Camp Huston, Gold Bar, WA
May 12th – May 16th, 2022
The Northwest Polymer Clay Guild holds Clay Camp every year in May at Camp Huston, right next to the beautiful Wallace Falls State Park in Gold Bar, Washington.
Clay Camp registrants enjoy the 24-hour workroom, comfortable bedrooms in cabins, delicious meals prepared by Camp Huston’s staff, beautiful trails to stretch your legs, and the opportunity to sign up for a variety of inspiring classes taught by experienced polymer clay instructors.
Clay Camp Classes 2022
Everything You Need to Know About Clay Camp
by Kim Day
Our favorite time of the year! Nah, I don’t care about the weather, I mean Clay Camp! To prepare for the big event, here’s a little guide about what to expect.
REGISTRATION & ACTIVITIES
Registration: Your registration automatically reserves your spot at camp and if you want to attend classes too, you can register for those at the same time. Please note that classes cost additional fees.
Length: You can choose how long you want to attend – the whole 5 days, just the weekend, or one day.
Claying: The best part of Clay Camp is the 24-hour workroom. Several large ovens are available so you can cure your finished creations. When you are inspired to create, looking for inspiration, or just want to socialize, this is the room to hang out in- it is always full of clayers to talk with and learn from.
Bottles of Hope Challenge: We decorate small medicine glass bottles (provided) and donate them to cancer patients at a local treatment center. These are always amazing! We all vote on our favorites in each category in the challenge and the winners get an extra special handmade ribbon… mmm… glittery. The voting and awards happen on Saturday, our busiest day. You may donate as many additional covered bottles as you wish, but for voting purposes, only one is entered into the challenge.
2023 Swap Theme: Cats, Dogs
If you want to get a jump on your ideas for next year’s swap, the theme is Cats and/or Dogs. We will be making our swaps in sets of 5. You can join as many sets as you would like. If you want to make two sets, then you would make 10 items, for example. Not all of the items in a set must be the same, HOWEVER, no two sets can be the same. So if you want to make two sets, here are several of the combinations you can do: A) 5 of one type, 5 of a different type.
B) 10 all different C) 5 of one type, 5 all different. What is not allowed: A) 10 all of the same type B) more than 5 of the same type. Here is a swap infographic to show how the swapping works. For each swap group of 5 you join, you will receive 5 different ones back. You will not receive one of your own back. The swap happens at clay camp, and the deadline is usually before dinner on Saturday. If you cannot make it and want to participate in the swap, communicate with Kim Day (polymerclay@gmail.com) and get them to her before Clay Camp.
‘Non-raffle’ Raffle: You may donate any item to this NWPCG fundraiser. Donated items will be displayed with a cup in front of each. Tickets are sold for $1 and you place your ticket(s) in the cup corresponding to the item you want to win. All proceeds go to the Guild Scholarship Fund. Members who have been with the NWPCG for a minimum of one year may apply for Clay Camp scholarship to help offset the cost by half. This helps members, who will normally not attend because of financial concerns, make it to Clay Camp.
We typically see donations in the form of lovely handmade clay creations, crocheted or knitted items, clay books, clay supplies and other craft supplies. It is also a fun show to watch! This happens on… you guessed it, Saturday!
Brown Bag Gift Exchange: This is not a ‘white elephant’ gift exchange; bring something that you would want to receive, with a value of about $30. (Some popular ideas are clay-related items and chocolate!)
Each participant brings a gift in an unmarked brown paper bag and adds it to the gift pile on Saturday evening after dinner. Everyone randomly draws a number. They select gifts in that order — with a twist… The person assigned with #1 picks out a gift and opens it so all can see what it is. Then the person assigned with #2 gets the choice of ‘stealing” #1’s unwrapped gift or choosing a wrapped one from the pile. If #2 steals #1’s gift, then #1 must choose and open another wrapped gift.
NOTE: Gifts can only be stolen once!
As subsequent players take their turns, they either select a new gift or take an already opened gift from any of the other players that has not been stolen before. Any player who has a gift ‘stolen’ either choose a new gift or take an already-opened gift from another player. Continue until everyone has had a turn for a gift. After the last turn, the person who started (since she/he didn’t get a chance at the beginning) can put back the gift and “steal” a gift according to the rules.
Food: The food is absolutely wonderful! The cooks are very accommodating with special dietary needs like gluten-free or vegan, just let them know about any special requirements when you register for camp. There is also a wonderful salad bar to accompany each lunch and dinner. Plus, no cooking preparation or dishes to wash, glorious!
Snack Table: We usually have one table in the work area overflowing with snacks people brought to share. Anything that doesn’t require refrigeration is welcome. I bring toffee each year, I think I’m required to now!
Rooms: The rooms are small and dorm-like with a table, chair, two beds, towel rack by the door and a place to hang your clothes. Bring your own towels, pillow, blankets or sleeping bag. Rooms are shared but there are separate cabins for Late Nighters and Early Risers to help each person get the sleep they need to fuel creativity.
Alcohol and other Drug Use: Camp Huston does not allow cannabis/non-prescription drugs at camp. Alcohol is permitted in the cabins only. Please respect the camp’s rules.
Scholarships: If you’ve been a member of the Guild for six months and finances are tight, please consider applying for scholarship that will cover 50% of costs (classes not included). We want to see you at Camp!
