Film Camp
Cost
$950*
Where
Maxon Mills
37 Furnace Bank Road
Wassaic, NY 12592
When
July 6–17, 2026
Week 1
Mon–Fri, 9:30 AM–3:30 PM
Week 2
Mon–Thur, 9:30 AM–3:30 PM
+ Fri 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Who
Rising grades 6–10
Now two weeks! Last year’s camp was such a success we’ve decided to expand it to two weeks so that kids can be even more involved in the filmmaking process.
Join filmmaker Chris May in the creation of an original short film telling an original story from the Vagabond Time Killers universe. Campers will perform in and produce all aspects of the film, learning camera, lighting, sound, and editing basics plus the ins and outs of filmmaking collaboration along the way. This camp requires no prior experience and not all campers need to act or perform in front of the camera, but we do ask for flexibility: you may be asked to hold a light, wrap a cord, or provide a sound effect. Every role is essential on set! The film will premiere as part of the final performance on August 15.
On Friday of the second week, July 17, please plan to attend the film premiere from 3:30–4:30 PM!
· · ·
* We have a no-questions-asked scholarship policy to ensure our education programming is accessible to everyone who wants to participate. If the cost of camp presents a significant financial barrier, please reach out to jill@wassaicproject.org for a partial or full scholarship. If you do so before December 18, we will send you a discount code before registration opens.
We will issue a refund minus 20% for cancellations received two weeks in advance of the camp start date. There will be no refunds of cancellation notices received within two weeks, as it is difficult for us to fill the spots on such close notice, and we operate within a narrow budget. We will waive this policy in the event of an emergency or hardship — please email jill@wassaicproject.org should you need to request this.
About the Instructor
Chris May is a film maker and writer based in upstate New York. Born in Wyoming and raised in Missouri, he spent the second part of his life in New York as a musician, photographer, and cinematographer. He has a degree in journalism and creative writing.
Chris has led a number of camps with the Wassaic Project, including Art Scouts, Skateboard Camp, Rock Band, and last year's inaugural Film Camp. He has taught with Washington Montessori School and Skate Yogi in NYC, and worked with Stockade Works and many independent film productions in the Hudson Valley. Chris lives in Wassaic with his toddler, Ruby, and partner, Jill (Education Coordinator at the Wassaic Project!).
Vagabond Time Killers: The Origin Story
Welcome to the town of Whatthewhat, a magical place in a steep valley where fairies build villages in tree roots, apples ripen to the color of indigo, and when you dig a hole in the ground, you never know where it will come out. The moon is always visible in the sky and the water flows uphill (except on Mondays). To enter and leave, you must tell a joke to the bridge troll Inan Doubt, and everyone trades in the blue rocks called slag strewn through the riverbeds. Pantyhose the Billy Goat roams the hills and the horses three, Charlemagne, Antoinette, and Bob, graze happily on the grassy slopes of Rattlesnake Mountain. Here dwell the Vagabond Time Killers, a group of kids expert at killin’ time, the wizard Azorazad who guards the top-secret time machine, and the Unruly Band of Renegade Music Makers, who perform never-before-heard works of music on never-before-seen instruments.
One afternoon, the Vagabond Time Killers were hard at work killing time. They were launching homemade rockets high into the sky, but when they ran out of rocket fuel they decided instead to use chunks of slag. The blast went wrong and caused the entire town of Whatthewhat to shake and quake and the hundreds of slumbering snakes on Rattlesnake Mountain to awaken. The snakes had been asleep for 203 years! They did not appreciate being disturbed. Old Gray Beard, the Keeper of the Rattlesnakes, interpreted the snakes’ hissing and delivered a message to the Vagabonds: they had to find and bring back the tooth of a sabertooth tiger!
Last year, the Vagabond Time Killers were successful in their quest, and retrieved the tooth. The snakes were appeased and settled into fitful slumber for another year. But they are awake again! And demanding another offering, as interpreted by Old Gray Beard, the Keeper of the Rattlesnakes:
They request the left sock lost by their long ago love, Leslie Galapagos. They miss her dearly. Leslie Galapagos was a renowned scientist from Whatthewhat known for her brave explorations and fearless observations. She discovered the rattlesnakes upon a desert island in the year 1693 and under the hot desert sun, the scientist and the rattlesnakes fell in love. During a romantic evening stroll, however, Leslie stepped into some quicksand and lost her shoe and sock. She was able to fish out her shoe, but the sock was lost–seemingly forever. Vagabond Time Killers–you are tasked with traveling through time and space to find Leslie’s sock and bring it back as an offering to the rattlesnakes. Beware, they say! There is quicksand everywhere upon the island. Tread carefully.
Join the Vagabond Time Killers in restoring balance to the town of Whatthewhat! With the help (or sometimes hindrance) of Azorazad the Wizard, Pantyhose the Billy Goat, the troll Inan Doubt, the inventor Eddie, the mad emu Mother, the Unruly Band of Renegade Music Makers, the Keeper of the Rattlesnakes himself, Old Gray Beard, and many more friends, the Vagabond Time Killers will travel into the beyond. Will they succeed in their mission of retrieving the lost left sock of Leslie Galapagos? Only time will tell.
We need you to join on this adventure!
