PROOFED
Art Beat: Summer camp programs
By Megan Hussey
[email protected]
If your child is a fan of the arts, then they may wish to devote their summer to discovering and honing their skills at dancing, singing, acting, modeling, art and cooking. Stir Up The Gift, a 501c-3 nonprofit organization in Spring Hill, is hosting “Fun and Arts Summer Camps” for kids ages 6-14. The camp will be held from June 6 – July 15 from 8 am to 5:30 pm. Stir Up The Gift is made up of highly skilled and recognized individuals who are willing to stir up the artistic gifts of area young people.
Talent Director of Stir Up The Gift Talent Melinda Crandle stated, “We can guarantee an awesome camp experience. Our camps will teach dancing/singing, acting, modeling, art & a kids cooking show! Out of 5 great weeks, choose 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 – but know that after attending 1 week – your kids will want them all!”
Week 1 of the camp, June 6-10, the “Song and Dance Camp” will allow campers to select a song they want to perform, honing their confidence and stage presence, lyrics, vocal techniques and scales. They will be coached on an individual and group basis to ensure a show-stopping showcase. Dancers will learn original jazz/hiphop/jazz/musical theater choreography, with the camp group performing at the end of the week “Singers and Dancers Talent Showcase.”
June 13-17, Week 2 of the camp focus will turn to green screen acting, video, and fun video and photo Shoots along with creative improv, monologues and scripts. Campers will create and perform scenes, selecting appropriate costuming and set designs for their productions. Scenes will be filmed, and all students will accrue knowledge of green screen filming and photography. Campers will choose daily themes and dress up in costumes to match the theme of the day, to achieve fun shoots.
June 20-24, modeling, fashion, photos and runway shows will be explored during week 3’s “Modeling Week.” Campers will dress up and strike a pose while learning about fashion/styling/walking/posing for photos and the fashion show runway. Campers can bring in their own fashionable attire and/or accessories for “Modeling Week,” or select from in-house fashions and costumes suited for individual styles. This week will feature multiple photoshoots, as well as an end of week runway show and slideshow.
June 27-July 1, Week 4 of the camp is “Arts and Crafts Week” and representatives of Do Me a Favah (personalized arts and crafts company) and other prominent arts and crafts instructors will teach and engage campers in cool arts and crafts projects. They will create original creative handiwork that will go on display at the end of the week, during an arts and crafts gallery activity.
July 11-15, Week 5 of the camp is “Taste It! Kids Cooking Show” and it will challenge campers to become junior chefs, learning to prepare foods, participate in tasting food challenges, prepare menus, learn to set and wait tables, clean kitchen and dining areas, participate in fun food scavenger hunts, games and more. The end of week showcase will encourage guests to enjoy dishes made and served by junior chefs.
Stir Up the Gift arts camps have become a tradition in the Hernando arts community. “Our first Summer Camp was held in 2013,” said Crandle. “This year will be 9 years. Wow, time flies!” And as the tradition continues, more junior artists and performers are stirring up their gifts, and to optimum effect. Crandle stated, “Last year’s Campers are coming back again! That says it all!!” The cost of the camp is $140 per week or $650 for the entire camp experience (prepaid). Breakfast and snacks are included in this price, campers can bring their lunches, or pay $6 a day to have lunch provided. Sibling discounts are available. Register for the Fun and Arts Camps with a deposit and pay the balance later at https://signup.com/go/LgPueMb. For information or questions, call the studio at 352-600-8983 or the studio cell at 813-823-6008.
