14 SUMMER ACTIVITY GUIDE 2021
PERFORMING ARTS CAMPS: THE SHOW MUST GO ON According to University of Rochester Medical Center, the brain does most of its developing from the ages of 3 to 25 years old, a time when most children are attending school, summer camps, and learning to grow together. The development of life skills like problem-solving and creative thinking are some of the important skills children learn during this period of growth. While traditional schooling provides a variety of life skills and fosters critical thinking, and traditional summer camps allow for fun and necessary social skills, performing arts camps help foster skills like creativity, self-confidence, and selfexpression, skills equally important in the development process. Performing arts camps provide some of these life skills through hands-on lessons that ask children to engage and come up with creative solutions on their own. Many times, children will be asked to improvise
and create with minimal resources at hand. This can be challenging for anyone to do, but with help and guidance, children who attend these camps can learn these skills and grow. Because these camps provide a space for children to use their imaginations and problem solve, other areas of life for these children are improved. In a study by the American Alliance for Theatre Education, it was discovered that children who attended performing arts camps recorded higher standardized test scores, improved reading comprehension, and maintained better attendance records than their counterparts. Every summer camp strives to aid in the child development process and has its strong points. Performing arts camps help focus on necessary life skills that often only they can provide, and many parents believe the same. A Harris Poll found that 93% of Americans consider the
arts to be vital to providing a wellrounded education, and a critical link to learning and success. Gallatin Valley is fortunate to offer a number of performing arts camps this summer to children ages 5 to 18. If your child is looking for a summer full of hands-on learning, creative thinking, and meeting children with similar interests, a performing arts camp could be the best option for a summer camp. Check out some of the camps being offered below!
Camp Equinox
For those ready to refine their acting and improvisation skills, Camp Equinox is offering four-week camps for students entering grades three through eight in two separate sessions this summer. Session one will take place June 14 through July 8, and session two July 19 through Aug. 12. For those interested in two entire months of learning from award-winning playwright’s and
camp directors Katie Goodman and Soren Kisiel, there is also an option to attend both sessions for a discounted price. The camp consists of jam-packed days, lasting from 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., full of activities for aspiring actors to work on their craft. Most days start with a morning meeting where the entire group gets together to enjoy short skits presented by other campers and begin the day with some laughs. After that, the work begins, with campers breaking into different groups by grade and beginning their morning workshops, taught by the talented Camp Equinox staff. After taking some time to enjoy their PB&J and Sun Chips for lunch, campers will get “directed free time” to work on a skit, join in a team sport, or work on a creative project. Most days will come to an end with organized rehearsals or special performances by guest artists.
