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Grades
5-8

Extraordinary
Experiences

Engaging
Classes

Exploration
& Fun

Minds Alive!
Summer Camp

Half-day or full-day
Options

Get ready for a summer of exploration and fun!

At Minds Alive! Middle School Summer Camp your child will have an extraordinary experience in engaging classes designed specifically for curious and adventurous children entering grades 5 through 8. Get ready for a summer of exploration and fun!

Phone: 520-327-6395
Email: mindsalive@gregoryschool.org

Quick Links

Classes meet Monday through Friday

In observance of Juneteenth, there will be no camp on Friday, June 19.

You may choose either the half-day or full-day option. For example, if you choose the half-day option, please choose one class in either the morning or afternoon per session. If you choose the full-day option, choose two classes, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, for each session. Please note that lunch is provided for full-day students.

Session 1

June 1 - June 12

  • Sports and Fitness
    9:30 am to 12 pm
  • Pottery Playground
    9:30 am to 12 pm
  • Let’s Put on a Show!
    9:30 am to 12 pm
  • Writer’s Workshop
    9:30 am to 12 pm
  • Musical Madness
    12:30pm to 3:00pm
  • Cooking with Chef Noelle
    12:30pm to 3:00pm
  • Welcome to the FabLab
    12:30pm to 3:00pm
  • Masterpiece Makers
    12:30pm to 3:00pm

Session 2

Camp closed for holiday on June 19.
June 15 - June 26
  • Sports and Fitness
    9:30 am to 12 pm
  • Art Explorer’s Workshop
    9:30 am to 12 pm
  • Let’s Put on a Show
    9:30 am to 12 pm
  • Arts & Crafts through Time
    9:30 am to 12 pm
  • Musical Madness
    12:30 pm to 3:00 pm
  • Cooking with Chef Noelle
    12:30 pm to 3:00 pm
  • Welcome to the FabLab
    12:30 pm to 3:00 pm
  • 3D Art Creations
    12:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Class Descriptions

Session 1

June 1 - June 12
Morning Classes, 9:30 am to 12 pm
Class NameClass Description
Sports and Fitness
Josh Dickinson
This class is a fun way for kids to exercise and develop skills in the air conditioned Gregory School Gym. The class will offer students the opportunity to play and learn about sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, soccer, and tennis. Students will be guided to improve their strength, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, and coordination through play and exercise.
Pottery Playground
Rusty Boulet-Stephenson

Get ready for two weeks of messy, fun ceramic creativity! This class is all about exploring what you can do with clay. Learn how to build cool sculptures, create functional art pieces, and experiment with different pottery techniques. We'll cover hand-building and glazing - no pressure, just pure artistic fun! Each day brings a new exciting project, from creating your own unique bowls and plates to crafting wild and wacky sculptures. By the end of the camp, you'll have an awesome collection of clay creations to take home and show off!

Let’s Put on a Show
Lisa Bodden
Come play! Spend two weeks putting on a comedy play with costumes, sets, props, sound, and lights. You’ll improve your acting skills, have fun, and make friends. In the last week of class, we’ll perform on the stage in front of your family and friends.
Writer’s Workshop
Anna Cain
Calling all storytellers! Whether it’s poetry, prose, or paranormal, or fantasy, fiction, or fairytale, this class aims to make writing fun. Everyone has a story to tell. What is yours?
Afternoon Classes, 12:30pm to 3:00pm
Class NameClass Description
Musical Madness
Lisa Bodden
Is putting on a musical in just two weeks madness? Sure, but it’s also a lot of fun! You will act, sing, and dance in a musical with costumes, sets, props, sound, and lights on the stage. On the second to last day of class, we will present the show for family and friends.
Cooking with Chef Noelle
Noelle Zablosky
Do you love to cook? Would you like to learn and practice important skills in the kitchen? This class will include all aspects of basic cooking including knife skills, following recipes and measures, cooking methods and the science behind them, touching slightly upon nutrition and the use of food as healthy fuel for our bodies. Any level of kitchen experience is welcome. Students may attend both sessions as each session will have its own set of recipes.
Welcome to the FabLab
Alyssa Woods
Join us for an exciting two-week journey into the world of digital fabrication at the TGS FabLab! Highlights include 3D printing projects, creative sublimation, laser cutting and engraving, vinyl cutting and sticker creation. We will engage in exciting design challenges that help develop your skills, showcase your expertise, and earn badges in the FabLab. Get ready for innovation, creativity and fun!
Masterpiece Makers
Manuela Straub Martinez
Have you ever wanted to learn more about making art with paint, charcoal, or colored pencils? Welcome to the world of Studio Art! In Masterpiece Makers, we will cover the basics of almost every media related to Studio Arts. In the session, campers will learn how to strategically use acrylic paint, watercolor, charcoal, colored pencils, and so much more through guided group instruction and explore the freedom of creativity. Get ready to get your hands and aprons dirty and use your infinite imagination to create something amazing!

Session 2

June 15 - June 26
Camp closed for holiday on June 19.

