Kokee Community Arts Camp
Giving Voice to Place
Families spend less and less time truly connecting to nature and more time in front of screens. The Kokee Community Arts Camp (KCAC) offers an ideal location for families to get away from the stressors of everyday life and tap into their creativity and imagination. KCAC features a one bedroom, one bathroom A-frame cabin with a loft available to book an overnight experience in Kokee State Park (see brochure). Beginning in the summer of 2022 the KCAC large main bunk house and bath room facility will be opened up to accommodate large groups of people for educational camps and retreats.
KCAC is dedicated to providing children and families access and exposure to innovative nature-based arts education. Researchers recently concluded that “experiences in nature and making art are a winning combo that boosts academic performance and learning in ways that are currently undervalued and underfunded by education policymakers.” – Psychology Today
We believe a wide range of community arts can address all humanity through creative expression and problem solving, ultimately building emotional intelligence, creative capacity, and respect for the diversity of all life. The power of the community arts is to transform, engage, and build empathy and peace with those who experience the high elevation Hawaiian forest in a tranquil, yet resource rich overnight environment. Essentially, KCAC will enable children and families to connect with nature, thereby developing lasting environmental literacy and awareness.
Our Goal: To create a camp-out experience that enables children and families to truly connect with nature, providing storytellers, lei-making, and naturalists to lead hikes.
We will provide numerous nature-based arts education programs throughout the year to individuals and groups. Aspects of the high-elevation forest that contain stories and place names of significance in Hawaiian culture will be highlighted throughout all programs. Visitors and residents will be invited to participate in:
Visual, literary, and performing arts related to the high forest’s history, flora and fauna
Environmental education programs based on cultural resources, i.e. wood and paper pulp, medicinal plants, bird feathers, and lei making materials
Science discovery workshops led by naturalists guiding a study of the highland forest surrounding KCAC
In the ongoing initiatives of KCAC to include school age children participating in camp programs, we intend to host several teacher workshops/retreats per year. This will allow us to work with Kauai teachers to develop curriculum that connects students to nature in a meaningful way, melding environmental education, science education and the arts by incorporating engaging STEAM curriculum into Kauai classrooms.
Finally, KCAC will contribute to the economic revitalization of Kauai as a vibrant arts and cultural destination by hosting visiting artist residencies, artist retreats, writing retreats, meditation and healing arts retreats, gallery exhibits, and other innovative programming.
We also seek to invite community organizations that cultivate connections with island residents to use the facilities, while strengthening their own unique values, heritage, and culture through the arts.
Storybook Theatre's Facilities Committee has assessed the workmanship of all repairs and rehabilitation of KCAC. The committee also visits the camp regularly and personally inspects all maintenance and safety of the site prior to launching any KCAC programming.
Kokee Community Arts Camp Registration
Complete and submit form below.
Call Storybook Theatre at 808-335-0712 to confirm reservation. Availability will be determined upon reservation confirmation by phone with a manager.
Upon reservation confirmation, a $200 deposit must be paid to hold the dates. Payment is due at check in. Guests are required to show photo ID and credit card for the key.
Check-in 4:00pm, Check-out 11:00am. Maximum number of adults and children: 7.
Guests need to bring bedding, pillows, towels, blankets, bath mat, kitchen towels, personal amenities, extra water and battery-operated lights.
Terms & Conditions:
Cabin is not ADA compliant
No pets or animals allowed.
No alcohol or smoking on premises.
Quiet enjoyment is expected of all guests.
Remove all trash in cabin and around building.
Please clean up after yourself and leave cabin in order.
Lock all doors and turn off lights.
You may forfeit your deposit for damages or excessive cleaning.
