For most students in the Kawarthas, school’s out for the summer on Thursday, June 28th. That’s the last day of classes for elementary school students and the last day of exams for high school students. So, if you still haven’t registered your kids for summer camps, you’d better not delay any longer.
And if your kids are interested in the performing arts (or maybe you want them to try something new), you have to check out this year’s Creativity Camps at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in Peterborough.
The high-energy and interactive weekly camps, which begin on Monday, July 2nd and run to the end of August, will both entertain and educate your children in the areas of circus arts, theatre, dance, music, film, and more.
Chad Hogan, General Manager of the Market Hall, says the camps are designed to delight both novices as well as kids who already with some familiarity with the performing arts.
“There’s something for every child,” Hogan says. “There’s no experience or skill set necessary,”
For 20 years Market Hall has been offering Creativity Camps, instructed by local professional artists and teachers such as Peterborough Academy of Circus Arts creative director Thomas Vaccaro, musician and retired teacher Dan Fewings, filmmaker Brian Mitolo, and dance instructors Shannon Stanlick and Nicole Kelly,
“Many of them attended these camps when they were kids,” Hogan points out.
The instructors, who have many years’ experience directing summer camps, are assisted by a full-time teaching assistant who is present throughout the day.
The Creativity Camps are for kids between the ages of seven and 14, depending on the camp, with some camps offering versions for both younger and older children. The camps are a great way for children to increase their self-confidence while also making friends.
“Over the past few years, one of the biggest things that I’ve seen in children is their confidence levels (change),” says instructor Nicole Kelly.
“Once they’re in here for a couple of hours or by the second day, they seem like they’re at home and they’re comfortable. They make a lot of friends and they talk to people, and you get to see another side of them that they don’t necessarily always get to show.”
What makes the camps extra special is that the kids put on a performance at the end of the week for friends and family, so you can also experience and enjoy everything they’ve learned during the week.
“It’s my first year at an acting camp ever,” says one young participant, referring to her experience at one of the theatre camps. “It’s been really fun. Everybody has an equal part, everybody has a good moment.”
Summer 2018 Creativity Camp Schedule
Here is the 2018 Creativity Camp schedule. Follow the links below for fee information and to register for a specific camp.
For more information about the Creativity Camps and to download the registration form, visit markethall.org/our-events/creativity-camps/. Registration forms must be filled out for all campers prior to the camp start date.
Circus Extravaganza Camp with Thomas Vaccaro
July 2-6 (ages 7-10), July 9-13 (ages 9-14), August 27-31 (advanced class, ages 9-14)
In this week-long camp, students will learn the curriculum taught by Canada’s National Circus School!
Thomas Vaccaro, a graduate of the circus instructor/trainer program and creative director for the Peterborough Academy of Circus Arts, will be adapting the youth program taught by the ENC & Cirque du Soleil. The program focuses heavily on balance, acrobatics, aerials, and object manipulation, and uses games as a means to learn. No previous experience is necessary.
Circus arts are essential building blocks for developing self-esteem, physical fitness, good health, spatial awareness, and bringing your body and mind in harmony together.
Green Roof Theatre Camp with Dan Fewings
July 16-20 (ages 7-13), August 20-24 (ages 7-13)
The fabulous Green Roof Children’s Theatre camps are an established tradition of excellence working with children in a theatrically creative context.
The camps enable children to explore their imagination through theatre games, writing, music, movement, and masks.
My Movie Camp with Brian Mitolo
July 16-20 (ages 7-13), August 27-31 (ages 7-13)
Be a star in your own movie, learn to operate camera and edit, and learn to create special effects during this week-long movie-making camp. Lights, camera, action!
Note: due to the nature of the camp, each week-long session is limited to 10 participants.
Triple Threat Dance Camp with Shannon Stanlick
July 23-27 (ages 7-13)
Campers will combine acting, signing, and dancing onstage wnile receiving daily acting, singing, and dance training. They will also take part in a variety of choreographed and directed musical theatre numbers.
Each day, rehearsal and training will be intertwined with exciting camp games, activities, and crafts. Campers will also have the opportunity to choreograph and direct their very own musical theatre number.
The week culminates with the children starring in a magnificent musical theatre showcase that exhibits their newfound multiple talents.
Theatrical Experience
July 30 – August 3 and August 6-10 (ages 10-14)
In this two-week camp, 20 participants will work together to create an original production to be mounted at Market Hall.
In addition to their collective creation, campers will partake in specialized workshops including movement, vocal music, masks and mime, theatre production, story telling, puppetry, stage make-up, and technical design.
Using skills gained from the workshops, campers will become their very own theatre company — experiencing firsthand what it takes to put their hard work onstage.
Dance Factor with Nicole Kelly
August 13-17 (ages 8-14)
This week-long camp is designed for boys and girls to explore dance through creative movement.
Campers will not only explore jazz, hip hop, contemporary dance, ballet, musical theatre, and many more genres, but will learn also study how to become choreographers themselves.
