Woodland Playhouse 2025 Summer Camp Details
Camp 1a. Fairy Camp: June 30 - July 3, 2025
Ages: 2 - 6
Dates: June 30 - July 3 (closed July 4th)
Location: 5571 State Route 28, Phoenicia (Big Yard/Woodland Village)
Times: 9a - 2p
Step into a magical world where imagination takes flight! During Fairy Camp, children will create whimsical crafts, build fairy houses in the woods, and explore enchanting storytelling. Through dress-up, outdoor adventures, and creative play, campers will discover the wonder of fairies while connecting with nature.
Program Designer:
Phoebe Wyllyamz is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of play and nature-based education. With nearly two decades of homeschooling experience, she has nurtured a love of curiosity and independence in children through child-led, unschooling approaches. As a certified playwork professional and program designer, Phoebe has created immersive outdoor learning environments such as the pandemic-era PlayPOD.
Her work spans leadership roles with organizations like Ithaca Children's Garden and the Just Play Project, and she is currently a playworker and educator at Woodland Playhouse. A devoted wife and proud mother, Phoebe credits her supportive and loving family as the foundation of her ability to inspire and connect with others.
Driven by a belief that freely chosen play fosters creativity, compassion, and resilience, Phoebe is dedicated to empowering young minds and cultivating lifelong connections to nature for a brighter future.
Session 1b. Woodland Forest Camp: June 30 - July 3, 2025
Ages: 4 - 8
Dates: June 30 - July 3 (closed July 4th)
Location: 5571 State Route 28, Phoenicia (Little Yard)
Times: 9a - 3p
Year round at Woodland Playhouse, we work hard to appreciate nature and its beauty. Summer is especially beautiful, wonderful, and magical here in the Catskills! We will continue this appreciation and exploration in this camp! Our main goal is to learn about and connect with nature and take in every inch of sunlight we can get! Each day we will set out on a mission to better our earth by observing water bugs, moving our bodies with some earth yoga, and making some forest art using pieces we forage from our forest hikes. See you in the forest!
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Program Designer:
This is Laura Craig’s third summer at Woodland Playhouse. She’s been a local all her life and an active participant in the local fire department and filling in for many volunteer roles throughout the year. While she is currently enrolled in her sophomore year of university for early childhood education, she has already deeply solidified the roots of her understanding of child development and the importance of play-based, hands-on learning. This is Laura’s first summer being the designer behind camps and they are set to be amazing adventures in all things outdoors, summer, and child-led.
Session 1c . Bikes & Hikes Camp: June 30 - July 3, 2025
Ages: 5 - 10
Dates: June 30 - July 3 (closed July 4th)
Location: Off-Site, Traveling Camp
Times: 9a - 3p
This camp takes our older campers on adventures! Each day, campers will be dropped off at a different location either prepared to hike or bike for the day. Campers should be able to hike for several miles (over the course of several hours) and be prepared with comfortable shoes and socks, lots of water, and lots of snacks for the day. Rewards include feelings of exhilaration, fantastic views of our beautiful Catskill Mountains, and new knowledge and appreciation of our locality.
Note: Bikes must be provided by the campers - unfortunately, we don’t have many to spare!
Program Designers:
Christina Davis is a full time mother, partner, teacher and director of Woodland Playhouse. A certified NYS teacher, her heart is in participating in the experiences of children of all ages experimenting, taking risks, and learning. In 2018, she earned her Masters of Science in STEM. Christina has a tendency to dive headlong into whatever new challenge comes her way, including designing and leading new camps, after school programming, and spreading the love and excitement for outdoor learning to other educators! This is Christina's 9th year directing and leading Woodland Playhouse summer camps.
2a. Dinosaur Camp: July 7-11, 2025
Ages: 2 - 6
Dates: July 7 - 11, 2025
Location: 5571 State Route 28, Phoenicia (Big Yard/Woodland Village)
Times: 9a - 2p
Roar into the world of dinosaurs! Children will explore the prehistoric age through hands-on activities, fossil digs, and dino-inspired games. Each day, campers will dive into different aspects of dinosaur life, fostering curiosity and fun. Children will experience dinosaurs in an immersive experience including movement songs, games, hands-on sensory activities, and so much more.
