I am a Co-Director of Beam Camp, http://www.beamcamp.com an overnight summer program for boys and girls aged 7-17 in Strafford, New Hampshire. At Beam kids learn to make their ideas happen through fine and manual arts, technology and collaboration. Every session campers collaborate on a spectacular Beam Project and engage with our full-time and visiting staff of professional architects, videographers, builders, engineers, designers, and makers of all kinds.
Every week, Beam Campers choose to explore a new Domain: in-depth, hands-on, discovery activities in the arts, performance, sciences, athletic or cultural fields (or mash-up of several fields). They explore disciplines, techniques or projects in small groups. Domains pursue learning, making and experimenting with personal goals and products in mind, rather than the Beam Project’s single gigantic one.
We currently have two positions that might be of interest to ITP students: Domain Guest and Domain Specialist for Electricity and Hacking. The first is a week long visiting position, the second is an 8-week resident staff position. I have attached descriptions of both to this email.
Thanks for your help in getting word out about these opportunities.
Brian Cohen
Co-Director
718-569-0332
BEAM camp – kids making things happen
55 Boy Scout Road, Strafford, NH
June 29 – August 21
BEAM CAMP SEEKS VISITING ARTISTS/MAKERS TO SHARE THEIR ‘DOMAINS’
Week-long Summer Teaching Residencies in New Hampshire
ABOUT BEAM CAMP Beam Camp offers two 4 week summer sessions for kids aged 7-17 in Strafford, New Hampshire. Every year Beam
commissions unique large-scale collaborative Projects from notable artists, architects and designers that serve as centerpieces of each Beam
session. Beam Campers cultivate hands-on skills while exploring innovative thinking, design and the creative process. They swim, hike, play
games and enjoy 750 acres of mountain, forests and lakes, while transforming ideas into artifacts and personal achievement into community
success.
ABOUT DOMAINS Every week, Beam Campers choose to explore a new Domain: in-depth, hands-on, discovery activities in the arts,
performance, sciences, athletic or cultural fields (or mash-up of several fields). They explore disciplines, techniques or projects in small
groups. Domains pursue learning, making and experimenting with personal goals and products in mind, rather than the Beam Project’s single
gigantic one.
A DOMAIN IS AN ACTIVITY THAT…
• produces something a Camper will take pride in having made (i.e., object, performance)
• introduces the Camper to something unfamiliar (i.e., global culture, historical era, unfamiliar technology)
• employs a material, tool, object, method or idea in an unfamiliar or new way
• solves a problem in a way that will help them to solve other problems
• makes something beautiful, funny or interesting out of a simple idea
Here are some ideas that have worked in the past:
• shooting short movies
• building a catapult
• launching hot air balloons
• building wilderness shelters
• studying kung fu and building Balinese gamelan
instruments
• fashioning costumes based on famous fairy tales
• building rowboats from branches and tarps
• performing in improv noise bands
• building solar cookers
• building a Green Roof
• making Taiko Drums
• launching a UFO
• building solar-powered robots
• knitting bags and clothing
• producing plays
• making a giant dinosaur pinata
• creating your own Nation
• building a wood-fired kiln
• learning to Salsa Dance
• weaving a soccer-field-sized tapestry
• telling 100 10-second stories
• playing in a samba band
• creating a personal beast
• studying cryptozoology
• making remote control planes from insulation foam
DOMAIN BASICS
• The Domains take place for 2 1/2 hours each afternoon, six days a week (not Sunday).
• Each camper takes one Domain per afternoon.
• There are two categories of Domain: Mega-Domains (6 times a week) and Regular Domains (three times a week).
• On Sunday afternoon we have our Domain Fair when each Domain Guide presents the Domain being offered for the coming week.
BEING A DOMAIN GUEST
• Domain Guests arrive at camp by Sunday at 1pm and leave camp the next Sunday morning.
• We pay Guest Domain Guides $300 and provide camp accommodations, food and fun.
• Materials budget for a Mega Domain: $500-$1000.
• Materials budget for a Regular Domain: $250-$500.
Interested in sharing your Domain with Beam Campers this summer? Let’s talk. Contact: Ayun Halliday, Domain
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Position: Wizard/Instructor – Electricity and Hacking
Company: Beam Camp
Location: Strafford, NH
Dates of Employment: 6/20/11 – 8/24/11
Salary: $2250 for the summer (plus housing and meals)
Camp Description
Beam Camp (http://www.beamcamp.com) is an overnight summer program for boys and girls aged 7-
17 in Strafford, New Hampshire offering two 4 week summer sessions. At Beam kids learn to make
their ideas happen through fine and manual arts, technology and collaboration. Every summer campers
collaborate on spectacular Beam Projects and engage with our full-time and visiting staff of professional
architects, videographers, builders, engineers, designers, and makers of all kinds. They learn the tools,
techniques and temperaments of creation to apply to their own plots, plans and schemes. They swim,
hike, play games and enjoy 750 acres of mountain, forests and lakes, while transforming ideas into
artifacts and personal achievement into community success.
Job Description
Beam Camp seeks an experienced maker/hacker/technologist to curate and deliver unique classes for
kids 7 – 17 in the electrical, hacking and technology arts and to be an active participant in Beam Camp’s
unique summer community of fun and learning.
Responsibilities
● Plan and deliver afternoon Domains (elective courses/workshops) in your specialty 2½ hours a
day, six days a week
● Recommend Domain Guests to be invited to camp for week-long teaching residences
● Manage and maintain camp’s technology assets and equipment
● Coordinate and create video and photo documentation of camp programming
● Act as a relief cabin counselor to cover for regular counselors’ days off and nights out
● Assist in Beam’s other program areas such as athletic and waterfront activities, evening
performances and presentations, and special events.
The job requires grace under pressure, good humor and an interest in providing children with valuable
experiences in creativity, craft and community.
Please email cover letter, resume and references to brian@beamcamp.com
Brian Cohen, Camp Director
718-569-0322