Gernise Gregoire

Communications junior Kayla Kirschenbaum has fun with campers as she dresses as the hero Thing from “Fantastic Four.”

The first week of summer break is not just the beginning of sleeping in late and tanning at the beach. It is also the start of Dreyfoos’ annual A.R.T.S. (Artists Reaching out to Students) Camp. The A.R.T.S. Club sets up the camp to bring together Dreyfoos students and children from the ages of 5 to 12. From June 8-June 13, A.R.T.S. Camp began  its week of activities that gave kids the opportunity to learn and grow in different art areas. The classes ranged from performing a debate in communications to creating string puppets in visual arts classes.

“I have been a part of A.R.T.S. Camp before, but this year was especially awesome because I got to be a head counselor,” digital senior Madison Daorerk said. “The kids and the counselors did a lot of chants, arts and crafts, dances and songs, so we always had a good time. It was [special] because I feel like everyone worked really hard for the project Ms. J [prior sponsor of A.R.T.S. Club] assembled. It was great being a part of the camp because of the atmosphere and the kids.”

Children are categorized by age into groups named after different colors, and each group is guided by Dreyfoos student counselors.  Throughout the day, the groups experienced what it is like to attend communications, digital media, theater, visual, dance and music classes. Dreyfoos students acted as teachers and created teaching plans for each group’s classes.

“The hours were long and hard but it was all worth it when I saw the smiles on the kids’ faces,” band senior and student counselor Joshua Ewers said.

Two head counselors are assigned to each color group, and other counselors hung out with and interacted with the kids. They played a very important role in keeping the kids hyped up and ready to participate.

“I was really excited to be a part of A.R.T.S. Camp because I love kids,” vocal senior and student counselor Sidney Kelly said. “I’m so glad to have participated this year and spend time with such amazing kids as a counselor.”

Counselors really bonded with the kids during their time together. Both the students and the kids learned different things about each other that they use to relate with each other.

“One of my campers favorite movie was “The Sound of Music,” and he is only 7. I found that interesting,” Dreyfoos alumna and counselor Julianne Amaya said. “He also really liked to sing but most of the time we double dutched out hearts out.”

At the end of the camp, a production is put together to showcase what the children learned in each class. The production presents children singing songs, playing instruments, reenacting plays and dancing. The production shows a video produced by the children in communications class. The camp requires hard work, dedication and responsibility for those who wish to participate next year.

“A.R.T.S Camp this year blew my expectations away. It’s been a tough year for everyone,” A.R.T.S Club’s Past President and Dreyfoos alumna Miriam Wagner said. “Everyone from the counselors and the teachers, to the campers and staff were such a joy to work with. We would work from 7:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. but the long hours ended up being very rewarding. Everyone made this year’s camp run smoothly, and I know Ms. Jefferson is looking down on us and is very proud of everyone who was involved.”

A.R.T.S. Camp and Ms. J’s wishes would not have been possible if it weren’t for the hard work and dedication of the A.R.T.S. Club staff.

“With Cameron and Miriam’s leadership, A.R.T.S. Camp was exactly the way Ms. J would have wanted it to be,” Amaya said. “All of the counselors worked hard to make her proud. Her presence was always felt.”