Camp Activities

Ages 8-12

Hip-Hop Dance – Ansley

This hip-hop class will energize your body from head to toe. Hip-hop dance emphasizes movements that are exciting, creative, and oftentimes reflective of pop culture. Each class consists of three sections: a warm-up, an across the floor combination and a dance routine. Feel the beat and, most importantly, have fun!

Pop Band – Juan Pablo

Experience the creative rush when musicians get together to play. Campers will jam, learn new songs, develop stage presence, and rock out as a band. This Daily is for instrumentalists with some experience. All instruments and voices welcome. 

Movie Styles – Morgan 

Action, comedy, drama, fantasy, epic: with so many types of movies, why just pick one kind?  That's why in this Daily, each week we will learn about and recreate a specific movie style or “genre,” voted on by the class!

Creature Creation - Maggy

Do animals interest you? Have you imagined mythical or fantastical creatures? In this Daily we will make art using all kinds of materials inspired by all types of creatures, both real and imaginary.

Session 2 Only: Acting: Scene Study

You’ve got the part! Work with your fellow actors to play a variety of parts in scenes. Learn about teamwork and the techniques that top actors use to transform into different characters.

Session 3 Only: Sounds of the Future – Wes

Electronic music, sound effects, soundscapes, and more! Get introduced to the wide world of making music and sounds on the computer. We'll do field recordings and learn how to sample what we find, creating never-before-heard sounds on our tracks!

Ages 8-15

Newspaper - Skye

Interview campers! Snap a photo! Doodle a cartoon! Together we’ll come up with a name for the paper, the stories we want to report, and the best way to capture all of the things that go on around camp.

Ages 12-15

A Capella Pop Favorites – Madeline

Who needs instruments when you’ve got a “pitch perfect” ensemble of singers? Learn to harmonize in 2-3 parts, provide percussion, hold your own part, and work as a tight ensemble as you sing a cappella arrangements of songs.

Improvisation – Dave

Learn the basics of creating theater in the moment and explore a world of unscripted playtime. Though games and the power of saying “Yes and…” to others’ ideas, try out characters, imagine environments, and work with fellow campers to improvise scenes.  

Movie Trailers – Smeeta

Coming this summer! If you go to the movies and the trailers are your favorite part, this Daily is made for you. Learn the basics of pre-production, production, and post-production to produce movie trailers that will be ready to be shown at a Camp Arena Stage near you!

Design^TM  - Chloe

Are you a fan of stickers and buttons? Do you decorate your notebook covers and make the best birthday cards ever? If so, this surface design daily might be for you. In Design™, we’ll use the elements of design to create a unique collection of hand-decorated items!

Ages 8-12

Folktales & Film – Smeeta

Let’s go on a trip! In this Daily, we will explore timeless folktales from all around the world and re-imagine these stories for the big screen. You might become inspired to design a set for a legendary land, create a costume for a mythical creature, or have the opportunity to act as your new favorite superhero. The sky's the limit with these bite-sized stories! 

Acting: Make a Play! – Skye

Calling all aspiring playwrights and actors! Let your creativity shine and your imagination run wild as we make a play together. We’ll choose a story to create or reimagine and work together to write, rehearse, and perform our own 10-minute play.

Showstoppers Choir – Madeline

A showstopper is a song that gets so much applause it stops a show. In this choir, learn famous musical theater songs. We’ll sing melodies and harmonies, creating numbers that are sure to be Noontime Show showstoppers.

Acting: Shakespeare – Mauricio

Comedy! Tragedy! History! William Shakespeare wrote many different types of plays, and people still love them centuries later. We’ll delve into the world of Shakespeare and have fun learning how to act scenes from his plays by exploring physical movement and language.

Painting – Chloe

Mix, brush, smear, spread, splatter! We will explore different painting styles and media, such as watercolor and acrylic, and learn skills to create our own masterpieces! This Daily is perfect for anyone looking to express their imagination in paint.

Ages 12-15

On Broadway – Kayla

Are you ready to let your inner star shine? In this singing and dancing class, we’ll create a polished group performance of your favorite showtunes. By the end of this class, you’ll be ready to take on the biggest and best numbers from the Broadway stage as a dancer, singer, and actor.

Sculpture - Maggy

Get ready to get (kind of) messy! A sculpture is a piece of art that you make by carving, shaping or putting things together. Using materials like cardboard, paper mâché, and found objects we’ll create 3-D art that can stand on its own.

Rock Band – Juan Pablo

Experience the creative rush when musicians get together to play. We will jam, learn new songs, develop stage presence and rock out as a band. This Daily is for instrumentalists with some experience. All instruments and voices welcome.

