POTTERY SUMMER CAMP
Ages 8 – 14
What is it?
An opportunity to provide your child with a unique summer experience exploring what it's like to work with clay and build lifelong treasures.
Inclusions
- 9 am - 4 pm programming
- Many stoneware pottery pieces!
- All clay, glaze, and kiln firings
- Outdoor activities
- Pizza lunch on Friday
- Try out the pottery wheel
- A burgundy ZEAL apron!
- Photo gallery
- Pottery showcase for parents and family (Fall 2026 - date TBD)
- Extended hours available for additional fee
Weekly themes
Week A: Mini Everything
Houses + furniture, foods & pocket pets
Week B: Emoji's & faces
Classic emojis, custom moods, mixed expressions, exaggerated faces
Week C: Clay Creatures
Animals, monsters, unicorns, fairies & more
Week D: Nature Impressions
Leaves, shells, textures & earth forms
Week E: Farm Fun
Horses, pigs, barns & more
Week F: Comic Books & Super Hero's
POW! BAM! Superhero's, speech bubbles & more
Week G: Under the Sea
Sea animals, shells, ocean textures
The details
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Deadlines
Apply now- Friday, February 20, 2026: Application forms due
- Friday, February 27, 2026: Receive a ZEAL acceptance/waitlist email by this date. If your child is not accepted in the first round, they will be placed on the waitlist.
- Sunday, March 29, 2026: Receive a ZEAL invoice/registration form/waiver.
- Tuesday, March 31, 2026: Payment & forms due. Failure to receive payment by this date will result in the spot going to another child on the waitlist.
- April TBD: A second round of accepting applications may follow.
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Dates
A. June 29 - July 3 (closed Canada Day Wednesday) | $320+taxes
B. July 6 - 10 | $400+taxes
C. July 13 - 17 | $400+taxes
D. August 3 - 7 (closed Civic Holiday Monday) | $320+taxes
E. August 10 - 14 | $400+taxes
F. August 17 - 21 | $400+taxes
G. August 24 - 28 | $400+taxes -
Hours
9 AM – 4 PM daily
Extended to 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM for an additional fee of $75+taxes per week -
Your creations
Each child will make 2 pieces per day of camp. Examples include: wall hangings, cups, ramekins, houses, magnets, plates, planters, and vases. Programming is still being designed based on each theme.
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What to bring
- Refillable water bottle
- Nut-free lunch and two snacks per day
(except Friday we'll order pizza for lunch) - Active footwear
- Clothing that can get messy
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Rain jacket
- Extra clothing / layers
- Hat
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Camp rules
ZEAL camp rules help ensure all campers' safety, enjoyment, and well-being. Rules will be posted on the door of the studio, and signed by all campers each Monday. You can read them in advance here.
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Pottery showcase
ZEAL will display all camp work from both groups during a special pottery showcase for parents and family members on a date to be determined in Fall 2026. Afterwards, you can take your pieces home!
Example programming: Under the Sea
8:30 AM Early drop off*
9:00 AM Drop-off & activity
Start the day with an exhilarating treasure hunt that will spark your curiosity and sense of adventure!
9:30 AM Hand-building: Seahorse wall hanging - Part I
Unleash your artistic talents by creating a beautiful sea horse wall hanging using slab-rolling techniques.
10:30 AM Morning snack
No need to get hangry at this camp!
10:45 AM Outdoor game
Make like you’re seaweed and try out ocean-limbo!
11:00 AM Hand-building: Seahorse wall hanging - Part II
Complete glaze layers
11:30 AM Outdoor game
Octopus tag is perfect for some fun under the sun!
12:00 PM Packed lunch
Enjoy your packed lunch to refuel and recharge for the afternoon activities.
1:00 PM Hand-building: Sea monster figurine - Part I
Channel your inner artist again as you coil and sculpt a majestic sea dragon figurine.
2:30 PM Afternoon snack
Munch munch
3:00 PM Hand-building: Sea monster figurine - Part II
Complete glaze layers
3:30 PM Team cleanup
Work together with your campmates to tidy up and learn the importance of teamwork and responsibility.
4:00 PM Pick-up
End the day with fond memories and new friends, ready to share your amazing creations and adventures with your family!
4:30 PM Late pick-up*
*Additional fees apply
Example piece in the making
Testimonials
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Kristen Kouhi on pottery camp
Kate ran an absolutely wonderful pottery summer camp that my daughter attended. She offered care, patience, and encouragement, and always made time to help everyone, which really speaks to the kind of teacher she is. The experience meant a lot to my daughter, who still treasures the pieces she made and remembers the camp as one of the highlights of her summer.
