Vacation Programs are offered during mid-winter and spring vacations. These programs give curious kids an opportunity to dive into specific interests in architecture and test out their own ideas. Each program explores a different theme through art and building activities, design challenges, and guided investigations of architectural examples. Our educators strive to accommodate all learners. Classes are taught in a group setting and students engage independently to design and build projects. Classes include 12 to 16 students, 1 teacher, and 1 assistant.
Vacation Programs run three days (Tue–Thu), 9am–4pm. Price: $425.
Need-based partial scholarships are available. Upon completing program registration as a “scholarship applicant”, you will automatically receive a confirmation email which includes a link to the Scholarship Application. Your registration is complete once you submit the Scholarship Application. If you are selected to receive a scholarship, you will be notified by email within one week of the due date. At that time, balance payment will be due.
2025 Vacation Programs have concluded. Information for 2026 Vacation Programs will be available in December.
Looking for Summer Programs? Please go here.
Check out our Youth Programs FAQs. For further questions, please email k12education@centerforarchitecture.org.
Upcoming Vacation Programs
2025 Vacation Programs have concluded. Information for 2026 Vacation Programs will be available in December.
Parks and Playgrounds (Grades 3-5) Tuesday, February 18 - Thursday, February 20, 2025
Kids are the experts in this program focusing on the design of parks and playgrounds. The class will visit parks and playgrounds to assess their design features by playing (of course!) and conducting on-site analysis through surveys, drawings, and user interviews. Students will explore and design different types of play spaces, culminating in a model of their own ideal park or playground.
*This program is during NYC Public School February Break*
Digital Design: Bridges (Grades 6-8) Tuesday, February 18 - Thursday, February 20, 2025
Beam, truss, arch, suspension, and moveable bridges support weight and span great distances. Students will learn about these different bridge types through interactive discussions and activities. Students will then use 3D design software to create bridges of their own design.
Students will need to bring their own laptop and charging cord with Windows 11 or 10 or Mac OS 13+ (Ventura), 12+ (Monterey) and 11+ (Big Sur) for this class. Students can bring their own mouse or CFA will provide a wired mouse for student use. Students will be sent a link to download the free SketchUp trial software prior to the first day of class. Students with Chromebooks can use the free web-based SketchUp software. Tablets and phones cannot be used for this program. Please check your system requirements here.
*This program is during NYC Public School February Break*
Treehouses (Grades 3 - 5) Tuesday, April 15 - Thursday, April 17, 2025
After first learning about the structure of trees, students craft scale models inspired by their own idea of the perfect tree. Using these creations as a starting point, students will be challenged to design and build a fantasy treehouse within its branches. The class will explore various techniques to support the treehouse and create ladders, swings, furniture, and other fun details. By the end of this course, students will have created their very own model treehouse.
*This program is during NYC Public School Spring Break*
Houses of the Future (Grades 6 - 8) Tuesday, April 15 - Thursday, April 17, 2025
Students investigate the history of housing and consider what’s in store for the future. This class will explore historic homes to see how people lived in the past, discover advancements in green architecture today, and speculate about how we might live in the future. For their final project, students will design and build their own scale model for a house of the future.
*This program is during NYC Public School Spring Break*
