Welcome packet k 5

FAQs FOR GRADES 1 – 5 What do the kids do at Drama Camp?

Campers take classes in Acting, Playwriting, Singing, and Dance/Movement. They rotate specialty areas that are taught by Arden Professional Teaching Artists, with additional support provided by college-level Education Interns. There is a lunch break for each group in the middle of the day and an afternoon snack each day. There are also design and craft classes sprinkled throughout the day as well.

Who are Arden Professional Teaching Artists?

An Arden Professional Teaching Artist is an artist who works in Philadelphia as an actor, singer, director, music director, dancer/choreographer or theatre instructor. They have been selected because of their commitment to theatre education, and their talent in the specific areas they teach.

Are the campers grouped by age?

Mostly, yes. Campers are divided according to age and they travel with that group to each class each day. Each group works together on creating an original theatre piece based on the theme of the camp session. However, there are times when classes will be combined for group singing and dance numbers, and it will span all grades (1 – 5).

Is there a show on the final day?

There is a presentation in the afternoon on the final day of camp. Campers will perform an original play that includes a scripted scene, dance, songs, and a display of design elements.

Friends and family are welcome to come to the presentation. There is no admission cost.

Do you provide lunch and/or a snack?

No. Lunch and snack are NOT provided. Nor is food available for purchase on-site in the Hamilton Family Arts Center or Arden Theatre Company. We ask that you send both a lunch and an afternoon snack with your child each day that does NOT need to be refrigerated or heated up.

My child is allergic to nuts or some other kind of food, how do you deal with this?

We ask all parents to provide a COMPLETE list of foods to which the child is allergic. On the first day of camp, we ask that the parents go over all information at check-in. This information should include instructions for what to do if a child has an allergic reaction, including up to three emergency contacts. If necessary, please provide an EpiPen with the instructions. The EpiPen and directions will be labelled and remain stationed at the check-in table, to be at the ready should it need to be used. At lunch time, all campers are required to wash their hands before they eat. Counselors check each lunch of the children sitting at the child’s table and move people accordingly. After lunch, all campers again must wash their hands.

SUMMER CAMP DRESS CODE  Wear clothes that are comfortable and easy to move in.  Please wear closed toes shoes! Sneakers are best! No flip-flops or open toe sandals – you will be taking a dance class every day.  The Hamilton Family Arts Center classrooms are air conditioned, so you may want to bring a sweatshirt in case you get chilly.  You do not have to wear your camp shirt everyday – although you can if you want to! We do ask that you wear it for presentation day, in addition to any costume pieces you might make at camp and/or bring from home.

OTHER HELPFUL REMINDERS:  It is fine to carry a water bottle around with you. If you do so, please make sure it is clearly labeled with your name (even if it is a store bought water bottle).  Label all lunch boxes or any other food storage containers with your name cleared marked.

DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP PROCEDURES 

On the first day of camp please park and come check-in your child so we can meet you!

Metered parking available on 2nd, Arch, and 3rd Streets for 50 cents, per 15 minutes.

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For your convenience, there are two options available for pick up at the end of the day: 1. Pick Up by Public Transportation or Walking: If you are using public transportation or walking to pick up your child, please come to the Hamilton Family Arts Center, located at 62 N. 2nd Street, where camp is held.

2. Pick Up by Car: If you are driving, please come to the Arden Theatre Company, located at 40 N. 2nd Street. Take a right onto Filbert Street (the cobblestone road between the Arden and Christ Church garden) and line up alongside the building. You can stay in your car and a camp staff member will bring out your child after you provide the personalized password verifying that you’re authorized for pick up (please see “Pick Up Authorization Form – Summer 2016”). Please see the map indicating your exit route.

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For Extended Day students, we ask that you pick up your child up at the Hamilton Family Arts Center (62 N. 2nd Street).

PICK UP/RELEASE AUTHORIZATION FORM Child or Children’s Name(s):

_________________________________________________

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Name(s): _________________________________________________

PASSWORD RELEASE Please select a password that can be easily remembered by any persons authorized to pick up your child(ren). This word acts as a point of security when releasing your child(ren) to a non-legal guardian.

PASSWORD: _______________________________

OTHER PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD(REN) If there are people other than the parents/guardians listed above who have permission to pick up your children, please list them below. Please note we will only release your child(ren) to persons listed unless we have written permission to do otherwise. Please advise all authorized pick up persons that Arden staff may ask for photo identification.

Name

Relationship

Phone Number

If there are specific persons who are not authorized to pick your child(ren) up please list them below. The Summer Camp Director will contact you for details which will remain confidential.

Name

Relationship

Phone Number

PICK UP METHOD Please select which method you will be using to pick up your child: In Person at the Hamilton Family Arts Center (62 N. 2nd Street) Via Car at the Arden Theatre Company (40 N. 2nd Street, Filbert Alley)

Signature of Parent/Guardian: _________________________________________________

Date: _____________________