Program Designer:
Phoebe Wyllyamz is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of play and nature-based education. With nearly two decades of homeschooling experience, she has nurtured a love of curiosity and independence in children through child-led, unschooling approaches. As a certified playwork professional and program designer, Phoebe has created immersive outdoor learning environments such as the pandemic-era PlayPOD.
Her work spans leadership roles with organizations like Ithaca Children's Garden and the Just Play Project, and she is currently a playworker and educator at Woodland Playhouse. A devoted wife and proud mother, Phoebe credits her supportive and loving family as the foundation of her ability to inspire and connect with others.
Driven by a belief that freely chosen play fosters creativity, compassion, and resilience, Phoebe is dedicated to empowering young minds and cultivating lifelong connections to nature for a brighter future.
2b. Sports Camp: July 7-11, 2025
Ages: 5 - 10
Dates: July 7 - 11, 2025
Location: 5571 State Route 28, Phoenicia - Big Yard
Times: 9a - 3p
Does your camper love sports? This camp is full of competitive and wild sports. During the week we will be playing games that can range from soccer to capture the flag, culminating on Friday in a crazy relay day! This camp is a real home run. Please note, campers may be asked to bring additional sports materials from home (such as extra balls or mitts), so make sure you have yours handy!
Program Designers:
This is Laura Craig’s third summer at Woodland Playhouse. She’s been a local all her life and an active participant in the local fire department and filling in for many volunteer roles throughout the year. While she is currently enrolled in her sophomore year of university for early childhood education, she has already deeply solidified the roots of her understanding of child development and the importance of play-based, hands-on learning. This is Laura’s first summer being the designer behind camps and they are set to be amazing adventures in all things outdoors, summer, and child-led.
Lydia Johnson has been a counselor at Woodland Playhouse summer camps since 2020. Currently, her full time work is in athletic training at Bard. She continues to make a little bit of time for Woodland Playhouse camps each summer, however, and worked closely with Laura on the design of the debut of Sports Camp this year.
2c. Science & Agriculture Camp: July 7-11, 2025
Ages: 4 - 8
Dates: July 7 - 11, 2025
Location: Off Site, Traveling Camp
Times: 9a - 3p
This camp is designed to introduce some of our youngest campers to a traveling camp while fostering an interest in science and in agriculture and to introduce them to philosophy and the necessity of permaculture. Campers will explore summer crops, harvest from an existing garden, and meet different types of animals (pigs and chickens and ducks, oh my!) as well as enjoy periods of free play, water play, and down time. Campers must be potty trained.
Program Designer:
Christina Davis is a full time mother, partner, teacher and director of Woodland Playhouse. A certified NYS teacher, her heart is in participating in the experiences of children of all ages experimenting, taking risks, and learning. In 2018, she earned her Masters of Science in STEM. Christina has a tendency to dive headlong into whatever new challenge comes her way, including designing and leading new camps, after school programming, and spreading the love and excitement for outdoor learning to other educators! This is Christina's 9th year directing and leading Woodland Playhouse summer camps.
3a. Music Camp with special guest Uncle Rock: July 14-18, 2025
Ages: 2 - 6 years
Dates: July 14-18, 2025
Location: 5571 State Route 28
Times: 9a - 2p
Come and listen, move and play with us! Uncle Rock returns for another year. Campers will use their whole bodies to feel, create, and appreciate the life and sounds in music. We will spend our time together dancing, singing, and making music! Your campers will feel the joy and power that comes with the expression of music while also enjoying ample time to celebrate and experience all the wonders of summer. During the parts of the day that Uncle Rock isn’t present at Woodland Playhouse, campers will continue to feel the beat of different types of music, explore sounds of various instruments, and make their own drums with Alisha and her crew.
Program Special Guest:
Uncle Rock is a renowned Hudson Valley children's performer also known as writer-musician-teacher Robert Burke Warren. His "rock of all ages" family music is a mixture of Shel Silverstein meets Buddy Holly, the Ramones meets Pete Seeger. Uncle Rock songs have been satellite radio hits, placed in movies, and even performed by the Roots on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Performances are interactive, high-energy, and educational. Cross-generational, enlightened, toe-tappin' tunes for kids from 2 to 92!
