Juniper’s New Summer Model

After four years of summer camp, Juniper Arts Academy saw an opportunity to rethink what summer programming could look like for our students.

Rather than offering a short-term camp experience, we launched a new eight-week summer model designed to give youth more consistency, connection, and opportunities to explore the arts. Meeting twice a week, students spent their summer learning through a variety of visual arts classes while building relationships, developing new skills, and having a space where they could simply be themselves.

During school breaks, excess free time can sometimes create opportunities for dysregulation, isolation, or unhealthy activities. By providing a consistent and welcoming space throughout the summer, Juniper gave students an opportunity to channel that time into creativity while building healthy coping skills, connecting with supportive adults and peers, and continuing their educational journey outside the classroom.

The students themselves captured the impact best:

“Juniper lets me be myself.”

“Juniper lets us leave our stress at the door.”

“Art is therapeutic for me...I’m so grateful to have Juniper this summer.”

The impact reached beyond the artwork created in the studio. Across all eight classes, 100% of students reported experiencing a positive mood lift after class.

For Juniper, these results show the value of creating consistent opportunities for youth to explore their strengths through trauma-informed arts education. This summer was about more than learning to paint, sew, or sculpt—it was about creating a space where students could express themselves, build connections, and feel supported.