Cloud 9 Workshop — Local services in Milwaukee

This was the second year that my rising second-grader experienced the Cloud9 summer camps. Last year he did Gadgets & Gizmos and Lotions, Potions, and Slime. Loved them so much that he couldn't wait to come back. This year, he did those two camps again, plus Amazing Animal Art, Teeny Tiny Rooms with Itty Bitty Art, and Treehouse Architects. Our family has SO many positive things to say about this very special place.

My son is a naturally crafty kid (unlike his mother), and this place absolutely feeds his soul. The people who work there are kind, skilled, patient, community-minded, and are wonderful with the kids. My son learned so many new skills (more than I'm aware of, I'm sure), but they include: hand sewing, weaving, paper mache, sanding, and even just how to draw up a blueprint and how to have the patience to think through a design before just diving in. He loved that he both was always learning new skills, AND that he could build upon the skills he had learned in earlier camps (for example, he learned to weave during Amazing Animal Art, and then decided to weave a window covering in Teen Tiny Rooms).

In fact, his confidence and comfort in making mistakes has SOARED this summer, for which we are so grateful and which is so so so perfect for going into the school year. When the kids first build their initial designs, they do the "earthquake test" for the projects that include structures (like the "Teeny tiny room" camp, which was more like building your own dollhouse than making a diorama, which is what I had been expecting, or "Treehouse Architects"), and if the structure doesn't hold up they identify what needs to be fixed and go about making those changes. Similar process for when they make their boats during Gadgets & Gizmos (a floating test). Essentially, they are learning about prototypes and the process of creation, understanding that making errors is part of the process, and that we don't always get it right the first time.

WELL, my 7yr old boy is telling me on one of the last days of his last camp at Cloud9 this summer, that a friend who was new to the camp got really upset during the earthquake test because the friend's structure broke. Without my prompting at all, he says, "I guess he just doesn't understand yet that making mistakes is part of how you create." WOW. I was floored. This is a kid who previously did not have this mindset. As we talked more about it--how he really learned through his experiences at Cloud9 that it's not always going to be right the first time, and that's ok, in fact that's to be expected--I really came to understand that what these camps have given him is not just new skills, not even just the pride he feels around his art. It's CONFIDENCE: it is comfort around making mistakes, the understanding that failure is just one step in a longer process, the self-assuredness to bounce back and see mistakes as an opportunity to make something better. This confidence (and frankly, humbleness) will serve my son well not just at the beginning of the school year, but throughout the years.

I am SO grateful to Cloud9 Workshop. It's so much more than just a place to create. My son has loved every single thing they've done every single day, and he takes so much pride now in his ability to create. He's made unique creations that he wouldn't have been able to do at home or at any other camp. AND he's gained a newfound patience and confidence around the process of being a maker. Truly a very, very special place. Sharing here just a few examples of the art he's made (and been so proud of)...

Cloud 9 has great kids' art classes! My daughter has taken classes here multiple times and has had a great experience every time. Projects are creative and use recycled materials. Classes are also educational and affordable.

We hosted my 10 year old daughter's birthday party here and this hands down was the best party venue we have used. You can pick your own project and the selections are tailored to different age groups. All of her friends had fun and the art room is spacious for the group for art and food. I highly recommend it! Kelcey is great with kids and to work with for the pre-planning. Everything was easy.

Update: still a promoter of Cloud 9. My daughter has aged out of most of the programs but has volunteered two Summers now to help with classes as an art assistant. Always a positive experience for her. Find Cloud9 at other pop ups too for...

We had our daughter’s 5th birthday party here and it was fabulous. 15 kids ranging from toddler to elementary school age had a blast making cool crafts. The staff was very engaging and attentive. Best of all, all we had to do was show up with birthday cake and literally everything else was taken care of by the staff: plates, cups, decorations, prep and cleanup. I felt the pricing was reasonable given all that’s included and when compared to other Milwaukee bday party venues. Thank you Cloud 9 for a...