Download our Scholarship Form Here
LOGISTICS & OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Free Table: There is one table where you can leave things that you no longer need or want but may be useful to others that you want to give away for free. Think of old beads you’ve never used, a new supply you have extra of – there are no limits here but please remember to take home any of your unclaimed items.
Local Craft Store: There is a Ben Franklin about a 20-minute drive from our Clay Camp venue. With all the ideas flowing around, people usually think of something they can’t live without for a few days. It is always fun to join one of the spontaneous group trips to this fun craft store and browse their sale rack.
Hiking Trails: Need to stretch your legs? Walk one of Camp Huston’s trails or go next door to hike up to Wallace Falls if you’re ambitious.
CHECKLIST FOR CAMP
The table surfaces in the workroom will be covered with paper and extension cords will be at each table when you arrive any time AFTER 4:00pm on Thursday.
Bring:
Polymer clay
A work surface (some laminated paper will be available to use)
Pasta machine
Your other favorite tools, cutters, inks, etc.
Task lamp for you work space
Timer for your clay in the oven
Your most creative self!
Optional:
Items to donate to the Raffle
Items for the Free Table
Food items for the Snack Table
Things you’ve made that you would like to sell or trade
Your Brown Bag of goodies for the Gift Exchange
Cash for Raffle tickets, purchasing other clayers’ wares, and masseuse
IMPORTANT! Remember there are no linens available at camp, but there is wi-fi in the cabins.
Bring:
Your bedding (most clayers bring sleeping bags)
Pillow
Towel
Clean clothes
Toiletries- shampoo, soap, toothbrush, medicines, etc.
Chargers for your phone, tablet, etc.
Optional:
Ear plugs (the walls are thin)
Alarm clock
Slippers
Extra sleeping bag or pad for that seriously firm bed.
Pricing for Clay Camp 2022
Note: Eventbrite, our event & ticketing service, charges service and processing fees.
All the Days Camper (Thursday to Monday)
$420.00+$27.20 Eventbrite Fee
Choose this option if you are planning to attend Clay Camp from open to close, 4:00pm on Thursday afternoon until 2:00pm on Monday. This includes all overnights, all meals, and your workroom table. Classes are not included in this price; you can add the classes you want to attend and any EXTRA meals you want to order in the ‘Add-Ons’ section of this registration.
Thursday to Sunday Camper (3 overnights)
$335.00+$22.03 Eventbrite Fee
Choose this option if you are planning to attend Clay Camp from 4:00pm on Thursday to Sunday evening. This includes overnight Thursday, overnight Friday, and overnight Saturday, all meals, and your workroom table for these days. Classes are not included in this price; you can add the classes you want to attend and any EXTRA meals you want to order in the ‘Add-Ons’ section of this registration.
Friday to Sunday Camper (2 overnights)
$250.00+$16.85 Eventbrite Fee
Choose this option if you are planning to attend Clay Camp from anytime arrival on Friday until 8:00pm on Sunday. This includes overnight Friday, overnight Saturday, all meals, and your workroom table for these days. Classes are not included in this price; you can add the classes you want to attend and any EXTRA meals you want to order in the ‘Add-Ons’ section of this registration.
Saturday & Sunday Camper (1 overnight)
$165.00+$11.68 Eventbrite Fee
Choose this option if you are planning to attend Clay Camp from anytime on Saturday to Sunday evening. This includes overnight Saturday, all meals, and your workroom table for these days. Classes are not included in this price; you can add the classes you want to attend and any EXTRA meals you want to order in the ‘Add-Ons’ section of this registration.
Day Camper Thursday (includes dinner)
$65.00+$5.59 Eventbrite Fee
Choose this option if you are planning to attend Clay Camp but NOT staying overnight at Camp Huston. This includes dinner Thursday plus your worktable. Classes are not included in this price; you can add the classes you want to attend and any EXTRA meals you want to order in the ‘Add-Ons’ section of this registration.
Day Camper Friday (includes lunch and dinner)
$80.00+$6.50 Eventbrite Fee
Choose this option if you are planning to attend Clay Camp but NOT staying overnight at Camp Huston. This includes lunch and dinner Friday plus your worktable. Classes are not included in this price; you can add the classes you want to attend and any EXTRA meals you want to order in the ‘Add-Ons’ section of this registration.
Day Camper Saturday (includes lunch and dinner)
$80.00+$6.50 Eventbrite Fee
Choose this option if you are planning to attend Clay Camp but NOT staying overnight at Camp Huston. This includes lunch and dinner Saturday plus your worktable. Classes are not included in this price; you can add the classes you want to attend and any EXTRA meals you want to order in the ‘Add-Ons’ section of this registration.
Day Camper Sunday (includes lunch and dinner)
$80.00+$6.50 Eventbrite Fee
Choose this option if you are planning to attend Clay Camp but NOT staying overnight at Camp Huston. This includes lunch and dinner Sunday plus your worktable. Classes are not included in this price; you can add the classes you want to attend and any EXTRA meals you want to order in the ‘Add-Ons’ section of this registration.
Day Camper Monday (includes lunch)
$65.00+$5.59 Eventbrite Fee
Choose this option if you are planning to attend Clay Camp but NOT staying overnight at Camp Huston. This includes lunch Monday plus your worktable. Classes are not included in this price; you can add the classes you want to attend and any EXTRA meals you want to order in the ‘Add-Ons’ section of this registration.
Extra Lunch $16.00
Extra Dinner $19.00
