3 years ago
WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) - There's a summer day camp where counselors take young children through a flurry of activities that stretch their imaginations while boosting their self-esteem. Their journey begins every morning in a field of dreams. And by the end of the day, they leave creatively challenged and always wanting more.
"I love the experience. It's just a nice place to be in the summer." Taylor Richard is having his ultimate summer experience at a camp that's like no other. Camp Arena Stage, a multi-arts summer program, is where you'll find nearly 150 young people tuning in and having fun in the arts. "Singing, dancing, art - this camp does all of it." "I wanted to come back so bad. I thought it was fun!" "A lot of people who come here don't realize that they have artistic talent and it allows them to just channel that in a constructive medium." It doesn't matter if that medium is in the form of music, dance or impromptu improvisation, the goal is the same - to give future artists a forum to freely express and explore their creative juices. "You really get to express your imagination. You really get to show the world what you can do." Camp Director Anita Maynard-Losh gets almost as much enjoyment as the campers.
"I really appreciate the joy factor in their lives - the fact that they can discover that they can do things that they might not have thought that they could. They can see the pleasure they can get out of expressing themselves in new and different ways." Everyday at noon, aspiring Broadway-bound 8 to 15 year olds take to center stage to showcase their budding talents. "We like to support people even if what they do may not be the best performance ever. But the fact that they've been brave enough to get up there and try it is something that we really, really support and applaud." "Even if these campers don't grow up to be professional artists themselves, they will see the world in a different way. Perhaps be a little bit more creative in their problem solving and have richer and fuller life because of their involvement in the arts." Campers say they can't wait until next summer. This is the second year Arena Stage has sponsored the camp. The cost of tuition is $1600.
The camp director tells 9News that 24 of the 148 students received full scholarships to attend the four-week camp this year.
Written by Stephanie Wilson
