Camp Common Thread with Ms. Emilia Kister immerses children in music, art and nature. We focus on learning how to listen to music, studying artists & genres, visiting museums, experiencing live music, journaling, playing games, taking hikes, doing art and connecting over our common love for music, art and nature. The goal is to slow down, experience deep listening and quiet observation and lean into our artistic creativity. Summer is a great time to journal, listen to music, create art, play outside, take time to be together and explore the Arts. Hope you can join us!
Camp Common Thread: Summer 2026
Where: Hutchinson Hall. School of Drama, University of Washington
Who: Elementary School - Age Children (Students currently in grades K-5)
*Students in Middle School are welcome to apply for the Counselor-in-Training Program. Students in High School are welcome to apply to work for volunteer hours. Please email me if you are interested in having your MS or HS student be a part of summer 2026.
What to expect: lots of art-making, listening to music and outside time *Please note that we work with acrylic paints, clay and other art materials that may get clothes dirty. Please do not wear your favorite outfits to camp. (:
What to bring: snack, lunch, water, sunscreen and good walking shoes
When: Monday - Friday from 9am-3pm
Session 1: Dates will be announced soon!
Session 2: Dates will be announced soon!
Session 3: Dates will be announced soon!
Session 4: Dates will be announced soon!
Cost: $400 per week There is a10% discount for siblings Scholarships available, please email me at emiliakister@gmail.com
Facebook “Reels”
Want to see more photos from Summer 2025?
Check out the "Highlights" labeled CCT1-5 on my Instagram and under "Saved Reels" on Facebook. For Instagram”HIGHLIGHTS”: If you use Instagram, please look up @emilia.kister_music.outreach and take a look at the "Highlights" from Session 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 from summer 2025. For Facebook ”REELS”: If you use Facebook, go to Emilia Kister: Music & Outreach and click on "Reels". Then on "Saved Reels" to see photos from the Camp 2025 sessions.
Summer Camps 2023 & 2024
Summer Camp: Kamp Kister focuses on music, art and nature. We listen to music (recorded and live), journal, hike, play, work on a daily doodle and connect over our common love for music, art and nature. The goal is to slow down, enjoy each other, the outdoors and music. Each camp will have a live-music component that we will prepare for and experience together. The concerts and dates of the weekly live-music experiences will be announced closer to the camp dates.
I am passionate about teaching children how to listen to live music/experience art. One of the biggest pieces of that puzzle is DOING IT, oh and PREPARING for it. I’m on a mission to build audiences of the future! Our days are never the same, but I can confidently say that we will listen to music, do art, have physical activities, and beach time each day.
Day Camps 2023 & 2024
Day Camp: Goldberg Variations and Lego Architecture. We started our day with a morning doodle to the Goldberg Variations by J.S. Bach. We discussed the concept of theme and variations and examined the variations in the doodles that we created. Then, we began exploration with lego printing on big white paper and read a book called Curve & Flow about the architect Paul R. Williams. After lunch and play time in the park, we created lego print postcards, and colored them in with oil pastels.
Day Camp: Themes of Blue: We studied the artist Miles Davis and listened to his album “Kind of Blue”. Then, we created paper collages, inspired by the album and the color blue.
Day Camp: Nocturnes & Lanterns: We studies the composer Frederic Chopin and learned about his piano pieces called Nocturnes. Then, we created papier-mâché lanterns!
Day Camp: The Nordic Museum and Trolls. We started our day at The National Nordic Museum, where we studied music (Peer Gynt by Edvard Grieg) and began working on our own trolls, inspired by the troll installation, Frankie Feetsplinters. For lunch, we walked to The Ballard Locks to explore and play before returning to finish our troll creations. The student trolls were on exhibit at the Ballard Library after this camp.
Day Camp: Seattle Asian Art Museum and Foil Statues. We started our day at Kerry Hall where we studied music associated with the Asian art. Then, we walked over to The Seattle Asian Art Museum for a self-guided tour, and played in Volunteer Park. When we returned to Kerry Hall, we created foil sculptures inspired by the piece Some/One by Do Ho Suh.
“Ms. Kister wasn’t really a teacher, she was like a magical fun maker.”
“Thank you for such a wonderful week. [Camper] showed me her whole journal page by page. ”
Paper Cut and Watercolor. Emilia Kister. May 2023
“Ms. Kister did so much work to plan for everything. I loved how we always had something fun to do!”
“I just love the end of the day recap so very much. ... the ability to have a pointed conversation about the day at camp is truly awesome. Needless to say, we’re huge Kamp Kister fans!”
“The kids rave about Kamp Kister. Thank you so much!”
“Thank you so much for having me! I adore seeing you all and I was happy to sing!”