Introducing HV Arts and HV Performance
Teen programs are a large part of HVC programming and community! Every summer, multiple teen programs take place per session. We are happy to announce the full list of teen programs on offer for summer 2026: Adventures, Apprentices, AWACs, HV Arts, and HV Performance.
With the new year right around the corner, it feels like a good time to share the details of HVC’s new teen programs: HV Arts and HV Performance.
You may have heard through the HVC grapevine of the retired teen program called Alive. This retired teen program was a mix of artistic practices. The specificity of these two new programs will allow campers to take a deeper dive into the artistic practices they are most interested in.
HV Arts and HV Performance will each last one session and are open to campers ages 14-16.
Making + Living
Each program will live in a cabin together throughout the session. While being able to live together (with counselors) will help foster help create a tight-knit, creative community, the campers in these teen programs will still live on main camp and interact with the rest of camp everyday.
Four Major Areas
Each program consists of Four Major Areas. Campers will focus on each major area for about a week. Though many campers will be familiar with these areas from their previous time at camp, the programming will be more advanced and personalized.
HV Arts HV Performance
Glassworks 1. Theater
Photography/Video 2. Dance
Ceramics 3. Music
Screen Printing 4. Singing/Songwriting
Counselors
The counselors who will teach in and lead these programs study and work in the arts all year round. Counselors are excited share their knowledge and creativity with campers.
Excursions
Once a week, each of the programs will have an excursion off camp. These excursions could include trips to art galleries, concerts, shadowing local artists, and more. Excursions are a great opportunity for campers to learn what it’s like to be a working artist and to engage with the local Maine community.
This aspect of the programs is similar to other teens programs such as AWACs and Apprentices who also take trips off camp.
A Final Project
After spending weeks learning in each of these areas, every camper will put together a final project. This project can include any and all of the Four Major Areas of study. At the end of the session, both programs will have their own presentation time to share their final projects with the rest of camp. Projects can be done individually or in groups. Being able to build a piece from the ground up is a unique and exciting part of these programs. Though the final project might be one of the more challenging parts of the program, the opportunity to have full control over what you create is not often offered to young artists.
Possibility
Who knows what you might learn by the end of the four weeks? Maybe you will pick a new art form. Maybe you will learn how to collaborate as an artist. Maybe you will create something you are proud of.