Please make sure that you are selecting the correct program:
COMPASS Summer Camp
July 2024- Aug 2024.
Education
EDUCATION
About
Casita Maria's educational programs offer after-school and summer day camp programming for up to 400 young people from kindergarten through middle school. Programs are built on a Creative Youth Development framework that combines arts education with academic assistance and positive youth development principles to empower young people to reach their potential as artists, scholars, and leaders.
All programs are free, and operate after-school from 2:30 to 6 PM. We accept participants on a first come-first served basis, regardless of need, but you do need to complete an application which you can fill out in person at Casita Maria or online and available here. You'll also have to submit medical and immunization forms signed and stamped by a doctor, and a passport photo. Finally, a parent or caregiver will be required to attend a parent/caregiver orientation.
After-School Programs
Casita Maria after-school program operates each afternoon during the school year, as well as a full-day camp programming on selected holidays and days off. Under our Creative Youth Development framework, the program promotes academic excellence, artistic mastery, civic engagement, and social development through project-based learning. Here are some of the highlights:
- Academic enrichment includes homework assistance as well as a focus on literacy and STEM skills.
- Art programs include music lessons on piano, choir, musical theater, bomba y plena, and visual arts, led by Casita Maria's experienced Teaching Artists. We also partner on specialized arts education with world-class organizations including Public Theater/ Public Works, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Young Concert Artists and the Whitney Museum.
- Participants also meet and learn from professionals exhibiting in Casita Maria's Gallery and creating murals, have opportunities to exhibit their own work in the Young Artists Gallery, or even perform at the South Bronx Culture Festival!
- Daily snacks are provided.
Applications for Casita Maria After-School Programs from grades K-8 are available.
Email Nairobi Cordero at ncordero@casitamaria.org for assistance filling out the application, or to fill out in person.
For more information, or to fill out an application form online
https://discoverdycd.dycdconnect.nyc/home
Instead of using Casita Maria's name on the Program Search
for Elementary use this PIN CEL-45774 / and for Middle school use this PIN CSO-79634 and it will open our programs.
Steps to fill out the application can be found below.
Elementary
This program for elementary-aged children (grades K-5) introduces them to a variety of art forms, leads them in physical activities, and integrates literacy work and STEM learning, providing the building blocks for life-long creativity and social-emotional health.
Because we know that it's difficult for many parents and caregivers to take time out of their day to bring their children from school to an
after-school program, our staff can escort 50 to 60 participants from two partner schools, The Longwood Academy Public School and P.S. 150, Charles J. Fox School.
For more information, please email
elementary@casitamaria.org.
Middle School
This program for middle school-aged participants (Grades 6-8) builds on young artists' natural talents and greatness to empower them with creative enrichment activities and meaningful project-based activities that nurture well-being and positive youth culture.
In addition to the program at Casita Maria's Bronx location, we also run a satellite program at Harlem Village Academy in East Harlem.
For more information, please email
middleschool@casitamaria.org.
Summer Day Camp
Casita Maria runs full-day summer camps for elementary-level (7 weeks), and middle school participants (6 weeks). Camp activities focus on a specific theme each summer, such as Bronx Culture, and culminate with a performance or exhibition incorporating research into the theme as well as new skills campers have learned. Campers also have plenty of time for recreation and trips to New York City landmarks such as the Bronx Zoo and museums.
Applications for summer day camp will be available around the second week of April each year. Summer Camp begins July 2nd for both elementary and middle school. Elementary ends on August 16th (7 weeks) and Middle School ends on August 9th ( 6 weeks)
Elementary: Summer Day Camp
Middle School: Summer Rising
If you are interested enrolling your child for our Middle School Summer Rising program please contact:
- M.S Associate Program Coordinator - Jessica Torres
Jtorres@casitamaria.org - Ext: 6217 - Community Outreach and Family Engagement Coordinator- Nairobi Cordero
Ncordero@casitamaria.org- Ext: 6202
Resources
We celebrate Las Tres Hermanas, three sisters who moved from Puerto Rico to New York and positively impacted the lives of children, families and artists in the Bronx. Learn more about Evelina López Antonetty, Lillian López and Elba Cabrera; three pioneers of the Puerto Rican community by downloading a coloring book Casita Maria created with Somos Arte and Nancy Mercado.
Evelina López Antonetty, the oldest sister, was an activist and champion for social causes. She was the founder of United Bronx Parents Inc.; a social service agency established in 1965 to serve Puerto Rican and Latino parents in navigating the educational system for their children.
Lillian López, the middle sister, was among the first Puerto Rican librarians in the New York Public Library system and was the first Puerto Rican Administrator. She was successful in introducing Spanish language books to the system and in developing innovative programs that served the Puerto Rican and Latino communities.
Elba Cabrera, the youngest of the three sisters, established herself as an ambassador and advocate for the arts. As such, she became the Assistant Director for the
Association of Hispanic Arts (AHA) where she promoted activities for over one hundred arts organizations throughout New York City.
