Summer Arts Camps Offer Opportunities to Try New Crafts and Learn New Skills

"So You Think You Can Dance" and "Dancing with the Stars," two popular reality television shows, have influenced popular culture to the extent that interest in dance has soared among young people.

Parents evaluating summer camps for their children would do well to consider a dance or other arts camp as an excellent alternative to the more traditional camping, swimming, hiking options. Young people with an interest or talent in the performing or fine arts can benefit from exploring their passion further in the company of like-minded peers or even venture beyond their usual artistic niche to experiment with something different. Perhaps a budding actress could take a sculpture class, or a shy artist could go for it and sign up for a vocal technique session.

The array of choices in arts camps includes country retreats with multiple offerings in painting, sculpture, dance, singing and drama, to big city urban dance camps for adolescents who have already taken years of class. No hiking on that schedule, but there are trips to the beach or to a live performance.

An acting camp can allow campers to try on new identities; take on unfamiliar challenges in a supportive environment with other young people and dedicated instructors. They'll discover new talents and make new, perhaps life-long, friends. If they're attending a camp that combines sports with the arts, they can stretch both their physical and mental muscles. After all, acting is both a mind and body endeavor; and many athletes take dance classes for better body control and limberness.

A dance camp can be as low key as accepting all girls with a desire to dance to one that requires auditions and provides campers with head shots and performance videos when they leave. The choice is a personal one and there is a camp for every child and for just about any budget.

Arts focused camps also strengthen leadership skills and teach personal responsibility. A camper's day includes getting up on time for breakfast and other morning activities. As well, she is called upon to sign up for classes - and then show up. If her team is working on choreography or learning lines, she needs to do her best to create an excellent dance routine or one-act play. If her assignment is to complete a certain number of drawings at an art camp, then that is her personal benchmark of maturity for the summer. Even making sure she dons the correct camp apparel for her activity is an exercise in self-management.

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