Session 1 Only: Devised Theater

Instead of starting with a script, devised theater starts with the actors in the room and their ideas. Learn how to create evocative, ensemble performance pieces using movement, poetry, and personal writing. Arena Stage is nationally and internationally renowned for its devised work and Voices of Now program.

Session 2 Only: Acting Scene Study

You’ve got the part! Work with your fellow actors to play a variety of parts in scenes. Learn about teamwork and the techniques that top actors use to transform into different characters. Find authenticity and meaningful connections with your scene partners on stage.

Session 3 Only: Writing for the Stage - Wes

What's the play YOU want to see at Arena Stage in the future? As playwrights, we'll find our own voices through the characters and situations we create, whether it's a Shakespearean tragedy or a slapstick comedy set on Mars. Then, we'll get to see our work come to life as we act out each other’s plays!

Ages 8-12

Jewelry Making – Skye

Express yourself with beaded jewelry. Make wearable works of art with string, wire, and beads, starting with simple bracelets and advancing to more complex jewelry.

Acting – Dave

Have you ever pictured yourself in a play? In this Daily, you will learn about teamwork and the acting tools you can use to become different characters and perform on stage! We will learn to work with a script by rehearsing and performing scenes with our fellow actors.

Sing Around the World - Madeline

Travel around the world in music this summer. In this choir, learn fun traditional pieces from a variety of cultures and countries around the world. We’ll learn songs in English and other languages.

Point of Interview - Morgan

From morning shows to the daily news, broadcast journalism is everywhere.  Learn the proper way to research, conduct, and create camera and light setups for interviews.  Learn what it takes to create information-filled, entertaining news clips to keep all of CAS informed of what’s going on at camp!

On Broadway – Kayla

Are you ready to let your inner star shine? In this singing and dancing class, we’ll create a polished group performance of your favorite showtunes. By the end of this class, you’ll be ready to take on the biggest and best numbers from the Broadway stage as a dancer, singer, and actor.

Ages 12-15

Musical Theater Dance – Ansley

In musicals, when a character can’t express themselves in words, they sing. When singing isn’t enough, it’s time for a dance break! In this dance class, explore different styles of musical theater dance and learn show-stopping ensemble dance numbers. This Daily does not include singing.

Docu Shorts – Smeeta

The world is rich with stories that need to be told. See the world like a filmmaker and choose people, ideas, and other things you care about to make short documentaries. Sometimes truth is stranger, deeper, or more powerful than fiction.

Tiny Art/Giant Art – Maggy

Let's take sculpture to a new level! We will plan and create miniatures - and also MAXimatures! We will work with familiar as well as new materials while experimenting with scale and proportion.

Acting Technique – Mauricio

Want to explore being a serious actor? Learn how to use objectives, obstacles and tactics to create realistic performances. You’ll analyze and perform scenes from modern and contemporary plays and learn to create honest and believable characters in given circumstances. 

Ages 8-12

Improvisation – Dave

Learn the basics of creating theater in the moment, and explore a world of unscripted playtime. Through fun group games, try out characters, imagine environments, and work with fellow campers to improvise scenes!

Disney Medley – Kayla

Ready to journey into the Unknown? Come sing and dance your hearts out to your favorite Disney songs! You will learn music and choreography to group numbers from various musicals like Encanto, Frozen, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Moana, and many more! We don’t talk about Bruno, but we do talk about the magic of Disney!

Tiny Art/Giant Art - Maggy

Let's take sculpture to a new level! We will plan and create miniatures - and also MAXimatures! We will work with familiar as well as new materials while experimenting with scale and proportion.

Surprise Squad – Kim

Shhh…The Surprise Squad is shrouded in mystery and cloaked in awesomeness. In this beloved Camp Arena Stage Daily, take part in one of the greatest arts: planning and practicing acts of art and kindness for our camp community and others.

Ages 10-15

Ukulele & Singing – Juan Pablo

Are you a singer who wants an easy way to accompany yourself? Good news! CAS can teach you how to play this Hawaiian instrument. This relaxing and fun class will focus on learning basic chords that you can use to accompany yourself on your favorite songs. Bring your own ukulele or use one of ours. Come sing and strum along with us!

Ages 12-15

Jazz Dance – Ansley

Jazz dance is a vibrant and versatile style of movement which includes leaps, turns, jumps and the entire body. Enjoy an introduction to multiple styles of jazz. Come ready to move!

Session 1 & 3: Monologues & Auditions – Mauricio

In this Daily, home in on what makes you a great performer. We will each work on two monologues: one from a contemporary play and one from Shakespeare. In addition to expert coaching on monologues, you will learn techniques for auditions that involve cold readings and ways to handle stage fright. Confidence is key, and together we’ll highlight what makes you a unique talent. 

