Mary Ellen Hill ~ Storyteller & Teacher

My Calendar





FAD PAD Enrichment After School Classes 2024

K-5th graders with 8 children maximum and 4 minimum.


Please join us at the FAD PAD - for some awesome after-school enrichment classes!

Wednesday Starwitz - exploring the magical world of Harry Potter, Book 4: The Goblet of Fire.
Wednesday classes are from 2:00-5:00 for 17 weeks and the fee is $1020 + $20 = $1040  January 10 - May 15, 2024


Thursday BOT BOT Day - gardening, fabric crafts, drama, games, food tasting and art.
Thursday classes are from 3:00/15 - 6:00 for 17 weeks and the fee is $1020 + $20 = $1040  January 11 - May 16, 2024


EACH CLASS HAS A REGISTRATION AND SUPPLY FEE OF $20.

NO CLASSES During Week of February 5-9 and Spring Break- April 1-5, 2024.

Monday, Tuesay and Friday there are No Classes


How to sign up.

1. Please let me know by email or phone or text (510-219-3474) what class you want. When I confirm there is an opening, then you can follow the next steps.

2. Fill out the FAD PAD registration form. Go to: www.mehstories.com, then click on FAD PAD, scroll down and you will see the form.

3. Please pay the $1040 fee now. See below for payments plans. Once you pay I will confirm your spot.

4. I will email you the FAD PAD Release form you need to fill out and return to me.


Please contact me directly if you want to set up a payment plan, create a trade, request a scholarship and if you need references.


Registration Form
If you have already been to a FAD PAD playshop or camp and your contact information has not changed, you do not need to fill out the FAD PAD Registration Form.




*There are 4 ways to send this fee.*

1. Make a check out to and mail it to: Mary Ellen Hill, 7548 Circle Hill Drive, Oakland, CA 94605.

2. Use VENMO on your phone. I am listed as Mary Ellen Hill @ MaryEllen-Hill-4.
There is also a photo of me that is the same photo that is on the homepage of my website, 510-219-3474.

3. Cash


4. Paypal  Slightly higher fee of $1080. Thank you.

FAD PAD Enrichment After School 2024





Adoptees Connecting Club (ACC)
5 Saturdays ~ $500
January 27, 2024, February 24, 2024
March 23, 2024, April 27, 2024, May 18, 2024

1:00pm - 5:00pm

This session is for adopted children who want to share and explore their adoption in a supportive and playful way with other adoptees.
All members will have many opportunities to celebrate their particular life journey as an adopted person
through various art and craft forms: writing, drawing, storytelling, creative visualization and drama.
Mary Ellen was adopted as an infant and has been exploring adoption in various creative ways for many years.

Fee: $500

*There are 4 ways to send this fee.*

1. Make a check out to and mail it to: Mary Ellen Hill, 7548 Circle Hill Drive, Oakland, CA 94605.

2. Use VENMO on your phone. I am listed as Mary Ellen Hill @ MaryEllen-Hill-4.
There is also a photo of me that is the same photo that is on the homepage of my website, 510-219-3474.

3. Cash


4. PayPal  Slightly higher fee of $516.00. Thank you.






Fad Pad Summer Camps 2024


OUR 14th FAD PAD Season of Summer Fun!


FAD (Fun Art and Drama) + PAD (Mary Ellen's home studio) =

lots of fun, creative and innovative camps!

M - F,  9:30a-3:30p,  $500,  K-5th gr.,  Eight children max, 4 min

Location: Edwards Ave. Exit off HW580 in Oakland, CA

YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR ONE STARWITZ AND ONE FAIRY CAMP

YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR MULTIPLE BOTBOT CAMPS



Session 1: May 27 - May 31, 2024 Starwitz : Harry Potter Camp
Session 2: June 3 -7, 2024 Starwitz : Harry Potter Camp
Session 3: June 10 - 14 Starwitz : Harry Potter Camp

This summer we will cover Book 4 :"Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire". We will delve into the magical and imaginary realm of witches and wizards art, play and drama. Activities and topics will include but are not limited to wands and spell work; the Sorting Hat; visiting Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade; attending the Quidittch World Cup; Acting out the 3 Triwizard Tasks, and attending Defense Against the Dark Arts and Care of Magical Creatures classes. Headmistress ME has been a Harry Potter fan since the books came out in 1997!



