Mary Ellen Hill ~ Storyteller & Teacher

mary ellen hill FAD PAD mary ellen hill FAD PAD mary ellen hill FAD PAD mary ellen hill FAD PAD

mary ellen hill storyteller logo
Logo created by Paloma Mood, FAD PAD Student, age 10.


FAD PAD Fun Art & Drama

Mary Ellen's FAD PAD SUMMER CAMPS 2025

OUR 15th FAD PAD Season of Summer Fun!

To find out how Mary Ellen keeps the FAD PAD safe and fun- please click the FAD PAD Safety Guidelines tab.



mary ellen hill puppets and pie camp

FAD (Fun Art and Drama) + PAD (Mary Ellen's home studio) = lots of exciting, creative and innovative summer camps, classes and more!


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

Supporting children's creativity, joy and love of Earth for over 30 years!

   newThis is what kids say about FAD PAD Summer camps...

                   "Here we go to the best camp of the summer!!"
                   "Last night she said- I cannot wait to go to Fairy Camp!"
                   "He got up earlier than usual and said can we go to camp now?"
                   "He asked us- this camp is all summer, isn't it? I hope!!"
                   "Our daughter has had an amazing week (best camp of the summer, she says!).
                   Thank you so much for all the fun, creativity and love. We are so lucky to know you!"



The FAD PAD is my home studio created for Fun, Art and Drama! A designated place for your child to enjoy a wide variety of playshops/classes and camps. From cooking, gardening, drama, fairy lore, cooperative games, hand sewing, embroidery, Harry Potter to science!

The FAD PAD is located in my big back yard where there are many magical areas to explore. From climbing Bob, the loquat tree, to vegetable and herb gardens to the enchanted and forbidden forests to the hammock.

The playshops/classes and camps are for K-6th graders. In order to foster fun and give attention to all children, I take 8 children only. Reservations are required. All art, gardening, and cooking supplies are included in the fees.

"When I asked my girls what their favorite part of their summer was they said "going to Mary Ellen's camps!" They cannot wait to come back." Mom of a 6 & 8 year old

"Thanks you and the "great work" you do with children in your magic forest and garden. What a boundless gift you offer these girls and boys! It seems to me you're changing their lives in important ways." College Professor

      mary ellen hill FAD PAD       mary ellen hill FAD PAD       mary ellen hill FAD PAD       mary ellen hill FAD PAD
mary ellen hill FAD PAD mary ellen hill FAD PAD mary ellen hill FAD PAD mary ellen hill FAD PAD
mary ellen hill FAD PAD mary ellen hill FAD PAD mary ellen hill FAD PAD mary ellen hill FAD PAD

"You are the only place my girls can explore Harry Potter books! This is so important to them that they can act out their favorite books!" Mom of an 8 and a 13 year old

"I fell so relaxed knowing my child is with you. She always tells us about the great activities she does and the fun kids she plays with each day. Thank you!" Mom of 7 year old






Fad Pad Summer Camps 2025

All camps are Monday - Friday from 9:30 to 3:30.
K-5th graders with 8 children maximum and 4 minimum. $500 Each Camp.

Location: Edwards Ave. Exit off HW 580 in Oakland, CA.

YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR ONE STARWITZ AND ONE FAIRY CAMP

YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR BOTH BOT BOT CAMPS


Session 1: June 2-6:   + Starwitz : Harry Potter Camp

Session 2: June 9-13:   + Starwitz : Harry Potter Camp

Session 3: June 16-20:   + Starwitz : Harry Potter Camp

This summer we will cover Book 5 : "Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix".  Delving into the magical
and imaginary realm of witches and wizards through art, play and drama. Some of
the activities include: wands and spell work; the Sorting Hat, Hogsmeade, creating a patronus, attending the DA
and the Department of Mysteries quest. Headmistress ME has been a Harry Potter fan since 1997!


NO CAMP July 7-11

Session 4: June 30-July 4:   +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 July 7-11

Session 5: July 14-18:   + Fairy Camp

Session 6: July 21-25:   + Fairy Camp

Calling all fairy fans! Flower and tree fairies await your arrival! Campers will make fairy houses using boxes, paper, wood, fabric, natural
items, and more. 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 28-Aug. 1

Session 7: Aug 4-8:   + 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 sun tea each day.
On Friday, the 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 11-15:   + 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!



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 2025 FAD PAD Release form you need to fill out and return.

CANCELLATION POLICY FOR CAMPS: November 12-March 7: Receive half tuition refund. March 8- May 10: Receive a quarter of tuition refund. After May 11: 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 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 5 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. VENMO $500 (Venmo may charge a fee) on your phone. I am listed as Mary Ellen Hill @ MaryEllen-Hill.
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. Zelle (Just add my name to the request)


5. Paypal  Slightly higher fee of $520. Thank you.

FAD PAD Summer Camps 2025



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