For over 69 years Cranbrook has offered the community the opportunity to share in the Booth family's vision to develop and nurture the creative and performing arts. Founded upon the principle that all young people can benefit and enrich their lives from exposure to music, art and theater, the summer music and arts camps at Cranbrook have long been a treasured part of the Schools' programming and community outreach.



The Summer Theatre School, our oldest summer program, presents classic theater skills like character acting, lighting, dance, voice, costuming, set design and other stage crafts. The Theatre School operates from Cranbrook's beautiful Greek Theater grove, an outstanding full sized stone replica of a classic outdoor Greek theater setting nestled in a mature pine forest. Evening outdoor theater productions attract ample crowds from neighboring communities.



The unparalleled legacy of Arts and Crafts exploration on Cranbrook campus is celebrated and expanded in the Summer Art Studio Day Camp. Students learn classic art forms like drawing, composition, painting and sculpture, and also expand their horizons into leading edge media such as collage, computer design, and photographic techniques.



True to Cranbrook's earliest traditions celebrating the joys of scholarship, the Young Authors Day Camp was established to encourage exploration of language crafts in a truly fun environment.





Day Camps

For 78 seasons, Cranbrook Schools has offered recreational day camps for children. Campers explore Cranbrook's 319 acre campus of playing fields, woods, rivers, lakes, and gardens and enjoy traditional camp activities such as swimming (in the beautiful Williams Natatorium), sports, crafts, drama, arts and sciences. Each camp gears its program toward activities designed to develop age appropriate individual skills. Diversity is celebrated and personal talents are nurtured by exploring a wide variety of unique cultural, educational and enrichment activities.



Our camps are organized into nations and tribes, which provide campers with small counselor-to-camper ratios. Campers spend as much time outdoors as the weather will permit. On occasion, individual camps offer optional field trips to the Detroit Zoo, area water parks, Cranbrook Institute of Science, or similar activities.



Our youngest camps offer activities like arts and crafts or rhythmic movement, which encourage self-expression and creative diversity while developing coordination and muscle skills. Games instill sportsmanship; and activities nurture the full development of each child in health, happiness and skills.



As our campers increase in confidence, skills and age, activities like archery and canoeing provide opportunities for growth. Tennis, softball, lacrosse, volleyball, and soccer instruction emphasize cooperative team efforts while encouraging individual challenge. Theater and dance activities add variety to camp programs and all campers share frequent exploration of Cranbrook's historic campus.



Campers are encouraged to bring plenty of healthful foods for lunch to provide energy for an active day at camp. Juices and water will be provided at mealtime and at the athletic fields.



Brookside Tots Day Camp – New this year!

The fun never stops at Brookside Tots Day Camp!



Brookside Tots is for the preschool camper ready to spend a few hours away from Mom and Dad. Designed to run simultaneously but separately from our Brookside Day Camp, this active hands-on program will surely delight your three to four year old children.  Each week is filled with engaging age-appropriate crafts, nature activities, short walks on the historic Cranbrook grounds, story and puppet time, music and rhythm activities, playground time, games and sport skills.  Social interactions and cooperation are stressed, as campers practice following directions, sharing, and safe  play behaviors. A higher staff-to-camper ratio in this program assures that even first-time campers feel secure and cared for while exploring a safe and nurturing, fun filled environment.





Williams Natatorium

Welcome to Williams Natatorium. This breathtaking building, constructed in 1999 by acclaimed architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, hosts public programs, classes and special events year round. Located on the Cranbrook campus, this building is the perfect marriage of design and functionality: an architectural masterpiece that is also a hub of activity and fun in the water. Come for swimming lessons, a SCUBA class, a morning of aqua aerobics, take a lifeguarding class, learn how to become a better competitive swimmer, or join our Speedsters team. Purchase a Natatorium membership to use the facility during recreational and lap swims or pay a daily guest fee.



Rent the Natatorium for a birthday party, reunion, meeting, or other special event. We offer two flexible plans that include lifeguards, light custodial service, and use of some or all of the natatorium building. For prices and information on rental fees and food and beverage options, please refer to the flyer in the downloads section.





Speedsters

Speedsters is an opportunity for young athletes (age 7-13) to learn the value of the sport of swimming. This program gives swimmers the chance to refine mechanics through structured fun and quality coaching. Speedsters will learn to enhance their swimming skills through goal setting, team building, dry-land conditioning, clock reading, in water technique mechanics, and by increasing their swimming vocabulary. An intra-team competition will take place near the program's conclusion to focus on friendly competition and implementing the topics covered in practices.

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Swim Lessons

The Williams Natatorium has developed the finest swimming lesson program in the area. The program is designed with special attention given to individualized instruction, small class size and experience, and friendly instructors. Children are offered two categories of lessons: Set, Go! and S.T.E.P.S.





Aqua Aerobics

These aerobic classes take participants through a variety of water workout techniques including aquatic kickboxing, posture improvement, deep water, muscle toning and flexibility, core stability, and noodle work. Each class may be individualized to meet specific needs and goals. A variety of instructors are used to keep workouts fun and energetic. Water buoyancy equipment is provided.



Recreational and Lap Swimming

Recreational and Lap swimming are available for all members and guests. During Recreational Swim times, the pool is available for "play time" activities. Lanes are provided for lap swimming during most Recreational Swim times. Lap Swimming is a time when the pool is available exclusively for lap swimmers and other aquatic exercisers.



Technique Clinic

The Technique Clinic is designed to provide competitive swimmers the opportunity to perfect mechanics in all four strokes, starts, and turns. This is a teaching clinic, therefore it does not train endurance or large amounts of yardage. The clinic's goal is to instill in all swimmers the necessary skills that allow them to return to their team and train more productively.



At this time we have decided all Technique Clinic offerings for 2010 will not occur.  Please check back with us in early 2011 for future clinics!

Scuba

Gain the skills needed to earn a lifetime SCUBA certification. SCUBA classes are taught and organized by Rec Diving, Michigan's largest diving business.





Fore & Aft Programs

Campers, ages 3 - 13, who require adult supervision before and after day camp may enroll in Fore & Aft Care. Skilled and experienced child caregivers supervise group games, quiet time, and outdoor play at Brookside School.



Campers from all our camps may join our Fore & Aft Care program for thoughtfully supervised group child care in the hours before and following our day camps. Outdoor "recess" style playground activities are available daily, as well as space for quiet winding down after the vigorous challenges of a full day in camp. Age appropriate games and videos encourage campers to continue to develop friendships generated in the day camps.



Enrollment in Fore & Aft Care program is encouraged in order to permit planning for appropriate levels of supervision, however emergency and "drop-in" use is, of course, an option if necessary.