Theater Arts at Summer Camp

From sing-alongs to skits, sleepaway camp is full of activities that help kids grow creatively. 

In fact, many of today's actors and singers first got bitten by the entertainment bug at overnight summer camp. 

Whether you like to sing, dance, write, create costumes or build scenery, theater arts has a part for you to play.

Traditional sleepaway camps blend theater into the daily routine of camp. 

After all, evenings around the campfire are best when a little entertainment is thrown in, often songs or skits created and performed by campers. If you’re on the shy side, you may prefer to be the writer or director, coming up with funny dialogue or figuring out how your actors can best present a send-up on a facet of camp life, current event or historical figure.

A skit may just be a short scene, but a lot can be involved. Campers may get to design costumes, ferret out props or use construction skills to come up with a set. If dancing is involved, the scene will need some basic chorography. Skits are the perfect venue for letting campers work as a creative unit, with each piece contributing to the whole.

While often comedic, camp productions may also involve learning or may have a moral message. They may deal with issues like homesickness, fear of the water or bullying. Whatever the theme of the production, actors get to experience the joy of entertaining an audience and hearing the happy sound of applause.

Many camps have a special theater arts program as an elective activity. If you’ve ever wondered if you’d be good at acting, singing or even directing, it may be a life-changing experience to take this chance to get involved in an actual production. You’ll learn about how to write, direct and act in a play, and perhaps even a bit about auditions and how to proceed if you decide to try out for parts in local or school theatrical productions after you get home from camp.

Theater arts productions may also be interconnected with other camp programs. Camp music participants may play an instrument or sing in a skit, while kids in the camp workshop may get to help design and build sets. It’s a great way to try out a whole new experience in a place where you’ll have the support of trained counselors and a whole new group of friends.

Putting on a skit or mini-production is a great team builder and kids really get to learn how to work with others, honing cooperative and leadership skills and building self-esteem. 

You’ll get to experience the organization required to pull off a successful performance and learn the importance of all the different facets from memorizing lines to being on-time for rehearsals. 

Kids trying out directing a skit will have the sometimes challenging and always interesting experience of working cooperatively with actors to best present the material.

Being involved in theatrical performances builds confidence, and camp is the perfect place to try out this new endeavor. You may be surprised to find you have a real flair for comedy, can write quick-witted dialogue or know just how to pace a scene to get the most laughs.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain setting. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. http://www.campwalt.com.

Crafts Are Geared for Each Age and Skill Level at Sleepaway Summer Camp

Arts and crafts are a big hit at overnight summer camp, where youngsters get creative with everything from pottery wheels to sewing machines and skill saws.

Because of the wide range of ages and skills at most camps, arts and crafts programs are divided up into age groups with younger campers creating colorful collages, hand-sculpted pieces and fun crafts like sand candles, while older kids are often able to use more sophisticated artistic media and woodworking tools.

Whatever the age, arts and crafts activities at overnight sleepaway camp foster a spirit of camaraderie and creativity, with young artists excitedly chatting as they work on visual arts projects.

Crafts
Good old fashioned craft projects are a time-honored summer camp tradition, and many adults wistfully recall sitting around long picnic tables on sultry afternoons surrounded by loads of friends, paper, paint, glue, craft embellishments and laughter.

From friendship bracelets to wind chimes, God's eyes, tie-dye T-shirts and personalized tote bags, camp crafts often become treasured memorabilia of long, lively days on the lake.

Drawing and Painting
Kids of all ages love to create landscapes, portraits, caricatures and abstract works of art. Camp art classes use a variety of mediums including ink, colored pencils, water colors and acrylic paints. While younger kids may just enjoy some free form designs and basic color concepts, older campers may receive more advanced instruction in perspective, color and design.