Program leader:
Alisha Olive has been running Woodland Playhouse summer camps for several years as well as being a part of the preschool program throughout the year. In 2022-23, she became the lead teacher of the Polar Bear classroom. Alisha loves getting creative and integrating art and science and jumps at every opportunity to get messy, make predictions, and engage in process art. She has two children of her own; 5 year old Arya and 8 year old Ryker who enjoy camps just as much as she does.
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3b. Theater Camp: July 14-18, 2025
Ages: 4 - 8
Dates: July 14-18, 2025
Location: 5571 State Route 28 (Big Yard)
Times: 9a - 3p
Performance: Friday at 3pm
Actors will do everything needed to create a performance by the end of the week! They will participate in improvisation, stagecraft, script writing, songwriting, singing, character development, and so much more! At the end of the week, the actors will put on a performance of their own creation. Some children prefer more behind the scenes work (which we welcome), while others enjoy the spotlight and some like a little of both. Our theater camp offers countless opportunities for our campers and their specific interests. This original production will offer different options for different campers, with speaking-only parts, singing parts, musical parts, stagehand and/or visual art and set design positions, as well as any combination. We will practice theater exercises and games during the week that will help get ideas flowing to support camper’s to create a show that is made up of their words and original ideas.
Theater campers will also enjoy exploring the mountain, multiple outdoor activities, games, snacks and some free time to enjoy with their peers. Sweet Friday treats may also be shared! However, the focus of the program will be about theater..
Program Designer:
Christina Davis is a full time mother, partner, teacher and director of Woodland Playhouse. A certified NYS teacher, her heart is in participating in the experiences of children of all ages experimenting, taking risks, and learning. In 2018, she earned her Masters of Science in STEM. Christina has a tendency to dive headlong into whatever new challenge comes her way, including designing and leading new camps, after school programming, and spreading the love and excitement for outdoor learning to other educators! This is Christina's 9th year directing and leading Woodland Playhouse summer camps.​
3c. Outdoor Exploration: July 14-18, 2025
Ages: 5 - 10
Dates: July 14-18, 2025
Location: Traveling Camp (Off Site)
Times: 9a - 3p
We all know that spending time outdoors is important - we know that feeling of physical and mental well being we have all experienced after spending time outside. This Outdoor Exploration camp has been designed around that feeling - to give campers quality time outdoors to explore their surroundings, learn new things, and build new skills and we are thrilled to offer it again this year. This camp really utilizes our great Catskills setting! Campers will learn how important their role is on this earth and what they can do to help protect and preserve it. Campers will spend time identifying wild plants and trees and learning about their purpose within our ecosystem. We will also play team building games, wilderness survival games, and explore outdoor books during down time. This camp offers an opportunity to socialize while discovering new local areas and ways to feel connected to the earth and to each other.
Please dress for the outdoors! Campers will be outside hiking the woods every day. Proper footwear, high socks, and lots of water are essential - bug repellent and lots of snacks are strongly recommended. Join us for a week in the wild!
Program Designer:
Belinda Torres has worked at various camps over the years, adding to her experience working with children along with raising her two boys Brantley and Kody. This is her fifth season of camp at Woodland Playhouse and her third year leading these camps, which she enjoys each year in addition to the school year. Belinda appreciates engaging in a wide range of activities and expanding her knowledge in a variety of different things - she quickly became the Woodland Playhouse expert on mushrooms, snakes, and trees and is thrilled to spend a week each summer hiking and exploring The Catskills with campers.
4a. Wonderful Water Camp: July 21-25, 2025
Ages: 2 - 6
Dates: July 21 - 25, 2025
Location: 5571 State Route 28, Phoenicia (Big Yard/Woodland Village)
Times: 9a - 2p
Dive into the wonders of water! From splashing in puddles to exploring streams and ponds, children will discover the magic of water and its role in nature. Water-themed crafts, games, and science activities will encourage fun and learning. The possibilities are endless!
Program Designer:
Phoebe Wyllyamz is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of play and nature-based education. With nearly two decades of homeschooling experience, she has nurtured a love of curiosity and independence in children through child-led, unschooling approaches. As a certified playwork professional and program designer, Phoebe has created immersive outdoor learning environments such as the pandemic-era PlayPOD.
