Playful Explorers (PK - K)
1 week sessions 9:00am - 3:00pm $615 - $715
In DEAN’s Playful Explorers Studio, our youngest campers (PreK–K) discover the world through joyful hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and creativity. Each day blends movement, music, art, and STEM activities that encourage children to learn by doing. From mixing experiments and building simple machines to expressing themselves through imaginative play, storytelling, and creative movement, campers explore at their own pace while forming new friendships. In this nurturing environment, children build confidence, practice empathy, and strengthen collaboration skills as they celebrate each other’s discoveries.
Skills & Techniques
Each week, campers engage in playful, hands-on exploration, learning key skills and mindsets. The specific skills taught vary by program, giving each camper the chance to explore different aspects of design and style:
- Foundation Skills: Sensory exploration, process art, creative movement, early STEM investigations, socialization, and imaginative creation using a variety of materials and methods
- Technical Abilities: Enriching literacy activities and games and movement that strengthen both fine and gross motor skills, cooking, crafting, using scissors, measuring,
As they explore and create, campers strengthen essential character skills:
- Collaboration: Sharing ideas, working together on group creations, and celebrating one another's progress
- Self-Regulation and Creativity: Practicing focus and patience, caring for materials with responsibility, and experimenting with new ideas, working through frustrations and challenges productively.
With a balance of independent exploration and guided support, the Playful Explorers programs set the stage for a lifetime of learning while having fun with friends.
General Daily Schedule
Morning introduction
Activity period—approximately 1 hour
Snack and stretch break—approximately 15 minutes, outside weather permitting
Activity period—approximately 1 hour
Lunch and Recess break—approximately 1 hour, outside weather permitting
Activity period—approximately 2 hours (included in this time can be a stretch break as needed)
Clean up, pack up, dismissal
Dates, Hours, and Fees
| 2026 Dates | Program / Grades | ||
| June 8 - 12 | Messy Makers (PK-K) | ||
| June 15 - 18 *4-day Week | Under the Sea (PK-K) | ||
| Hours | |||
| 9:00am – 3:00pm | |
| Fees | |
| $715 5-day week / $615 4-day week | |
Themes + Weekly Overview
Messy Makers
We've got our ponchos ready for your messy minds! In Messy Makers campers will delight in a variety of sensory-rich activities, from splatter painting to edible science experiments—because no mess is too grand in the pursuit of creation.
Our experienced and nurturing staff will guide playful explorers through messy yet educational adventures, fostering their fine motor skills, encouraging self-expression, and sparking a love for process-based learning.
Under the Sea
Get ready to make a splash! In this ocean-inspired camp, our youngest campers will dive into ocean-themed fun while learning real hands-on skills. They’ll paint shimmering sea creatures, trace and cut fabric to build their own fishtails, and try beginner hand-sewing and needle felting to add details to their designs. Campers will also explore dance routines inspired by the ocean’s rhythm and practice dramatic play that brings underwater stories to life.
Every day, hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills strengthen, while collaboration, creativity, and self-regulation help them turn their big underwater ideas into finished creations.
By the end of the week, each camper will have their own sea-inspired projects to show off—and the pride of knowing they made them from start to finish!