NO CAMP June 17 - 21, 2024


Session 4: June 28 - 30, 2024 +BOTBOT Camp (a bit of this and a bit of that)
Come and enjoy some FAD PAD favorites: cooking, gardening, sewing, drama and various art projects plus general goofing around! Mary Ellen has so many activities she likes to do with campers- she can't choose just one!


NO CAMP June 1 - 5, 2024

Session 5: July 8 - 12, 2024 + Fairy Camp
Session 6: July 15-19, 2024 + Fairy Camp
Calling all fairy fans! Flower and tree fairies await your arrival! Campers will make fairy houses using clay, paper, wood and fabric. We will also spend time playing, singing and dancing in a wide array of fairy costumes. On Friday, we will be baking and making treats for our fairy tea party! Since she was a little girl in Indiana, Mary Ellen enjoyed play acting with her neighbor friends and looks forward to meeting more fairies in her garden!



NO CAMP July 22 - 26, 2024

Session 7: July 29 - Aug 2, 2024 + Gardening and Cooking Camp *organic and vegetarian*
Come explore Mary Ellen's big, beautiful, magical backyard! Campers will learn about and harvest organic fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers and use them for yummy cooking projects. Basic gardening and cooking skills will be taught and all campers will brew their own fresh herbal tea each day. Friday Mystery Pot is totally magical and delicious. Mary Ellen has enjoyed creating recipes and trying them out since she was a youngster and loves to garden.


Session 8: August 5 - 9 + BOTBOT Camp
BOTBOT Camp (a bit of this and a bit of that) Come and enjoy some FAD PAD favorites: cooking, gardening, sewing, drama and various art projects plus general goofing around! Mary Ellen has so many activities she likes to do with campers- she can't choose just one!



COME AND JOIN IN ALL THE FUN!!

Mary Ellen Hill, Headmistress, Camp Creator and Director, Professional Storyteller

*go to website to see photos from past camps*

To sign up: Choose preferred sessions, then contact Mary Ellen to make sure there are openings. mehstories@netzero.com / www.mehstories.com/ 510-219-3474

References, reduced fees and payments plans are available- please contact Mary Ellen.



How to sign up.

1. Please let Mary Ellen by email or phone or text (510-219-3474) what session(s) you want. When she confirms there is an opening, then you can follow the next steps.

2. Fill out the FAD PAD registration form on the website. You do not have to fill out a FAD PAD registration form if you have been the FAD PAD before, unless your contact information has changed.

3. Please pay the fee now. Once you pay, Mary Ellen will confirm your spot.

4. Mary Ellen will email you the 2024 FAD PAD Release form you need to fill out and return.

CANCELLATION POLICY FOR CAMPS: January 2-March 20: Receive half tuition refund. March 23- May 3: Receive a quarter of tuition refund. After May 3: No refunds.

SCHOLARSHIP POILCY FOR CAMPS: There is ONE PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIP for each session. There is ONE FULL SCHOLARSHIP available.

Payment plans are available for everyone.

Please contact Mary Ellen directly if you want to set up a payment plan or request a scholarship and if you need references.



Registration and Payment:
This is how you sign up for Fall Fad Pad Playshops

Please fill out the Registration Form or I can email it to you.
If you have already been to a FAD PAD playshop or camp and your contact information has not changed, you do not need to fill out the FAD PAD Registration Form.

The FAD PAD Release form will be emailed to you once you fill out the Registration Form out and return it to me.
Once you have sent in the registration, release form and payment, I will confirm your spot.


