{7/6-10} Crankie Boxes & Storytelling Camp

Ages 6+ | July 6-10 | 9am-12pm
Taught by Kaelee Jensen

Crankie boxes are part folk art, part paper theater—and in this week-long summer camp, students will dive deeply into their magic.

A crankie box is a hand-cranked storytelling device: as the handle turns, an illustrated paper scroll moves across a window, revealing a story panel by panel. Over the course of the week, students will design and build their own crankie box, develop a detailed visual story, and explore techniques using illustration, silhouette, shadow, and light.

The week culminates in a final day performance for families, where students will share their completed crankie stories in a simple, celebratory showcase.

This camp balances careful making, imaginative storytelling, and creative play, with plenty of time to develop ideas and refine details.

What We’ll Explore

• What crankie boxes are and where they come from
• Planning and pacing a visual story for movement
• Storyboarding and scroll design
• Illustration, silhouette, shadow, and color techniques
• Building a crankie box: structure, window, and crank mechanism
• Practice and preparation for performance

What We’ll Make

Each student will complete:

• A hand-built crankie box
• A fully illustrated storytelling scroll
• A short crankie performance to share with family

All projects go home at the end of the week.

Camp Details

• Format:  Full-week summer camp.  Drop-in registration is not available for this camp.
• Time: 9am - 12pm
• Ages: 6+
• Instructor: Kaelee Jensen
• Because the work builds steadily across the week, this camp is designed as a full-week experience and is not available as a drop-in

Daily Camp Rhythm

Each day includes focused making time, a short outdoor walk, and a midway snack break. This rhythm helps students reset, move their bodies, and return to their projects with fresh focus.

Performance Day

On the final day of camp, families are invited to attend a short performance where students will present their crankie stories. Details and timing will be shared closer to the start of camp.

Pricing

• Supply Fee: $20

The supply fee includes all materials needed to build a crankie box and create an illustrated storytelling scroll. Students will take their completed crankie box and story home at the end of the week.

Good to Know

• No drawing or theater experience is required
• This is a creative, exploratory camp with plenty of room for imagination