Florida has long been a special destination for those seeking an escape from winter. Year after year, travelers journey south in search of endless coastal beaches, hidden waterways, and warm subtropical weather. Among them were shiny metal and steel campers and RVs, carrying nomadic adventurers who helped establish a long-running love affair with the Sunshine State.
At Saint Andrew’s School, a private college-preparatory day and boarding school in the heart of Boca Raton, that history of the humble “little camper” hasn’t gone unnoticed. Ron Garrett, an instructor in the school’s Visual Arts Department, designed simple paper templates that could be traced, cut out, scored, and folded together to form the teardrop shape of a typical camper. These templates served only as starting points, leaving students free to explore their own creative vision with a wide range of results.
The assignment, called HAPPY CAMPERS, was introduced to studio foundation classes, mostly 9th and 10th graders. Students researched manufactured trailer campers dating back to the 1940s, then selected one for inspiration as the basis of their paper sculpture design. Whether it was a classic Airstream, a Shasta, or a mysterious, lesser-known model, the project quickly sparked enthusiasm. To Mr. Garrett’s delight, students shared techniques, encouraged each other, and developed a sense of pride, craftsmanship, and accomplishment.
In the end, the “little campers” embodied more than just humor and hard work—they carried with them a touch of true Americana.
