WildCraft Camp: Plant Dyeing Magic
For children ages 7–11   -  With Etta Mae & Aubrey

Join us beneath the summer sky, where each day is filled with earthy magic, creative hands, and the joy of discovery.  Our WildCraft Camp invites children to step into a world of earthy wonder — a place where plants, trees, flowers, fruits, and roots become the palette for creating treasures both beautiful and useful.

This year’s gathering centers around the ancient and enchanting art of plant dyeing. For children who joined us last summer to explore the natural mineral pigments of the rocks and soil, this season offers a beautiful continuation of their journey — as we now discover the living, breathing colors held within plants.  We’ll share our deep love for this soulful craft, guiding children through a hands-on journey that awakens the senses and nourishes the spirit. The sights, scents, and textures of plants simmering in a dye bath stir something timeless within the maker — a memory of old ways and a celebration of natural beauty.

Each day will follow a nourishing rhythm — gathering together for focused, hands-on projects that awaken both heart and hand. These creative moments will gently give way to open time on the farm, where children can run freely and nurture the tender roots of new friendships.

Children will have their own collection of felt, yarn, fabrics, and silks to dye, seeking out colors that call to them — whether tender pastels, earthy hues, or bold, vibrant shades. With these plant-dyed fibers of wool, cotton, and silk, they’ll craft keepsakes through tasks such as sewing, embroidery, knitting or weaving,  carrying a piece of the summer’s magic home with them.

And behold, within the art of plant dyeing lives a quiet, living science — one that stirs curiosity and invites young minds to wonder at the hidden mysteries of the natural world. Each leaf, flower, root, and lichen holds secrets waiting to be revealed, and through careful observation and hands-on discovery, children become both artists and nature’s apprentices.

As colors shift and deepen in the dye pot, questions naturally bloom: Why does the green pigment of chlorophyll turn brown when it meets the open air? What makes certain colors fade, while others endure? Could a brilliant orange be quietly tucked away inside the pale lichens clinging to the tree bark?

Children will come to see that the fibers themselves — hold their own stories, each soaking up dyes in their own unique way. Through this, we explore the difference between protein and cellulose fibers, and how their nature shapes the hues they embrace.

In every bubbling pot and sunlit jar, science and art entwine. The process becomes a living classroom, where pigments rise, colors shift, and nature’s wisdom quietly reveals itself.

At camp’s end, each child will return home with a basket of their plant-dyed fibers and the memory of summer days spent weaving friendship, color, and craft into the fabric of their being.

Come join us — where hands are busy, hearts are light, and the land sings stories in every leaf and petal.

Camp adventures will include (as time and group flow allow):

• Foraging the land to gather and prepare local plants for the dye pot

• Learning about historical dye recipes and traditions from around the world

•  Hands-on dye pot work: chopping, measuring, stirring, and cooking plant pigments

• Solar dyeing — an alchemical process of extracting colors with the warmth and patience of the sun

• Creating personal Dye Journals to record recipes, plants, and color discoveries

• Exploring the art of Eco-Printing, imprinting leaves and flowers onto fabric

• Playing with botanical inks for painting and expressive mark-making

Camp Dates:  This is a 3 week Camp, held on Mondays and Wednesday, for 6 full days.

• Mon/Wed June 23rd/25th

• Mon/Wed June 30th/July 2nd

• Mon/Wed July 7th/9th

Camp times: 9:00am to 3:15pm (6hrs/15min)

Camp Tuition: $488 (tax, supplies and fees included in the price).  A Tuition Deposit of $244 (applied towards camp tuition) is due at the time of enrollment to hold your child's spot.  The remaining tuition balance of $244 is due on the first day of Camp.

Payment Methods:
Cash, check, Credit Card and EFT

Refund Policy:
Full details about refunds, absences and withdrawals can be found here.

Sibling Discount:
We welcome families with multiple children, click here to learn more.

Financial Aid:

Financial aid available on a need basis. Click here to learn more and apply.

How to Enroll: 

1. Send an email to Etta Mae at yellowsolarseed@gmail.com or text (808) 333-0325 to check class availability.

2. If space is available, we will invite your child to enroll in the Camp and send you a payment link for the tuition deposit ($244).  Once your tuition deposit has been received, then your child’s spot in our Camp is confirmed.

3. One week prior to the start date of the Camp, you will receive a Welcome Letter explaining all the important details you need to know about our Camp, such as what to bring, carpooling options, directions etc.  

4. The remaining tuition balance of $244 is due on the first day of Camp.  

If you have any questions during the enrollment process, feel free to reach out to Etta Mae by phone at (808) 333-0325