For more than 30 years, I had the joy of teaching young children and watching their creativity come alive. One of the most beloved areas in my classroom was something I called The Creation Station — a table filled with open-ended materials where children could invent, build, imagine, and explore freely.

Over the years, I watched children create incredible things — animals, machines, cities, and imaginative worlds. More importantly, I watched them develop confidence, problem-solving skills, and friendships as they worked together and shared ideas.

In 2020, due to the COVID pandemic, I stepped away from the classroom after many wonderful years of teaching. I had planned to continue working in education, but that unexpected change opened the door to something new. During that time, several of my longtime teen helpers reached out to ask about their usual summer jobs assisting with school camps. Since I was no longer at the school and those camps were not being offered, their questions sparked an idea — what if we created a similar creative experience right here at home?

I began offering sensory-rich, open-ended art and play experiences from my home studio here in Coppell. What started as a small program has grown into a vibrant creative environment where children explore through art, building, dramatic play, outdoor discovery, and imaginative invention.

Since bringing these classes to Coppell, hundreds of local children — many from Coppell and surrounding communities — have participated in camps, classes, and creative experiences, with many returning again and again.

The Next Step

The Coppell Creation Station is now in the process of becoming a nonprofit organization, with a mission of:

Building creativity, confidence, and connection through art and play.

In addition to serving younger children, the program also provides leadership opportunities for tweens and teens who assist in camps and classes. These young helpers gain valuable experience in responsibility, mentorship, and leadership as they support younger children in bringing their creative ideas to life.

How Funds Will Help

Funds raised will support:

• Nonprofit filing and legal startup costs

• Scholarships for children to attend camps and classes

• Art materials and creative supplies

• Maintenance and improvements to studio and outdoor spaces

• Enhancements to areas like the mud kitchen, building areas, and creation spaces

Open House

You’re invited to visit and learn more at our Open House & Summer Camp Preview:

Saturday, April 25, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

717 Villawood Lane, Coppell

• Explore the creative spaces

• Meet Ms. Patty & Mr. Tim

• Learn about summer camps

• find out about tween & teen volunteer and assistant opportunities

• Paint a tile for the mud kitchen- These tiles will help create a permanent, child-created feature of The Coppell Creation Station

If you’re unable to attend but would still like to contribute, donations can be made here through this GoFundMe.

Our Goal

Our initial goal of $5,000 will help cover startup costs, scholarships, and improvements to creative spaces so more children can benefit from these experiences. With your support, The Coppell Creation Station can continue to grow as a place where children are free to imagine, invent, build, and explore. If you’d like to help launch this next chapter, any contribution — large or small — will make a meaningful difference.

Thank you for supporting The Coppell Creation Station.