Exploring the Arts-Huron County is a non-profit founded to provide an inclusive fine arts camp for students taught by professional artists and educators, allowing participants the opportunity to explore a wide spectrum of the fine arts, from painting to sculpting, fiber arts, carving, art journaling, mindful art, drama, dance and music, culminating in an all-student art show/display and performance open to families and the public.

We held our first arts camp for one week in August of 2022. We had 21 kids, ages 8-12, in Elkton. Our teachers wanted to expand for 2023, so we held 2, one-week camps for kids from 7-14. We more than doubled attendance and used the Youth Center and the Elkton Civic Center to accommodate the increase in students. It is a day camp running from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm.

In preparation for our third year, we were pleasantly surprised as parents started contacting us in May to register their children. We finished our 3rd year on Friday, August 16, 2024, with 71 kids over the 2 weeks and welcomed three new teachers. We do not turn children away because of their financial situations. We charge $75.00 for the camp week, $50 for siblings, and we average 10 students on scholarships and work very hard to keep our camp affordable for families.

As we prepare for our 4th year, we are excited to announce that the Elkton Missionary Church has invited us to use their facility and so encouraged that parents started contacting us in January to register their children. As I write today, June 15, 2025, we have 70 out of 72 spots filled for our August camp. Again, we are welcoming new teachers who have heard about our camp and share our excitement in how the arts positively affect children’s development, not just academically but mentally and emotionally. Our students learn new ways to respond when their projects don’t go as planned. We see students’ growth in the way they support and accept each other no matter their abilities, including

our students with special needs.

As our attendance has increased, so have our costs such as Tee Shirts, student tote bags, art supplies, printing for fliers, name tags, water, emergency lunch items and snacks. So, with a higher number of

students come more costs.

We provide a camp tee shirt with our logo and year for each student and staff member. We use quality art supplies because very inexpensive supplies make it more difficult and frustrating for our students to succeed in creating their projects.

Our teachers are professionals, and we provide them with a stipend. All our teachers are current or retired schoolteachers and/or professional artists with extensive teaching experience who provide a positive, safe and encouraging environment for the students.

We also give back to the facilities that have opened their doors to host our arts camp. We provide toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates, napkins, garbage bags and other housekeeping necessities and we leave the facility in as good or better condition as when we started.

So, with all that said, we are asking for financial help by donating to our camp. The expenses for an average two-week camp year are $9,000. Despite 3 grants being received and registration money, we still have a need for $2,500 to meet our goals this year. Please help us be able to continue to offer students an affordable path to develop their creativity and explore the arts.

Thank you for your time and any consideration you give us.

Sincerely,

Kevin & Laurie Cook

Founders