This is a brand new camp offering at the Shell Lake Arts Center!
AP Art & Design Boot Camp provides the opportunity to express yourself and develop your own artistic process while surrounded by other creative individuals. In this safe space, with positive and constructive mentorship from an AP Audit approved instructor, you can build your confidence and start the journey of developing your AP Portfolio. Art & Design offers the freedom to work in any media. Students will have access to some traditional 2-D and 3-D materials and may also bring along personal materials and digital devices.
July 30 @ 2:00 pm - August 4 @ 3:00 pm
For students completing grades 6-12; Adult Registration as commuter only and with instructor consent.
Final Show:
Friday, August 4, 2023 - 3:00pm in the Darrell Aderman Auditorium Lobby
AP stands for Advanced Placement and is a program of the College Board where students can earn college credit by completing coursework while still enrolled in high school. To receive a successful score of a 3,4, or 5 in AP Art and Design, students must complete a portfolio of significant artworks and write a compelling artist statement about their creations. While in Shell Lake, students will begin to develop their focus; or unifying element found in their works of art. They will be guided in both large group and individual instruction and have time to create, plan and integrate their thoughts into a coherent portfolio.
Whether or not a student completes the AP course at their local high school is up to them. The skills they will gain by participation in an AP Art Program will help them build a toolbox of skills in which to be successful as a Visual Arts major at any college or university in the United States. This course can help them begin this journey.
You will have time to create art everyday! This camp will also help you develop your written expression in developing your artist statements which accompany your portfolio.
Prior to arriving in Shell Lake, campers will receive a survey to complete which will help the instructor know how to prepare for instruction. Camper will also upload photos of works they have created. This is low pressure and intended to give our Master Teacher a chance to get to know your style, strengths, and areas for improvement.
What to bring to camp: Personal choice in materials is important and we want our students to feel comfortable with the supplies they are used to using. They may bring their own if they wish. Certain hazardous materials will not permitted and these will be communicated before you come to camp. For the writing portion of this camp, students will receive a journal to record their thoughts.
Daily Schedule
7:15 Wake Up
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Welcome, critique, journaling time, daily discussion
10:00 Studio work time
12:00 Lunch
1:00 visiting artists and artist visits
2:00 Studio work time (Friday-set up final show)
5:00 Dinner
7:00 Evening Concerts/Camp Activities
10:30 Lights Out
Dave Pawl has been educating art students for over 20 years at Watertown High School in Central Wisconsin. He has been a leader in his field through his writing of curriculum, teaching and writing AP Art & Design (formerly AP Studio Art) and AP Art History. He teaches his students with wisdom and humor. He wrote Wisconsin’s first Department of Instruction’s Crosswalk for AP Art History (credited in art and social studies). He leads through example. His openness and welcoming smile are always followed by relatable humor and humility. Mr. Pawl was awarded a Kohl Fellowship in 2007, was named…
Learn MoreQuestions? Feel free to contact us for any additional information.
Accommodations ~ Lodges are available for the duration of the camp session. They are supervised by a professional counseling staff on duty 24 hours each day and meals are prepared under the supervision of a state-approved dietitian.
Commuter students are expected to remain at camp until the day's activities are completed (Typically 9:am-8pm).
Registrations ~ Online registrations are accepted until the camp is full. Students may be placed on a waiting list if desired. A camp registration form is sent after payment is received. All cancellations must be made in writing and received 3 weeks in advance of the start of camp for a full refund. A $75.00 fee will be deducted from your refund. Refunds less than three weeks before camp will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
Residential Tuition~Our student tuition is $725 per student and includes instructional fees, room and board and a camp t shirt which will be worn at the final performance. Please refer to the registration materials found on our registration site at Ultracamp for complete details. A $100 down payment is due at the time of registration. The remaining balance can be paid at the time of registration or in equal monthly installments. All Tuition must be paid before arrival at camp.
Commuter Tuition~This option is for campers that want to attend our camps but not stay in our dorms, The $400 tuition covers instructional fees, a camp T-Shirt which will be worn at the final performance, meals, and evening activities. Commuters arrive for their first class by 9AM, and can be picked up any time after evening activities conclude (usually around 8pm).
Scholarships ~Each year, the Arts Center raises funds for the scholarship program. If you are interested in applying for an Arts Center scholarship, please visit our website
Check-in/Check-out~Check in begins at 2pm on Sunday of the week your camp begins. All medical, dietary, and consent forms must be completed in UltraCamp before arriving at camp. Additional information will be emailed to you approximately 4 weeks before camp begins.
Additional Information ~ To request disability accommodations, or other special requests, please contact the Arts Center at least two weeks in advance of camp. More information about camp and all of the opportunities available at the Shell Lake Arts Center can be found on our website.
Participants are admitted without regard to race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. The Shell Lake Arts Center is an inclusive organization, and we accept all artists and musicians.