What ages is this camp for?

This session is aimed at ages 7–13.

What are the daily hours?

The camp runs 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., with a film premiere for families at 3 p.m.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring a packed lunch and a water bottle; most materials (clay, adhesives, camera rigs) are provided.

How much does it cost?

The listed price for the session is $60; check the booking link for current pricing and availability.

Are materials safe for kids?

Yes—staff use non-toxic clays, child-safe adhesives, and low-voltage lighting appropriate for school-aged children.

Can parents stay for the premiere?

Yes—parents and family are welcome to attend the 3 p.m. screening to see the finished films.

Schools Out Camp: Stop-Motion Animation — One-Day Filmmaking Workshop in Midland, MI | Workshop | Events

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.