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Turn a day off school into a movie-making sprint: kids ages 7–13 build characters, shoot frame-by-frame, and premiere their short films in Midland. Bring a packed lunch and expect an afternoon screening at 3 p.m.
Turn a day off school into a movie-making sprint: kids ages 7–13 build characters, shoot frame-by-frame, and premiere their short films in Midland. Bring a packed lunch and expect an afternoon screening at 3 p.m.
Book with Creative 360
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Creative 360 · Midland, Michigan
At 5501 Jefferson Ave in Midland, Michigan, Schools Out Camp: Stop-Motion Animation turns a school-day pause into a hands-on film workshop for kids. For one spirited day, children ages 7–13 move from storyboard to screen in a studio space rigged with tabletop camera stations, lighting kits, puppet tables and a small screening area where finished shorts get their first audience.
The daylong format (9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.) compresses the full arc of low-budget moviemaking into six concentrated hours: story planning, character and set design, frame-by-frame shooting, and a midday edit that folds clips into a short premiere at 3 p.m. Instructors guide small groups through practical tools—basic stop-motion techniques, simple armature construction, and how to coax motion out of clay, paper, or found objects. The environment rewards hands-on problem solving; the studio’s camera rigs and adjustable LED lights are scaled for kids, so technical hurdles don’t eclipse creativity.
What makes this camp special is how tactile the craft is. Unlike passive screen time, stop-motion insists on physical storytelling: molding characters, arranging miniature props, and nudging a puppet’s limb an exact millimeter for a single frame. The screening moment—complete with applause at 3 p.m.—is a formative reward. Parents welcome the chance to see a finished piece that their child wrote, built, and shot the same day.
Midland itself lends a practical cultural backdrop. The city’s history as an industrial and creative hub, including the long-standing presence of Dow Chemical, has helped sustain local arts and educational programming. The venue at 5501 Jefferson Ave operates as a community hub during school breaks, offering space, tools, and instructors focused on STEAM learning rather than pure entertainment.
This camp is ideal for curious kids who like crafts, storytelling, or tinkering with gadgets. It builds patience, sequencing skills, and basic cinematography in an environment designed for short attention spans: hands-on, modular, and fast-moving. Logistics are straightforward—bring a packed lunch, and expect pick-up at 3:30 p.m. The price listed for the session is $60; check the bookable page for current availability.
For families visiting Midland, this is a compact, high-value creative experience that complements outdoor exploration and museum trips. It’s a practical way to keep a school-aged child engaged during a day off school—a workshop that leaves participants with a short film, new skills, and a tangible sense of accomplishment.
Supervision ratios are kept low so instructors can troubleshoot camera angles and puppet rigs while encouraging original ideas. The program emphasizes safe materials—non-toxic clays, child-safe adhesives, and battery-powered lighting—and introduces simple editing apps so each film can be exported to a parent-friendly format. Whether a first-timer or a repeat camper, kids leave with a printed still frame and a digital copy to share with family and friends.
easy.
6 hours.
Campers should be able to sit, focus on small tasks, and use fine motor skills for several hours.
This session is aimed at ages 7–13.
The camp runs 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., with a film premiere for families at 3 p.m.
Bring a packed lunch and a water bottle; most materials (clay, adhesives, camera rigs) are provided.
The listed price for the session is $60; check the booking link for current pricing and availability.
Yes—staff use non-toxic clays, child-safe adhesives, and low-voltage lighting appropriate for school-aged children.
Yes—parents and family are welcome to attend the 3 p.m. screening to see the finished films.
Midland’s industrial and cultural growth includes the long-standing presence of Dow Chemical, which helped support local educational programming.
The program encourages reuse of set materials and uses non-toxic art supplies; families are asked to minimize single-use waste.
Creative 360 is a community-centered arts organization based in Midland, Michigan, offering a broad calendar of performances, classes, workshops, and volunteer opportunities. Dedicated to accessible arts education, Creative 360 runs inclusive semesters such as Artshop Clay and Artshop Painting Explorations that welcome participants of all ages and abilities, including those with disabilities. Small class sizes—typically limited to eight students for specialized hands-on art sessions—ensure personalized attention and skill development. Creative 360 presents recurring public performances including the free Sound Community Music Series held every second Wednesday, featuring classical and jazz artists like Trio Rubaton and electro-acoustic sets. The venue hosts visiting artists and special concerts such as the June performance by Michigan native Sarah Bomber. Seasonal programming includes a Summer Theatre Intensive for ages 11–17 where students audition, rehearse, and perform under a professional director, and short-term workshops like Sewing for Everyone focused on upcycling and practical skills. Community engagement is central to Creative 360’s mission: the organization operates volunteer programs that allow community members to support events and enjoy performances, and coordinates special events such as the inaugural Holiday Art Fair during Midland’s Holiday Arts Weekend. Additional offerings like Tai Chi 360 provide wellness-focused movement classes suitable for all levels. Creative 360 partners with local artists and instructors to maintain a varied, community-rooted schedule of arts experiences in Midland.
Book with Creative 360