Youth Classes & Camps

Throughout the year, we offer weekend classes and weeklong camps for youth, ages 8-18. Give your child a creative experience pouring molten metal, forging a steel hook, or molding clay. Youth can get creative in 15 Crucible departments.

2024 Youth Summer Camps will open for early Member registration on Tuesday, March 5. Public registration will open on Tuesday, March 12.

Browse 2024 Youth Summer Camps by week, time, and age

2024 Crucible Youth Camp Schedule

What makes Crucible camps so fun? Hear from our students and faculty.

How Old Is Your Youth?

We offer a wide variety of age-appropriate youth classes for students ages 8-18. For the safety of your child and their fellow students, our age limits are strictly enforced. Younger than 8? You are welcome to visit for a field trip or an upcoming open house.

Ages 8-11

Youth ages 8-11 are welcome to come get creative including ceramics, electronics, and Mexican tin art, woodcarving, print making, and more.

Ages 12-18

At age 12, the majority of our fire arts departments become available—come learn to weld, blacksmith, pour molten metal, and more.

Ages 14-18

Once youth turn 14, they can start blowing glass in the Hot Shop, learning advanced TIG Welding skills, and using power tools in woodworking.

Crucible camps and classes

2024 Spring Break Weekend Classes:

Weekend, April 6-7
Weekend, April 13-14

2024 youth spring classes will open for Member registration on Tuesday, February 6. Public registration will open on Tuesday, February 13.

2024 Week-long Summer Camps:

Week 1: June 10-14, 2024
Week 2: June 17-18 and 20-21, 2024 (No class Wednesday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth)
Week 3: June 24-28, 2024
No camp July 1-5, 2024
Week 4: July 8-12, 2024
Week 5: July 15-19, 2024
Week 6: July 22-26. 2024

2024 Youth Summer Camps will open for early member registration on Tuesday, March 5. Public registration will open on Tuesday, March 12.

Youth Offerings in 15 Departments

Thousands of Bay Area youth, ages 8-17, have attended Crucible classes, camps, and workshops. From metal to wood to glass we provide a unique setting for youth to explore their creative voices, while absorbing real-life lessons in science, technology, engineering, and math.

More Ways Youth Can Get Creative

Youth Scholarships

Each year, The Crucible offers over $100,000 in full and partial scholarships to local youth, reserving 20% of spots in all our youth classes for scholarship students. Scholarship applications are considered based on economic need, artistic ability and/or promise, and applicants zip code—with priority given first to our neighbors in West Oakland, then Oakland residents, and then Greater Bay Area residents.

Youth Group Workshops

We have a wide variety of age-appropriate five-person minimum group workshops for youth, ages 8-18. In our private youth workshops, each student creates an individual project to take home and will have students energized and excited.

Individual Instruction

During one-on-one instruction, youth develop their artistic skill and technique at their own pace. Our most popular departments for youth private instruction are Blacksmithing and Glass Blowing, however we can tailor a curriculum for any of our departments. Individual instruction can be project focused or technique focused.

Give Your Child A Unique Creative Experience!