Her work spans leadership roles with organizations like Ithaca Children's Garden and the Just Play Project, and she is currently a playworker and educator at Woodland Playhouse. A devoted wife and proud mother, Phoebe credits her supportive and loving family as the foundation of her ability to inspire and connect with others.
Driven by a belief that freely chosen play fosters creativity, compassion, and resilience, Phoebe is dedicated to empowering young minds and cultivating lifelong connections to nature for a brighter future.
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4b. Art Camp: July 21-25, 2025
Ages: 4 - 8
Dates: July 21 - 25, 2025
Location: 5571 State Route 28, Phoenicia (Little Yard)
Times: 9a - 3p
Come and join our returning Woodland Playhouse staff as we play, create, and explore! Our theme for this year’s 4-8 art camp will be focused on combining our sense of self with nature and historic abstract or process-driven artists. Picasso self portraits, anyone?! While both of our art camps have similar bases in themes, the activities will be different week over week for repeat campers. Our youngest campers will enjoy their time at Woodland Playhouse exploring a variety of art materials and interacting with nature, themselves, their peers, and most influentially the Catskills world around them. Dress for a mess - and a lot of fun!
Program leaders & designers:
Belinda & Dianna are entering their third year of art camp collaboration and couldn’t be more thrilled to be teaming up again! Both Dianna and Belinda love the outdoors, love working with children, and love getting creative with hands-on process art activities -- so, of course, they’re leading an all outdoor art camp focusing on the creative process for children. What could be better?
4c. Quest Camp: July 21-25, 2025
Ages: 6 - 12
Dates: July 21 - 25, 2025
Location: Traveling (Off site, location TBA)
Times: 9a - 3p
Back by popular demand, Quest Camp returns for a fifth year! This story is connected to past years, but with some new twists and characters.
This camp is designed for lovers of adventure and those looking for a way to challenge their minds. It’s an introductory camp for LARPers or those interested in dappling without taking themselves too seriously. Campers will work both competitively and collaboratively to solve daily riddles and puzzles to Save Woodland Playhouse. Think Percy Jackson meets Children of the Forest! Each day, campers will escapade through forests, create their own adventures, and outsmart their foes armed only with their wits, their friends, and their creativity.
As with our other outdoor camps, children should come dressed for all day outdoor adventures. By the end of the week, parents and caregivers should expect to have exhausted and exhilarated adventurers returned to them.
Bonus points: Lydia returns for another year of questing!
Program Designer:
Christina Davis is a full time mother, partner, teacher and director of Woodland Playhouse. A certified NYS teacher, her heart is in participating in the experiences of children of all ages experimenting, taking risks, and learning. In 2018, she earned her Masters of Science in STEM. Christina has a tendency to dive headlong into whatever new challenge comes her way, including designing and leading new camps, after school programming, and spreading the love and excitement for outdoor learning to other educators! This is Christina's 9th year directing and leading Woodland Playhouse summer camps.
5a. Art Camp: July 28 - August 1, 2025
Ages: 2 - 6
Dates: July 28 - August 1, 2025
Location: 5571 State Route 28, Phoenicia (Little Yard)
Times: 9a - 2p
Come and join our returning Woodland Playhouse staff as we play, create, and explore! Our theme for this year’s 2-6 art camp will be focused on combining our sense of self with nature and historic abstract or process-driven artists. Jackson Pollock takes a nature walk! While both of our art camps have similar bases in themes, the activities will be different week over week for repeat campers. Our youngest campers will enjoy their time at Woodland Playhouse exploring a variety of art materials and interacting with nature, themselves, their peers, and most influentially the Catskills world around them. Dress for a mess - and a lot of fun!
Program leaders & designers:
Belinda & Dianna are entering their third year of art camp collaboration and couldn’t be more thrilled to be teaming up again! Both Dianna and Belinda love the outdoors, love working with children, and love getting creative with hands-on process art activities -- so, of course, they’re leading an all outdoor art camp focusing on the creative process for children. What could be better?