Morning Classes, 9:30 am to 12 pm
Class NameClass Description
Sports and Fitness
Josh Dickinson
This class is a fun way for kids to exercise and develop skills in the air conditioned Gregory School Gym. The class will offer students the opportunity to play and learn about sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, soccer, and tennis. Students will be guided to improve their strength, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, and coordination through play and exercise.
Art Explorer’s Workshop
Rusty Boulet-Stephenson
Dive into a world of creative possibilities! This camp is all about trying out different art styles and techniques. You'll explore acrylic painting adventures, develop drawing and sketching skills, learn photo composition and color correction, and participate in fun group art challenges.
Let’s Put on a Show
Lisa Bodden
Come play! Spend two weeks putting on a non-musical play with costumes, sets, props, sound, and lights on the stage. You will improve your performance skills, have fun, and make friends. On the second to last day of class, we will present the show for family and friends.
Arts & Crafts through Time
Anna Cain
Let’s explore history through the arts! We will go back in time to visit ancient Egypt, Greece, Roma, China, Japan, Medieval Europe, and more. At each stop of our time machine, we will learn about culture by making arts crafts.
Afternoon Classes, 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Class NameClass Description
Musical Madness
Lisa Bodden
Is putting on a musical in just two weeks madness? Sure, but it’s also a lot of fun! You will act, sing, and dance in a musical with costumes, sets, props, sound, and lights on the stage. On the second to last day of class, we will present the show for family and friends.
Cooking with Chef Noelle
Noelle Zablosky
Do you love to cook? Would you like to learn and practice important skills in the kitchen? This class will include all aspects of basic cooking including knife skills, following recipes and measures, cooking methods and the science behind them, touching slightly upon nutrition and the use of food as healthy fuel for our bodies. Any level of kitchen experience is welcome. Students may attend both sessions as each session will have its own set of recipes.
Welcome to the FabLab
Alyssa Woods
Join us for an exciting two-week journey into the world of digital fabrication at the TGS FabLab! Highlights include 3D printing projects, creative sublimation, laser cutting and engraving, vinyl cutting and sticker creation. We will engage in exciting design challenges that help develop your skills, showcase your expertise, and earn badges in the FabLab. Get ready for innovation, creativity and fun!
3D Art Creations
Manuela Straub Martinez
Do you want to learn how to build a castle for your action figures? What about a paper mache dinosaur head? In this session, students will be able to create 3D projects by working with materials like paper mache, cardboard, tissue paper and so much more. Campers will have the opportunity to explore the vast versatility of everyday items to make incredible works of 3D art. Come to class with your naturally creative spirit and a head full of wonderful ideas that your hands will learn to make!

Our Teachers

Lisa Bodden

Ms. Bodden has been teaching at The Gregory School since 2000, proudly directing over 50 musical and full-length plays and 100s of one-act plays. She is thrilled to begin another year of Minds Alive!, a program she has been working with from the very first year. When not teaching drama, she is raising her child, going to dance classes, or planning her next adventure!

Rusty Boulet-Stephenson

Rusty Boulet-Stephenson is a graphic designer with 15 years of experience working with Tucson institutions like KXCI Community Radio, Visit Tucson, and Vantage West Credit Union. Currently teaching middle school art at Gregory School, he brings a wealth of creative expertise from owning a custom painting business and pursuing a degree in digital entertainment and game design in his 30s. When not inspiring young artists, Rusty continues to explore his passion for creativity and design, believing that artistic potential can be discovered at any age!

Josh Dickinson

Coach Dickinson has been teaching P.E. For 24 years, 10 at The Gregory school. His experience has included teaching Kindergarten through high school students. He also has experience in coaching basketball, tennis and soccer. This will be his 6th time teaching the sports and fitness class for Minds Alive. He looks forward to helping kids have a fun while learning about, practicing, and playing multiple sports and working to increase their fitness level this summer.

Manuela Straub Martinez

Ms. Manuela is a Gregory School Alum and is now a rising college Sophomore at the University of Arizona studying Environmental Science. Her goal is to encourage kids to build a stronger connection with the world around them, whether that be through art and/or nature. She has experience in both studio art, textiles art, and ceramics and enjoys seeing kids become passionate about creating something new. She enjoys hiking, making art, crocheting, reading, working at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona and spending time with her family (including her dog) in her free time. This is her third year teaching art classes for Minds Alive! and is excited to see what her incredible students can create!

Noelle Zablosky

Chef Noelle Zablosky holds a B.S. from Arizona State University in Food & Nutrition Management with a focus on Child Nutrition. Graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School. Worked in fine dining restaurants before redirecting her career to focus on child nutrition and school lunch program management. She has worked with Sage Dining for 6+ years, previously as Food Service Director at Aspen Country Day School and now as our current Food Service Director here at The Gregory School.

Alyssa Woods

Ms. Woods recently graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.A. in Information Science and Art. During her time there, she worked at the campus Makerspace, honing her skills in technology and design. She is now the FabLab Specialist at The Gregory School, where she inspires students through hands-on projects involving 3D printing, laser cutting, and creative design. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring art projects, playing sports, and relaxing with her cat.

If you have any questions, please contact us by email at mindsalive@gregoryschool.org or phone, (520) 327-6395.