Ceramics
Ceramics, from free-form clay designs to pottery wheel masterpieces, lends itself to all sorts of cool creations, from bowls to vases, animal sculptures, refrigerator magnets and nature tiles. Younger campers love to hand sculpt and paint everything from flower pots to name tags. Use of a pottery wheel is usually reserved for older campers who can better learn wheel throwing technique and use of glazes and stains, enabling them to design and create a wealth of projects including bowls, plates and mugs.

Jewelry
Not only is creating jewelry fun, but necklaces, bracelets and earrings make great gifts and wearable memorabilia of happy days at camp. Little kids love to string beads, put sparkle on just about everything and weave friendship bracelets, while more advanced skills may involve use of wire wrapping and more intricate aesthetic designs.

Woodworking
Today's tech-savvy kids seem to love the old-fashioned skills of wood working. When starting out, kids can make boats and toys by gluing Popsicle sticks together, then later learn such basic skills as measuring and cutting wood in a straight line or designing a simple project.

As they progress, campers learn how to safely use basic hand tools to design and create personalized projects ranging from chess sets to salad bowls, toys and birdhouses. Senior campers often get the opportunity to use power tools including band saws and drills to build more advanced projects

Art Show
Lots of sleepaway camps wind up a summer of amazing creativity with a camp-wide art show, giving kids the opportunity to show off a season's work to family and friends. You'll be amazed at the wonderful works of art your child has produced and delighted with the joy and excitement he or she has found in the creative process.

If you're considering sending your child to an overnight summer camp, be sure to visit our site to learn about Camp Walt Whitman. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camp Walt Whitman offers a safe, nurturing environment in a beautiful mountain settings. Our camp is a coed sleepaway camp, with separate areas for boys and girls. The kids have a blast, and make friendships that can last a lifetime. http://www.campwalt.com.

Learning Ceramics at Sleepaway Summer Camp

Among the many great things about sleepaway camp are that there is a variety of new activities kids can take part in. This lends itself to the idea that while not all kids are interested in climbing a rock wall or playing sports, they can all have fun.

This is especially true when it comes to learning about new mediums of art, specifically ceramics. Ceramics are not usually an activity the average child can take part in, but at overnight summer camp it is part of the normal activities offered all season long.

Ceramic art is great because it is different, engages creativity in a new way, and will serve as a great memory for when the summer is over and it is time to go home.

Ceramic art Serves as a Bridge Toward the Arts

Many times, children who are not as creatively inclined will lean away from the arts because the concept of creating something from nothing is simply unappealing. With ceramics, the canvas (or model) has already been built; now it is time to add color.

This is great because for those interested in karate, they may find a great sculpture of a martial artist doing a spinning heel kick. A camper who has a parent with a great garden may find something to bring home as a gift.

While those who are naturally artistic will also enjoy ceramics, they will find the added bonus of making friends with "non-art-kids" when they engage in this activity, because they will find some common ground.

Making Friends Through art

Fine art has been a part of the mainstream for as long as anyone can remember, so there is no shortage of people who will meet up because of their love for crafting pictures and sculptures. However, ceramics is different because it brings people together from both sides of the spectrum.

It may happen over a rainy day when the basketball courts are closed, or on a whim. Regardless, many great friendships (and great works of art) have been created at overnight summer camp in this way.

In fact, that's what happened to a former camper named Terry Bollette. Terry was a shy boy who had a lot of trouble adjusting to his first week at sleepaway camp. He was a pleasant boy with a kind demeanor, but he missed home badly.

The camp counselors were about to call it quits and let his parents know that he may need to be picked up (it was an extreme case), but that all changed when he went into the ceramics room and found a sculpture of two men wrestling.

He found himself there all day, and when he was done many of the kids were impressed. And he has been impressing them ever since!

The Legacy of Terry Bollette

Many people know this young boy today as Hulk Hogan. While it's hard to think that he was a troubled camper in his youth since he has dedicated his life to the fearless pursuit of excellence, the truth is that the path to being a champion has many speed bumps.

However, these bumps in the road can be smoothed out by overcoming adversity one season at a time.