*There are 4 ways to send this fee.*

1. Make a check out to and mail it to: Mary Ellen Hill, 7548 Circle Hill Drive, Oakland, CA 94605.

2. Use VENMO on your phone. I am listed as Mary Ellen Hill @ MaryEllen-Hill-4.
There is also a photo of me that is the same photo that is on the homepage of my website, 510-219-3474.

3. Cash

4. Paypal
(Slightly higher rate.)

FAD PAD Summer Camps 2024






Winter Spring 2024 FAD PAD HOLIDAY CAMPS

All camps are from 9:30 to 3:30 for K-5th graders with 8 children maximum and 4 minimum. $100 per day.


Winter Wonder Day:
January 8, Monday
Create magical sun decorations, winter garden discoveries, act out sun stories.


Animal Friend Days:
January 15, 2024 Monday
Make a clay/puppet/mask animal ally and create a ceremony for your beloved pet or an extinct animal.


Stitch-N-Time Day:
February 16, 2024 Friday and February 19, 2024 Monday
Come and learn or brush up on your hand stitching talents. Bring some things that
need mending and any clothes you want to sew on a button/ribbon/do-dad on or decorate with fabric


Harry Potter Day:
March 29, 2024 Friday
Go to Hogsmeade, attend Charms class and play Harry Potter games


Spring Fun Days:
April 1, 2024 Monday and April 2, 2024 Tuesday
Celebrate Spring at the FAD PAD! Paint the new CT, Spring garden planting, and act out Spring stories



Registration and Payment:
This is how you sign up for Fall Fad Pad Playshops

Please fill out the Registration Form or I can email it to you.
If you have already been to a FAD PAD playshop or camp and your contact information has not changed, you do not need to fill out the FAD PAD Registration Form.

The FAD PAD Release form will be emailed to you once you fill out the Registration Form out and return it to me.
Once you have sent in the registration, release form and payment, I will confirm your spot.


*There are 4 ways to send this fee.*

1. Make a check out to and mail it to: Mary Ellen Hill, 7548 Circle Hill Drive, Oakland, CA 94605.

2. Use VENMO on your phone. I am listed as Mary Ellen Hill @ MaryEllen-Hill-4.
There is also a photo of me that is the same photo that is on the homepage of my website, 510-219-3474.

3. Cash



4. Paypal Slightly higher rate of $105.00 Thank you.

FAD PAD Holiday Camps 2024




2nd FAD PAD Work Party!

Fabulous Families and Friends of the FAD PAD!

Please come and join us on Sunday, April 14, from 10-4 for the FAD PAD 2nd EVER Work Party!
AND Toy and Book Giveaway


Come and see all the fruits of your love and labor you gave to The FAD PAD vegetable/fruit/herb and flower bed when you helped out on 10/22/23!

We will be creating a mural with paint on the new CT ( Composting Toilet) sections!
And doing other Spring cleaning around the yard.

Other ways to help out:
1. Greeting committee
Signing people in and giving them a name tag
2. Toy and Book Helper
3. Snack Table Helper
Keep the apples cut, water refilled and snacks replenished and maintaining limits
4. Clean Up Crew
Help out at the end of the day


WHAT TO BRING
Clothes for painting and working if you want to do that.
Work gloves- I have some for adults and kids
Water bottle
Lunch if you are here at that time
Snacks will be provided
Community Spirit!


WHEN TO COME
Drop in anytime from 10-4. Children and adults need to work for 1- 2 hours depending on your job, then you can hang out. Children need to come with an adult for that first hour.
Parents can then leave and let their children hang out and return within a couple of hours. Children that are not school age need to be with parents at all times.


Even if you cannot come, please think of us that day and see us some good vibes!
Many thanks for all the ways you support the FAD PAD and me!
Mary Ellen
510-219-3474
7548 Circle Hill Dr.,Oakland, CA 94605




heart arms star sun  moon  earth spiral

Oakland, California, USA, North American Continent, Earth, Solar System, Milky Way Galaxy, Universe
Mary Ellen Hill ~ Storyteller & Teacher
Telephone 510-219-3474
Email mehstories@netzero.com
Back to Top of Page