About Art Camp 4 Grownups


History of Art Camp 4 Grownups

For the 20th year, experienced and novice artists alike have the chance to enjoy a six-day respite from their everyday lives in the splendor of a lush and affordable retreat at our host location in the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains called Camp de Benneville Pines.  

Art Camp started when camp leadership decided to offer life drawing and photography classes to its August adult encampment. As years went by, more and varied classes were offered, in watercolor, acrylics, and other favored disciplines.  

Art Camp is run by the arts community, who rent the location from CdBP.


Our main communication with you is by EMAIL, so please check yours often!

How Art Camp Works

During Registration, you will choose an Intensive Class and a Cabin Preference. These are first come, first served, and waiting lists will be created in the order of registration after they are filled. There are also Workshops in the afternoons which you sign up for each morning.

  • All activities and classes at our Artist Retreat are optional — except Orientation!

  • There is something for everyone. With so many choices, each day can be as full, or as relaxing, as you desire.

  • There are lots of art-related activities on the schedule, or just take time to relax and breathe the mountain air. It is a retreat after all!

  • CLASSES include 5-day INTENSIVES which are 3 hours each day. In addition there are two slots for 90-minute WORKSHOPS in the afternoons on days 2 thru 5.

  • Outside of class offerings, take time to unwind and enjoy nature, swim, soak in the spa, get a massage, do yoga, archery, go for a walk, or just sit and create, or visit with friends.

  • Invite your adult children, friends, and partners to join you at camp. Everyone will have a splendid time!

  • Even though Art is the main focus, being in the mountains and having all your meals prepared for you, takes the pressure off of your daily routine and provides a serenity that refreshes and refills your spirit!

After Registration, please refer to our website to review your materials needed. You will have plenty of time to shop for supplies you do not already have.

In August, a formal packet will be emailed out with Forms to fill out and bring to Check-in. It will contain all the info you will need for camp, as well as Materials and Packing Checklists. Additional details will be provided during Orientation on the first day of camp.

VIEW SAMPLE SCHEDULE FOR TYPICAL OFFERINGS AND ACTIVITIES

ACCESSIBILITY:

Camp provides parking and access for handicapped guests. There are paved roads for easier walking, and cabins and art venues are connected by roads or smooth trails. Where there are stairs, there are alternate paths for access. If you have any specific questions about navigating our camp, please reach out on the “contact us” page.


FACILITIES: CABINS, ROOMS & ACTIVITIES

NOTE for Web Admin: This section is repeated on the About CdBP page. Consolidate this info and put it on Accommodations page as Cabins and Rooms, with facilities, Activities & Meals. Make these summaries brief. Do not repeat info if not necessary.

If you and your preferred roommate identify each other, you will be given priority for “two-to-a-room” (unless you request a family/friends room for 3 or 4 campers). This is in priority order — first come, first served

No guarantees can be made. The cabins vary and the premium ones go quickly, and may have added fees. We try to accommodate couples or groups requesting to room together.

Cabin 6 is a premium cabin. The first 3 pairs of roommates to request Cabin 6 on their Registration will fill this in-demand three-bedroom house. The upgrade fee is $250 p/p. A Wait List will follow, in the order of your registration date (Be sure to write in Comments that you request to be on Cabin 6 Wait List.)

Priority for two-person rooms

  • Priority is given to declared roommates in the order of their registration

  • Camp has many 2-twin-bed rooms. These are assigned first to declared roommates

  • Camp has several rooms with 3 twin beds. These are given first to groups or families requesting to room together

  • There is one 4 person room.

Couples rooms

  • We offer a small number of couples rooms requested at Registration

  • Double-bed couple’s rooms have a $50 p/p fee

Private Rooms

  • Only two Private Rooms are available at the outset for 2 early registrants! First come/first served. Ask to be on the Wait List.

  • Guaranteed for $650 additional ????

  • Put a Note in the Comments field of your registration

  • Paid at time of registration

  • Wait List will follow for these 2 guaranteed private rooms

  • In late August, lower-cost private rooms may be offered to those who have requested a private room in Comments during Registration, if the rooms become available

  • Camp usually sells out, so the likelihood of a private room is slim

    The discounted fee is $350

  • First come, first served, based on your registration date and your request written in the Comments field at the time of your registration

  • We reserve the right to provide ADA campers with rooms fitting their needs


REGISTRATION INCLUDES:

  • Intensive Art Classes - 5 Days [LINK]

  • Afternoon Workshops - up to 8  (materials provided)  [LINK]

  • Lodging - 5 nights in warm cabins [LINK]

  • Meals - 15 delicious home-cooked meals, coffee, tea, hot chocolate artesian water—all day. Snacks at happy hour. (BYOB)

  • Optional Activites: Relaxing, Massage, Yoga, Hiking, Swimming, Spa, and other opportunities to commune with nature and socialize, meet, and make new friends—and more. [Camp facilities and activities LINK]

Additional Info about Costs:

  • Tuition for Artists is included; some Intensives have a materials list or fee that is quite reasonable. Workshop materials are provided for free.

  • Non-Artist Partners pay $1045 (or $995 if registered by June 15th). No art activities included.

  • $40 fee if you are arriving on Wed

Click here when registration opens in 2026

Gallery

Scenes from around Camp and some of the beautiful art created in past years at Art Camp!

Atmospheric Watercolors Intensive

Intensive Instructor, Adeola Davies-Aiyeloja, teaching her Abstract Workshop


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Instructors share “My Life as an Artist” talks

Daughters flew in to spend a week at Art Camp with Mom

Mary flew in from Wisconsin

There are Redwoods, Spruce, and Oaks, but Pines Rule!

Afternoon dips, always with a Lifeguard

Plein Air

Our Art Show

Game Night! We laugh a LOT!


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Greg Brown in the Life Drawing Intensive

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Art displayed in the Art Show on the final day

Afternoon Abstract Painting Workshop

Our 6-room cabins

Class in the Pavilion

Wayne’s Way…a lovely walk to your cabin or class

Outdoor Art Class

Inside the Lodge

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Rock Painting Workshop

Brisk Morning Hikes

Game Night

Game Night

Campers’ Art “Show and Tell” on our first night