Professional Swimming Instruction for Any Skill Level at Camp

Professional swimming instruction is one of the most important components of a good sleepaway camp. And, since overnight summer camps are usually centered around lakes and pools, the sport of swimming takes on a whole new dimension of fun, from swimming the length of the lake to morning polar bear swims and just-for-fun races.

Knowing how to swim is not only a lifelong skill and pleasure, but also keeps your child safe around the water wherever he or she may be, whether boating, at the beach or simply walking down a dock. Everyone should know how to swim, and kids at sleepaway camp have a lot of fun learning in a safe and friendly environment. With plenty of patience, perseverance and of course practice, any youngster can be a good swimmer.

Lakes are an amazing center of fun at camp, offering incredible varieties of water sports, so it's especially important that youngsters are safe around the water. Campers may learn to swim in lake waters, but many camps prefer using heated pools to take the chill off that early morning swim class. Most sleepaway camps use the traditional standards of the American Red Cross to encourage kids to have a good time in the water and learn to swim using proper techniques.

Generally, camp swimming classes are divided into groups based on ability, from beginners to advanced, giving kids the confidence-building opportunity of moving up in the ranks. Small class sizes are a great way for campers to learn more quickly, and earning a spot in the next level is always a thrilling moment. For many kids, the first time they swim the length of the pool without touching the bottom or stopping at the side is a big moment!

All kids, even returning swimmers, are usually tested at the beginning of camp, as swimming skills may have changed during the year. After an assessment, kids are placed in one of the camp's established swim levels and allowed to progress at their own pace. Tell your child not to be upset if he or she is moved "down" a level at the beginning of camp in order to review some skills. The review may be considered necessary in order to help your camper get more confident and better prepared to move to the next level. Often, campers are also tested at camp's start for safety in deep water. Classes not only teach new skills and refine old ones, but they can also help young swimmers eliminate bad habits that slow down progress at later stages.

Most basic skills would include water adjustment and pre-stroke skills for beginners. Kids then progress through basic stroke instruction, stroke development, stroke refinement and skill proficiency. When they reach upper levels, more of an emphasis is placed on technique and competition. Kids can also learn advanced water safety and self-rescue.

Safety is the number one priority of most overnight summer camp swimming programs, and instructors strive to consistently create a safe, confidence-building environment for every skill level of swimmer. Most camp swim instructors are certified lifeguards with CPR training.

When it comes to swimming safety comes first in summer camp. Your kids can enjoy the benefits of sleepaway summer camp at Camp Walt Whitman in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Learn more at http://www.campwalt.com

Learn How to Do Woodworking at Summer Day Camp

It seems today that all you see are kids playing video games and watching TV. It can be discouraging, especially since there is little long-term value in these kinds of activities.

While many parents fret over the idea of their growing children leaving home to go to a sleepaway camp, the truth is that overnight summer camp experiences are not only great for building incredible memories and lasting friendships, but they also encourage kids to develop fundamental skills.

Among these skills is woodworking.

Safety Comes First

The primary concern for counselors is safety.

When woodworking, children learn that there is nothing more important than being safe. This includes eye and ear protection at all times, adult supervision, and always adhering to the safety rules that are in place.

The best part of these activities is that the children learn to work with their hands and their minds, gaining a better understanding of the kind of work that requires one's mind and body, as opposed to just their thumbs.

More Than Just a Digital Creation

In a world full of Warcraft and Minecraft kids are getting very good at building things that are intangible. That's not going to be the case when they go to camp and get into woodworking.

Rather than unlocking a fake world full of things that are not real, they are going to learn to make something that they can actually touch and feel. This can include birdhouses, toy cars, or even a shed.

One summer camp group took part in creating a gazebo that is still in use today and others took part in a project that built sheds donated to families who had suffered from Hurricane Sandy.

The beauty and wonder that comes with working with one's hands can go a long way, and the skills will not only last, but will help them when they graduate into the next phase of their lives.

