Opportunities for Summer Camp Groups
Bringing a Camp Group to the MFAH
Summer camp groups are welcome to explore the MFAH art collections and any non-ticketed exhibitions on their own. Register for a self-guided visit for your camp group today. All visits are free of charge with two weeks' advance registration. Please note that the MFAH requires one chaperone per 10 students.
Enhance Your Visit with Gallery Activities
The MFAH Kinder Foundation Education Center lends a variety of resources to assist you in guiding your group through the galleries. From sketching supplies to downloadable materials, these options enhance camp groups' experiences with art. Remember to book your self-guided visit before requesting these resources!
A Book and A Look: Reading Storybooks in the Galleries
Summer camp groups of 4–9 year-olds can check out a bag of storybooks to read together in front of a work of art in the galleries. Groups can also "read" the work of art together with the help of looking activities supplied with each book. E-mail resource@mfah.org to arrange storybook pick-up for your group at check-in.
Sketching in the Galleries on a Self-Guided Visit
Sketching from original works of art encourages visitors to look closely, while recording ideas and observations for further exploration in the classroom or studio. Sketching materials are available for summer camp groups of all ages to use during their visit. To arrange to pick up sketching paper, hardboards, and pencils for your group at check-in, e-mail resource@mfah.org before you visit.
With So Much to See, How Do You Choose?
Focus your students' museum experience with the following downloadable resources, which will guide you in selecting works of art to see on a self-guided visit.
The Artist's Toolbox
Designed for elementary school students, this resources explores a few of the many “tools” in the Artist’s Toolbox, such as scale, color, line, shape, figures, setting, and emphasis. The Artist’s Toolbox includes a pack of gallery activities, such as creating a composition, exploring a work of art using the five senses, and sketching, that encourage students to look closely and think creatively about what they see. Print the Artist’s Toolbox guide before your visit and share with the educators and chaperones who will lead your group. E-mail resource@mfah.org to reserve the packs which will be delivered to you at check-in on the day of your visit.
The Power of Objects
Designed for secondary school students, this resource engages students in thinking about the many ways in which objects are powerful. Print a copy for each educator and chaperone in your group to use in the galleries as they guide students.
What to See in an Hour
Any age group will enjoy seeing these highlighted works of art in the MFAH's collections. Be sure to pick up a museum map upon arrival.
Guide by Cell Audio Tour
Tired of telling students to put their cell phones away? Let cell phones inform students' learning experience with the Guide by Cell Audio Tour (every student will need a cell phone). Educators can also use this audio tour as a resource to plan a self-guided visit to see the MFAH collections of antiquities or European art.