Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, December 28, 29, and 30, 2026
9:00am – 3:00pm with Extended Hours available
$300 per camper – scholarships are available!
For campers in K – 6th grade

Step into the imaginative world of puppetry this winter break! During this special 3-day Winter Puppet Camp, campers will explore a variety of art-making studios, just like a traditional Grace Art Camp, while working toward one exciting shared goal: bringing a puppet play to life!

Inspired by Crickwing by Janell Cannon, campers will create an original puppet production based on the adventure of a clever, artistic cockroach who discovers what it means to be a hero. Through puppet-making, set design, movement, and voice, campers will work alongside teaching artists to bring the story to life while exploring themes of empathy, cooperation, friendship, compassion, and respect for differences. Along the way, campers will discover how art can bring people together and make a difference. On the final day, campers will take the stage to share their collaborative creation with family and friends!

Adapted from CRICKWING © 2000 by Janell Cannon, used with permission.

Meet the Director and Puppet Designers

This winter, Kelly Campbell and Yosmel López are teaming up to inspire campers to explore the art of puppetry and bring their own imaginative creations to life!

Kelly, founder of KCPuppetree and a longtime Grace Art Camp collaborator, has toured original puppet productions across the country, led puppet-making residencies in Portland-area schools, and brings a special passion for combining puppetry with environmental education.

Yos, originally from Cuba, earned degrees in acting and classical guitar from the National School of Arts and spent over a decade designing and building award-winning puppets. At Milagro Theater, he brings stories to life through directing, acting, and design, drawing on his experiences teaching puppetry workshops throughout Latin America.