Event Details
Film Camp
Cost
$950*
Where
Maxon Mills
37 Furnace Bank Road
Wassaic, NY 12592
When
July 6–17, 2026
Week 1
Mon–Fri, 9:30 AM–3:30 PM
Week 2
Mon–Thur, 9:30 AM–3:30 PM
+ Fri 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Who
Rising grades 6–10
Now two weeks! Last year’s camp was such a success we’ve decided to expand it to two weeks so that kids can be even more involved in the filmmaking process.
Join filmmaker Chris May in the creation of an original short film telling an original story from the Vagabond Time Killers universe. Campers will perform in and produce all aspects of the film, learning camera, lighting, sound, and editing basics plus the ins and outs of filmmaking collaboration along the way. This camp requires no prior experience and not all campers need to act or perform in front of the camera, but we do ask for flexibility: you may be asked to hold a light, wrap a cord, or provide a sound effect. Every role is essential on set! The film will premiere as part of the final performance on August 15.
On Friday of the second week, July 17, please plan to attend the film premiere from 3:30–4:30 PM!
* We have a no-questions-asked scholarship policy to ensure our education programming is accessible to everyone who wants to participate. If the cost of camp presents a significant financial barrier, please reach out to jill@wassaicproject.org for a partial or full scholarship. If you do so before December 18, we will send you a discount code before registration opens.
We will issue a refund minus 20% for cancellations received two weeks in advance of the camp start date. There will be no refunds of cancellation notices received within two weeks, as it is difficult for us to fill the spots on such close notice, and we operate within a narrow budget. We will waive this policy in the event of an emergency or hardship — please email jill@wassaicproject.org should you need to request this.
About the Instructor
Chris May is a film maker and writer based in upstate New York. Born in Wyoming and raised in Missouri, he spent the second part of his life in New York as a musician, photographer, and cinematographer. He has a degree in journalism and creative writing.
Chris has led a number of camps with the Wassaic Project, including Art Scouts, Skateboard Camp, Rock Band, and last year's inaugural Film Camp. He has taught with Washington Montessori School and Skate Yogi in NYC, and worked with Stockade Works and many independent film productions in the Hudson Valley. Chris lives in Wassaic with his toddler, Ruby, and partner, Jill (Education Coordinator at the Wassaic Project!).
Vagabond Time Killers: The Origin Story
Welcome to the town of Whatthewhat, a magical place in a steep valley where fairies build villages in tree roots, apples ripen to the color of indigo, and when you dig a hole in the ground, you never know where it will come out. The moon is always visible in the sky and the water flows uphill (except on Mondays). To enter and leave, you must tell a joke to the bridge troll Inan Doubt, and everyone trades in the blue rocks called slag strewn through the riverbeds. Pantyhose the Billy Goat roams the hills and the horses three, Charlemagne, Antoinette, and Bob, graze happily on the grassy slopes of Rattlesnake Mountain. Here dwell the Vagabond Time Killers, a group of kids expert at killin’ time, the wizard Azorazad who guards the top-secret time machine, and the Unruly Band of Renegade Music Makers, who perform never-before-heard works of music on never-before-seen instruments.
One afternoon, the Vagabond Time Killers were hard at work killing time. They were launching homemade rockets high into the sky, but when they ran out of rocket fuel they decided instead to use chunks of slag. The blast went wrong and caused the entire town of Whatthewhat to shake and quake and the hundreds of slumbering snakes on Rattlesnake Mountain to awaken. The snakes had been asleep for 203 years! They did not appreciate being disturbed. Old Gray Beard, the Keeper of the Rattlesnakes, interpreted the snakes’ hissing and delivered a message to the Vagabonds: they had to find and bring back the tooth of a sabertooth tiger!
Last year, the Vagabond Time Killers were successful in their quest, and retrieved the tooth. The snakes were appeased and settled into fitful slumber for another year. But they are awake again! And demanding another offering, as interpreted by Old Gray Beard, the Keeper of the Rattlesnakes:
They request the left sock lost by their long ago love, Leslie Galapagos. They miss her dearly. Leslie Galapagos was a renowned scientist from Whatthewhat known for her brave explorations and fearless observations. She discovered the rattlesnakes upon a desert island in the year 1693 and under the hot desert sun, the scientist and the rattlesnakes fell in love. During a romantic evening stroll, however, Leslie stepped into some quicksand and lost her shoe and sock. She was able to fish out her shoe, but the sock was lost–seemingly forever. Vagabond Time Killers–you are tasked with traveling through time and space to find Leslie’s sock and bring it back as an offering to the rattlesnakes. Beware, they say! There is quicksand everywhere upon the island. Tread carefully.
Join the Vagabond Time Killers in restoring balance to the town of Whatthewhat! With the help (or sometimes hindrance) of Azorazad the Wizard, Pantyhose the Billy Goat, the troll Inan Doubt, the inventor Eddie, the mad emu Mother, the Unruly Band of Renegade Music Makers, the Keeper of the Rattlesnakes himself, Old Gray Beard, and many more friends, the Vagabond Time Killers will travel into the beyond. Will they succeed in their mission of retrieving the lost left sock of Leslie Galapagos? Only time will tell.
We need you to join on this adventure!
Sponsorship Levels
Our Sponsors
Photos