Session 2 Only: Devised Theater – Mauricio and Ashley

Instead of starting with a script, devised theater starts with the actors in the room and their ideas. Learn how to create evocative, ensemble performance pieces using movement, poetry, and personal writing. Arena Stage is nationally and internationally renowned for its devised work and Voices of Now program.

Painting – Chloe

Together we will explore different painting styles and media, such as watercolor and acrylic. Learn how to use your imagination and observation skills to capture the world in paint. Develop new skills for observation and application, develop a studio practice, and work toward creating a range of paintings.

Session 1 & 2: Film Kaleidoscope – Morgan

Double Period: Fourth and Fifth Daily

Collaboration and teamwork are core values in filmmaking, and having an individual vision is also important.   Work on both in this new Daily.  Together, we will create and film a variety of short clips.  Then, in smaller groups, we’ll create our own stories from the same film clips.  The differing ideas will create a “kaleidoscope” of unique short films.

Session 3 Only: The Two-Part Film – Morgan

Double Period: Fourth and Fifth Daily

Cliffhangers! Suspense! What makes people want to binge watch a show? In this Daily, we will create an original, 2-part film that we will show in installments at the Noontime Show, leaving our audiences hungry for the final episode in the last days of camp.

Session 3 Only: The Musical – Wes

Music...lyrics...action! Starting from the blank page, we will create and perform a brand new original musical together in just two weeks. Learn the basics of musical theater writing and performing through the tried-and-true method of simply doing it!

Ages 8-12

Jazz Dance – Ansley

Jazz dance is a vibrant and versatile style of movement which includes leaps, turns, jumps and the entire body. Enjoy an introduction to multiple styles of jazz. Come ready to move!

Lights! Camera! Commercials! – Smeeta

Have you ever wanted to create and star in a TV commercial? Now you can! We will work together to write, produce, film, and star in our own television commercial! Learn the magic of camera angles, the power of lighting, the excitement of collaboration and sharpen your talent to share it with the world.

Intro to Machine Sewing – Madeline

Ever want to learn how to use a sewing machine and have some fun along the way? This Daily is for you! We will sew simple projects for you to wear or decorate your room…all after learning how to sew in a straight line.

Mixed Media – Chloe

A class to have fun and get messy! In this class, we would create art with unconventional materials, experiment with texture, and learn more expressionist forms of art.

Session 2 Only: Acting

Have you ever pictured yourself in a play? In this Daily, you will learn about teamwork and the acting tools you can use to become different characters and perform on stage! We will learn to work with a script by rehearsing and performing scenes with our fellow actors.

Session 3 Only: The Musical – Wes

Music...lyrics...action! Starting from the blank page, we will create and perform a brand new original musical together in just two weeks. Learn the basics of musical theater writing and performing through the tried-and-true method of simply doing it!

Ages 12-15

Songwriting – Juan Pablo

Are you a songwriter or musician? Learn the technical basis for turning your ideas into a song.  Create simple melodies and learn to add layers of harmony and texture to compose a music masterpiece. Campers in this Daily must be able to play an instrument.

Mime & Physical Theater – Dave

Actors use their bodies as powerful tools for storytelling. Learn how to use aspects of physical theater, like mime, to deepen your characters and scene work. Come ready to move and experiment in a supportive, fun environment.

Make a Play! - Kayla

Calling all aspiring playwrights, directors, and actors! If you love to write, direct, perform (or all three!), then this Daily is for you. Let your creativity shine and your imagination run wild as we create a play. Whether you want to remake a classic story or write an original, we’ll work together to bring a story to the stage.

Creative Writing – Skye

Some people love to write – and you are one of them. Settle into this relaxing afternoon Daily where we’ll weave words, pen poems, and imagine other worlds. Experiment with a variety of forms and styles to develop your voice as a writer.

Session 1 & 2: Film Kaleidoscope – Morgan

Double Period: Fourth and Fifth Daily

Collaboration and teamwork are core values in filmmaking, and having an individual vision is also important.   Work on both in this new Daily.  Together, we will create and film a variety of short clips.  Then, in smaller groups, we’ll create our own stories from the same film clips.  The differing ideas will create a “kaleidoscope” of unique short films.

Session 3 Only: The Two-Part Film – Morgan

Double Period: Fourth and Fifth Daily

Cliffhangers! Suspense! What makes people want to binge watch a show? In this Daily, we will create an original, 2-part film that we will show in installments at the Noontime Show, leaving our audiences hungry for the final episode in the last days of camp.