The Carlsbad Arts Commission on Nov. 6 received an update on arts-education and outreach programs, including a revived Club Pelican summer camp, school field trips to the Batiquitos Lagoon, gallery-based education and a large fall Art Walk that drew several hundred visitors.

The community coordinator for arts enrichment and education summarized the department’s recent programs. She said Club Pelican, a three-week STEAM-based day camp for 7- to 11-year-olds, enrolled 37 campers in the most recent offering. She read a survey comment from a participant’s family: “My child got to be a kid again,” noting the program helped recently arrived families feel welcome.

Commissioners pressed staff about turnout and capacity. Commissioner Clark asked whether 37 campers reflected pre‑COVID participation; staff said the last full program ran in 2019 and officials do not expect numbers to immediately match pre‑COVID levels. Staff said the current cap is 30 campers per week (two groups of 15) — about 90 across three weeks if fully enrolled — to maintain appropriate staff-to-child ratios.

Staff described school programs that include a three‑hour visit to Batiquitos Lagoon for first graders, gallery visits tied to the printed-and-stitched exhibition for second and third graders, and the CHAPS (California History and Art Program) curriculum that runs January–April for fourth graders. The presenter said Explore More and gallery activities are scheduled to align with testing cycles and exhibit availability.

Community outreach highlights included the Carlsbad Art Walk in September, which organizers estimated attracted roughly 500–600 people over the weekend despite rainy weather, and open-studio events tied to the printed-and-stitched exhibit that drew about 170 participants to a session, including older adults. Staff described partnerships with senior groups and neighborhood organizations, a guest artist residency that included performances at a local patio venue, and new collaborations at Rio Carrillo Ranch with multiple hands-on art stations.

On logistics, staff said schools that require transportation are booking buses and that drop-off times are staggered to limit neighborhood impacts. The presenter said the department has been coordinating with parks and recreation and other internal teams to improve outreach and enrollment.

The presentation closed with a look ahead: a Creative Arts Cultures festival on Saturday (12–2 p.m.), CHAPS running January–April and continued gallery programming expected through April. The commission did not take further action on the report.