An interactive Musikfest camp featuring hands-on sessions with the festival’s performers and new STEAM-based art camps highlight the dynamic camp lineup at ArtsQuest’s Banana Factory arts center this summer. The 2017 summer session, featuring weeklong camps for ages 4-17, runs June 12- Aug. 11. New this year, the arts center is also offering sessions from Aug. 21-Sept. 1 for parents looking for camps right before children return to school. For complete information, or to register for a camp, visit www.bananafactory.org or call 610-332-1300.

Highlighting the 2017 camp lineup is Camp Musikfest, a new camp that takes participants behind the scenes at the festival to learn about the hundreds of performers who make up one of the nation’s largest music and art festivals. Each day offers a new opportunity to meet and work with professionals including creating original works of art with visual artists; performing on stage with professional comedians; and learning about cinema with seasoned filmmakers. In just two examples, students will perform music with New York City-based funk and jazz ensemble Black Tie Brass and discover breakdancing with USA Break Dancers. Camp Musikfest runs Aug. 7-11, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and is open to ages 9-13.

The Banana Factory is putting ‘STEAM’ in the spotlight in its camps for ages 4-9 by highlighting the many ways the visual arts are enhanced by science, technology, engineering and math. During each of its “Creative Works: STEAM Art Camp” sessions, students will learn how art intersects with science and technology in classes that explore recycling and sustainability, robotics, astronomy, physics and architecture. Each week concludes with an art party and exhibition where family and friends can see the wonderful science inspired artwork created by campers.

Also new this year are select Pre-Teen and Teen Studio Intensives, which offer a more serious artistic experience for students looking to build foundational skills, stretch creative limits, discover new techniques and refine existing skills. Classes include Board Game Design, Mixed Media Sculpture, Video Game Design, Mixed Media Painting: Selfie Portraits, Art Bots & Kinetic Creations, Intro to Filmmaking and more.

Banana Factory camps run 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and parents can sign up their kids up for full- or half-day sessions. Also available are before-care (8-9 a.m.) and after-care (3:30-6 p.m.), making it easier than ever for families to take advantage of the art center’s diverse summer camp lineup.

For more information on Banana Factory summer camps, check out www.bananafactory.org or call 610-332-1300.