Creative Expression FOr Kids

Creative Expression for Kids is facilitated by Tara Rainstrom in Refuge Event Space in downtown Troy, NY. It is a program designed to invite and encourage children ages 5 - 11 to express themselves through movement, art, storytelling, and music.

Children engaging in a tie-dye activity outdoors, with colorful dye bottles in the foreground and children sitting and kneeling on a large white sheet in the background, surrounded by outdoor furniture and a wooden fence.
Children engaging in tie-dye activity outdoors, with colorful fabric and spray bottles on a tarp.
Children decorating and working on arts and crafts at a table, with various craft supplies like tape, scissors, and egg cartons in a room with a beige wall and overhead lighting.
A group of children at a birthday party, wearing paper crowns, holding signs, and wearing birthday hats and masks, with a woman taking a selfie with them in a brightly lit room.
Children engaged in arts and crafts at a long table, with supplies including yarn, ribbons, scissors, and decorations, inside a well-lit room with wooden floors and minimal wall decoration.
Children and an adult resting on colorful cushions in a cozy room with stuffed animals and toys on a ledge.
Children dressed in costumes, including Spider-Man, Dorothy, and a princess, sitting on chairs during a party or event.
Three children dressed in costumes, including a pirate, Spider-Man, and a character from Transformers, standing together at a costume party or Halloween event.
Two children craft a decorative plant with a cardboard box, twine, and artificial foliage at a table cluttered with craft supplies.
Children dressed in costumes, including a unicorn headband and witch outfit, are sitting on the wooden floor working on cardboard craft projects.
Four children playing around a red and white mushroom-shaped play tent in a cozy room with colorful pillows, plush carpet, and decorative items on a shelf.
Two young girls painting paper mushroom craft decorations with red paint, sitting at a black table in a classroom.
Three children building a cardboard structure inside a room with a forest mural on the wall.
Two young girls are decorating and painting eggs at a table for a craft activity. One girl is smiling at the camera while the other is focused on her work. The table is filled with colorful paints, brushes, and decorated eggs, indicating a festive or
Children and adult participating in an art activity at a table with decorated paper mushroom sculptures and drawings on the wall.
Children engaging in a craft activity, working with white modeling clay and craft tools at a table with various supplies around.
Children gathered around a black table engaged in arts and crafts, with craft supplies scattered on the table. The room has colorful butterfly wall decals, a small play kitchen, and a cozy living area in the background.
Colorful promotional artwork for Refuge Event Space titled "Creative Expression for Kids" featuring vibrant splashes of paint in purple, orange, yellow, and blue with the Refuge logo at the top.

The foundational principles

Expression comes in many forms. I invite the children to explore how they can express themselves through many formats. There are often themes that we explore in multiple mediums or projects.

Let's be curious together.  My program is all about discovery and asking ourselves questions and trying new ways of creating art.

Process > Product. I focus on enjoying the process of creating rather than having to complete a finished product.

Consent-based engagement. The children are invited, not required to participate in the activities planned for the group.  It's super duper important that they have a say in what they want to do. It's meant to be fun! This is their time to play and explore.

Creative Expression for Kids is a program where we invite the children to be themselves authentically and unashamed in all of their expressions and ways that they identify for themselves. Identity is a foundational aspect of creative expression; through expression we discover the story of who we are and learn what we have to say. We will take turns sharing/performing and listening/witnessing each other to promote an inclusive atmosphere where all of the children have the opportunity to be seen and heard to the extent they feel comfortable.

Program Dates

August 25 - 29, 2025

Program hours run from 9 am - 3 pm.

It’s suggested that children wear clothing and shoes they can move comfortably in. Lunch is not provided.  A snack of fresh fruit and water are offered daily. A refrigerator is available for storing lunches from home.

Registration

$350 per child/per week

We have 2 spots in each of our weeks for a reduced rate for families in need. If your family needs assistance and would like to claim a spot, please reach out. These are offered on a first come, first served basis.

Please make sure to read the program policies before registering.

Policies

Arrival Policy: 

Our program runs from 9 am – 3 pm Monday through Friday. Please be sure to bring your children at Refuge no earlier than 8:45.

Dismissal Policy:

Our program runs from 9 am - 3 pm Monday through Friday. Please be sure to pick up your child no later than 3:15,

Food Policy:

Children will bring their lunches from home each day. There is a fridge on site for keeping lunches cool.  Please make sure lunch boxes are labeled with names.  Our program will provide an afternoon snack of water and fresh fruit daily.  Please provide us with detailed information if your child has any food allergies, special instructions, and information for how to best accommodate them.

Screen-free program policy:

We encourage all children to be fully engaged in our program and ask that no devices be brought during our time together.

Safety policy:

We want everyone in our program to feel safe. If a case arises where the safety of an individual or other children is in question, the guardians will be called and asked to pick the child up that is putting themselves or others in danger and will be removed from the program. A refund will not be given.

TERMS & CONDITIONS 

We have a limited number of spaces in this program. An invoice will be sent to you to submit payment. Please pay your invoice within 7 days to reserve your spot.

An enrolled participant may be withdrawn by writing to us at refugetroy@gmail.com. We must receive notice of cancellation on or before 30 days before the program begins, a $50 administration fee will be charged, the remainder of the tuition will be refunded. If you cancel your enrollment/application in writing after these stated deadlines, you will forfeit 50% of the total program tuition.  

If the program is discontinued in the event of a health or safety emergency and/or pandemic, you will be entitled to a prorated refund (as applicable) of any portion of the tuition or fees paid. 

Creative Expression for Kids has a limited number of spaces for enrollment. We appreciate families’ understanding that we have committed time and energy to establishing this program and have offered one of a limited number of spaces.  Registration for enrollment is a commitment.  The parties agree that the commitment of a percentage of Program Tuition is reasonable compensation for the early withdrawal of the participant. 

Parents or guardians also agree to accept full financial responsibility for the repair or replacement of any property damaged by the participant and any personal injury to program personnel, other participants/staff or third parties caused by the participant, and to promptly reimburse Refuge Event Space for such expenses or costs. The program (Creative Expression for Kids), and Refuge Event Space is not liable for any loss or damage to the participant’s property, and the participant is responsible for such loss at all times. 

Participants will not be allowed to begin the program unless their account is paid in full, as well as liability form signed. 

Thank you. We can’t wait to spend the week together as a group!

Creative Expression for Kids is not a NYS regulated children’s camp.

Tara Rainstrom (she/her)

Tara has a degree in Fine Arts and has studied dance for decades. She has worked with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, Club Zoe, the Girl Scouts, and the Mental Health Association to provide arts and movement classes for children of all ages. She has a passion for facilitating practices in movement and creative expression to strengthen the connection between our mind, body, and spirit to live an integrated and authentic life.

A woman sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of a decorative floral arch, smiling. She has long wavy hair and is wearing a floral crown, a turquoise and black top, and black and white striped pants. She is surrounded by large, flat pieces of painted cardboard or fabric, with a paint palette and brush to her right. The background features a cozy room with blue and green chairs, a hanging floral backdrop, and windows with white curtains.