5b. Treasure Hunters Camp: July 28 - August 1, 2025
Ages: 4 - 8
Dates: July 28 - August 1, 2025
Location: 5571 State Route 28, Phoenicia (Big Yard/Woodland Village)
Times: 9a - 3p
Calling all treasure hunters! Do you want to make your own map leading to the treasure? In this fun-filled adventure, we work together to create our own characters and develop the story filled with booby traps and clues that lead us to a very shiny treasure. This early LARPing adventure camp is filled with riddles, treasure, and fun. Join to find where X marks the spot!
Program Designer:
This is Laura Craig’s third summer at Woodland Playhouse. She’s been a local all her life and an active participant in the local fire department and filling in for many volunteer roles throughout the year. While she is currently enrolled in her sophomore year of university for early childhood education, she has already deeply solidified the roots of her understanding of child development and the importance of play-based, hands-on learning. This is Laura’s first summer being the designer behind camps and they are set to be amazing adventures in all things outdoors, summer, and child-led.
5c. Survival Camp: July 28 - August 1, 2025
Ages: 5- 10
Dates: July 28 - August 1, 2025
Location: Traveling (off site) camp, multiple locations
Times: 9a - 3p
Have you ever wondered how to safely start a fire? Or how to use a compass and map to orient if you find yourself off trail? What if you and a friend are in the woods and one of you gets hurt - do you know basic first aid for you and your comrades? These are all things that campers will be learning, hands on, through safe practice and fun. Through a healthy balance of the freedom to explore the outdoors, risky play, and dose of practice in safety and knowledge campers will leave Survival Camp with essential Cat-Skills!
Program Designers:
Christina Davis is a full time mother, partner, teacher and director of Woodland Playhouse. A certified NYS teacher, her heart is in participating in the experiences of children of all ages experimenting, taking risks, and learning. In 2018, she earned her Masters of Science in STEM. Christina has a tendency to dive headlong into whatever new challenge comes her way, including designing and leading new camps, after school programming, and spreading the love and excitement for outdoor learning to other educators! This is Christina's 9th year directing and leading Woodland Playhouse summer camps.
6a. Science Exploration Camp: August 4-8, 2025
Ages: 2 - 6
Dates: August 4 - 8, 2025
Location: 5571 State Route 28, Phoenicia (Little Yard)
Times: 9a - 2p
Get ready to bring our science experiments outdoors in this fun, educational, and entertaining camp! We will be learning about the amazing Sun through various demonstrations, observations, and experiments - including questions like… “what melts in the sun?” “How can we make a solar light?” “Does our shadow change throughout the day?” “Can the power of the sun blow up a balloon?” All of these questions and more will be answered!
Program Designer:
Alisha Olive has been running Woodland Playhouse summer camps for several years as well as being a part of the preschool program throughout the year. In 2022, she became the lead teacher of the Polar Bear classroom. Alisha loves getting creative and integrating art and science and jumps at every opportunity to get messy, make predictions, and engage in process art. Alisha loves to learn and grow alongside her students, campers, and her own two children; 6 year old Arya and soon-to-be 9 year old Ryker.
6b. Camp of the Elements: August 4-8, 2025
Ages: 4 - 8
Dates: August 4 - 8, 2025
Location: 5571 State Route 28, Phoenicia (Big Yard/Woodland Village)
Times: 9a - 3p
Explore the forces of nature in this dynamic camp focused on earth, air, fire, and water. Campers will investigate each element through engaging experiments, art projects, and outdoor exploration. This camp is perfect for budding scientists and nature enthusiasts!
Program Designer:
Phoebe Wyllyamz is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of play and nature-based education. With nearly two decades of homeschooling experience, she has nurtured a love of curiosity and independence in children through child-led, unschooling approaches. As a certified playwork professional and program designer, Phoebe has created immersive outdoor learning environments such as the pandemic-era PlayPOD.
Her work spans leadership roles with organizations like Ithaca Children's Garden and the Just Play Project, and she is currently a playworker and educator at Woodland Playhouse. A devoted wife and proud mother, Phoebe credits her supportive and loving family as the foundation of her ability to inspire and connect with others.
Driven by a belief that freely chosen play fosters creativity, compassion, and resilience, Phoebe is dedicated to empowering young minds and cultivating lifelong connections to nature for a brighter future.