The Lasting Effects of Woodworking

The truth is that most of the children who attend overnight summer camp will not become life-long laborers. The skills and confidence they develop through their adolescence leads them to be more suited for positions of authority.

However, learning to woodwork assists in this development. Not only does it help with such skills as spacial recognition (understanding the dimensions of objects) and math (measuring in inches and centimeters, and using fractions), but it also encourages them to realize that they can rely on themselves to create things.

It may sound odd, but creating something as simple as a bird feeder. or whittling chess pieces. will give one the confidence he needs to see that he can create complex and simple objects, as well as systems. Lastly, by learning to use tools, kids grow in their basic knowledge, which will help them later on.

While it's true that sleepaway camp is not the only place to learn woodworking, it is nice to know that while your children are away they will be doing constructive work and learning in a fun and useful way. This, combined with incredible memories and lasting friendships, will lead to a better quality of life.          

How to Avoid Homesickness While at Summer Camp

Most kids who go away to summer camp for the first time experience at least a little bit of homesickness.

It’s perfectly natural, and sleepaway camp counselors are well-trained in the fine art of helping kids ease past the initial adjustment and really get into the fantastic swing of summer camp fun.

There are, however, some ways in which you can help your child adjust more quickly to being away from home for the first time.

Being homesick at camp is just a part of growing up, and your child will be emotionally stronger at summer’s end. Very few children, less than one percent, actually end up being taken home from summer camp.

Is Your Child Ready?
Every child is different, but often around eight or nine they’re ready for a week or two of sleepaway camp. When your child is happy to go to sleepovers at a friend’s house or is asking about going away to camp, he or she is probably ready to spend some of the summer away at camp.

Let Your Child Help Pick a Camp
Whether they’ve heard great reviews from a friend, seen exciting camp websites or even read a book where the character is at overnight summer camp, it’s helpful to let your youngster lead the way in picking a camp. Your child will feel empowered by having been a part of the decision. Keep in mind that camps with loads of activities that appeal to your child allow far less time to be homesick. Children who feel forced to attend a camp they fear they won’t like are more likely to be homesick.

When It’s Time to Say Goodbye
Keep drop-off casual and upbeat, and don’t drag out the goodbyes. Going to summer camp is a happy event, and it’s important for parents to stay composed and calm. Most of all, never tell that you’ll come and get them if they’re homesick. It undermines their confidence and implies they aren’t emotionally strong enough to be away from home. Help them unpack a bit, meet their counselor and then go home.

Don’t Call Them
Even if your child’s camp allows calls, it’s best to confine your correspondence to letters. After all, phone calls may let slip that you are actually “home sick” for your child, and the sound of your voice may make your child’s homesickness worse. Letter-writing has become somewhat of a lost art, and a good camp will only encourage letters back and forth to home. Some families pre-address and pre-stamp envelopes to encourage their camper to correspond.

Encourage Your Child to Stay Busy
Encourage your child to get involved in as many camp activities as he or she can squeeze into a day. They busier anyone is, the less time they have to dwell on feelings of homesickness. If these sad feelings seem to be interfering with enjoyment of fun camp activities, your child should talk to his or her camp counselor.

Getting Over Homesickness Boosts Self-Esteem
If your child arrives at camp with some good practice overnights away from home and an understanding that some homesickness is perfectly normal, he or she will know what to think and do if they start to feel a bit homesick, and being able to overcome these feelings will boost their self-confidence and self-esteem.

Learn How to Play a Variety of Sports at Summer Camp

One of the most fun-filled and exciting parts of sleepaway camp is learning all kinds of new sports. Although lots of kids have been involved in athletic programs like T-ball, soccer, recreational basketball and swimming lessons since they were little, summer camp exposes them to a wealth of new sports and also lets them play familiar ones in a more relaxed environment. Summer camp emphasizes fun over winning; so kids can just chill out on the playing fields and have a blast.