During Seattle Public Schools’ spring break, sixteen young artists and explorers dove into a week of creativity, curiosity, and connection at DNDA’s ArtPlus Spring Break EcoArts Fusion Camp.
The trails of Camp Long quickly became their second home as DNDA staff, volunteers, and teaching artists guided them through artmaking and outdoor exploration. Campers decorated canvas bags and created nature journals and zines, and DNDA’s Nature team taught them about amphibians and native forests.
Teaching Artist Guin introduced watercolor and linocut stamp-making, and led an adventure to Greg Davis Park, where the group learned about Longfellow Creek, ducks, and other local wildlife. It was a week that built both creative skills and a stronger understanding of the natural world. We’re excited for these campers to keep exploring and creating beyond the program, and to carry what they learned into their everyday lives.
Even when heavy rain and hail rolled in, the fun continued at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center with canvas painting and a cozy screening of The Lorax. A few adventurous campers joined Teaching Artist Jules for a “hail hike,” while others stayed indoors to learn about local flora and fauna. Despite the weather, spirits were high on Thursday when the group gathered around a campfire for s’mores and games. Their energy carried them into an exciting rock-climbing session with Camp Long staff. Every camper participated, and several reached the top of the most challenging routes!
Throughout the week, journals filled with sketches, notes, and reflections from hikes, plant sightings, and animal encounters. Campers expanded their knowledge of local species — trillium flowers, maples, salamander eggs, and more — and put it to use during Friday’s Camp Long scavenger hunt. With support from Seattle Parks staff, they searched for species, recorded their findings, and saw how much they had grown as naturalists.
The week concluded back at Youngstown with a sweet treat and a showcase of their nature journals. Bursting with watercolors, stickers, drawings,
paintings, haikus, and thoughtful reflections, the journals captured a spring break filled with creativity, exploration, community, and the magic of the natural world. As one camper wrote, “I really enjoyed walking in nature exploring the many things I’ve never seen before.”