We are so grateful for the warmth and attentiveness Kate brought to the camp, and we won’t hesitate to sign up again. I can’t recommend her highly enough. -
Courtney Symons on professionalism
Kate is a dream to work with in any professional capacity. Her dedication to detail, non-stop creativity, and general zeal for life sets her leagues apart from her peers. She is reliable, hard-working, and so much fun. If you get the chance to be in her orbit, take it! You'll be glad you did.
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Erin Gagné on pottery lessons
My teenage daughter and I have taken several semi and private lessons with Kate at ZEAL. Kate is an excellent teacher and kind human. She took the time to explain the process, and answer questions. She has the patience of a goddess. I highly recommend ZEAL!
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Emma Jackson on community
I can’t think of anyone better suited to run a kid’s camp than Kate, who has somehow managed to retain that magical and enviable enthusiasm of youth. Time and again I’ve witnessed our kids gravitate to Kate’s unwavering optimism and energy. She clearly delights in meeting and working with people of all ages, lifting up her peers and giving back to the community. You’ll never regret working with Kate, and you may even come away with a bit more zeal yourself.
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Kendra Begley on working together
Working with Kate at the kids' Karate camp she ran was an absolute pleasure. Her organization skills ensured smooth operations daily, while her creativity brought fun and engaging activities to the campers. Kate's reliability and trustworthiness made her a standout leader, creating a positive and safe environment for everyone involved.
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of attending a pottery camp?
Pottery camps teach artistic skills and foster creativity, patience, and fine motor skills. They provide a hands-on learning experience that encourages self-expression and boosts confidence in children.
What will my child learn at this pottery camp?
Children will learn the basics of pottery, including hand-building techniques (coil, slab, pinch) and glazing techniques.
Do children need any prior experience with pottery?
No prior experience is usually required. Pottery camps are designed to cater to beginners and those with some experience who want to improve their skills.
Are pottery camps safe for children?
Pottery camps prioritize safety, and instructors teach children how to safely handle clay and pottery tools.
Why are there no daily sign-up options?
For a couple of reasons! The first is that there are many skills to build upon when learning hand-building techniques, and with attendance changing daily, there would be a lot of repeat information. The second is that I’d like a cohort of kids to get to know each other so that by the end of the week, they feel like it’s been worthwhile making new friends!
Do you charge taxes?
Yes.
What if my child has a food allergy?
Parents are being asked to pack nut-free lunches from Monday to Thursday. If your child has other allergies that may be a concern, please email kate@zealcreativestudios.com and we can work together on a solution so everyone stays safe! On Friday, ZEAL will be providing lunch with cheese and pepperoni pizza.
Can parents observe or participate in pottery camps?
Due to space limitations, parents cannot observe or participate in the camp.
ZEAL will display the children’s work from both cohorts during a special pottery showcase for parents and family members on a date to be determined Fall 2026. Afterwards, you can take your pieces home!
Do you offer refunds if my child cannot attend a week or day of camp?
No. There are no refunds available. The week of camp is paid for in full to secure your spot, purchase materials, hire staff, etc. If your child cannot attend a particular day (e.g., family emergency, illness, etc.), a ZEAL staff member will fill in and make them their pottery creations!
Can I transfer a week of camp to another child?
Yes. Up to 2 weeks before the start of the applicable camp week, you can transfer your spot to another child if something comes up and you cannot attend. Please note: ZEAL is not responsible for facilitating the transfer.
What are your facilities like?
Our property is on 2.2 acres just outside of Kemptville. There is a barn, which the children will not be able to go into. The pottery studio is in our out-building. This building has no running water or air conditioning; we use a hose and buckets for all pottery-related activities and have a fan running. The space isn't insulated yet, so bringing extra layers is key on cooler days. Due to the recurring heat waves though, snacks and lunch will be eaten at the harvest table inside of our air conditioned home with access to our washroom. There is a trampoline with a safety enclosure, which may be incorporated into outdoor activities, pending parent/guardian permission.
Where are you located?
10055 French Settlement Road, Kemptville, ON, K0G 1J0
Will parents/guardians need to sign a waiver?
Yes. More details about waivers and registration forms will follow once application acceptance emails go out (on or before February 27, 2026).
Contact form
Share this poster
It would be so kind if you could print one of these posters and put it up at your place of work or a community board that you frequently see around Kemptville or neighbouring towns.
With zeal,
Kate
About me
I'm Kate! An an entrepreneur and self-taught potter. I have a one-of-a-kind approach to making small-batch, functional pieces.
I love running this camp, particularly helping spark so much creativity in these kids. I hope it never fades!
For peace of mind, I'm also a mom, have my First Aid & CPR Level C/AED, a criminal background check, and an insured business.
With zeal,
Kate