2019. Your contributions will go towards the following expenses over the course of this 5 week period:

Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks for each camper: $1,200.00  
Supplies and Equipment: $900.00
Field Trip Transportation: $1200.00
Field Trip Fees: $625
Artist Workshop Fees: $1,800.00
Educational Group Leader Wages: $6,300.00
Camp Facility: $1,700.00
Camper T-Shirts: $510.00

TOTAL: $14,235.00
Campers visiting Stella Jones Gallery

Clay Workshop with Veronica Lee

Visit to Ogden Museum

Touring the historical French Quarters

Visiting a French Quarter Gallery Space

Two happy Youth Marketplace Entrepreneurs who THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!!!!