Philosophy

Design Thinking + Civic Engagement!

The Tired-a-Lot Studio re-purposes low-cost and up-cycled materials like pallets and tires to (re)activate vacant lots in our community! (Get it? TIRED-a-LOT…) What makes us unique is that our design/build team is comprised of future leaders- local teens who want to make a difference in their community!
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With the help of local architects and designers we’ll guide teens through the design process (described in greater detail below) to help  develop their problem-solving and design skill-sets as they make a difference in their community! Teen participants will be served lunch and breakfast daily, receive Studio T-shirts, take part in art and design-oriented activities, and attend local and out of state field trips!
In today's fast-paced world it's important for young people learn how to think critically and practice their problem solving skills. We teach our campers to "See, Believe in, and Achieve" their dreams by guiding them through the 4 stages of "Design Thinking":  
​1) Inspiration- data collection,   2) Ideation- concept design,   3) Implementation - building   4) Investigation - collecting feedback. 

T E S T I M O N I A L S

Happy Parents +  Campers!

As the mother of a child with a disability, we're always looking for challenging and fun courses or camps for our son to go to. This one was not only fun and entertaining, but it also emphasized community volunteerism while teaching community planning. "
Tonia B. (2016 "Design Camp" Mom)
I felt the most enjoyable part about the camp was just getting to imagine or create whatever you really wanted and being encouraged to follow your dreams. I felt that it was just a really, great, wonderful experience for children [like me] who have a great big imagination!"
Donovan "Pro" G. (2016 "Design Camp" Camper)

Camp Applications 

2018 Spring Break Studio: April 2- 6
The Tired a Lot Spring Break Studio is a week-long camp for creative high-school students. During the camp, students  create and deploy installations of their own design (i.e. murals and art installations) in the Mount Vernon Park neighborhood.
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Deadline: ​Applications for the Spring Break Studio are open now until March 23rd! 
2018 Summer Studio: June 11 - July 13
The Tired a Lot Summer Studio is a camp for creative high-school students. ​During the summer, high-school students from Mount Vernon Park and greater Fort Wayne will participate in a 5-week design studio, whose final outcome will be the reactivation of 1-2 vacant green lots in the neighborhood. Students attend field trips, meet creative and design professionals, and learn to use power tools in order to bring their visions to reality!
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Deadline: ​Applications for the Summer Studio are open now until May 25th!