Middle schoolers who long to tap their inner artists in a natural setting have a new option this summer thanks to Friends of The Sands Point Preserve. Among its other popular camps, the organization is launching Camp CREATE, a summer arts program for children entering grades 6-8, with two weeklong day camps from Aug. 4-8 and Aug. 11-15, from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Camp CREATE offers youngsters the opportunity to experience the arts through nature, and nature through the arts while exploring music, theater, movement, creative writing, and art. Campers will “Connect, Respect, Explore, Act,Transform, and Express” their interactions with the Preserve’s natural habitats and environment.
“The program is geared for those who want to enjoy the outdoors but also have an interest in movement, music, art and more,” said Jean-Marie Posner, the executive director of Friends of The Sands Point Preserve. “We found that there is a lack of options for this age group in the summer, and this program caters to this specific audience.”
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In two weeks of unique multi-sensory experiences, with the Preserve as its canvas, campers will explore nature through a creative lens. Morning journeys through the site’s wooded trails, beachfront, horse barns, apiary and ponds will inspire afternoon creative sessions of storytelling, music, movement, improv, creative writing and videos. Each week culminates in a Friday performance created by and featuring the campers.
Spearheading Camp CREATE are the popular teaching artists, Elise May and Debbie Mastrocinque, along with Mary G. Miller, director of education at the Preserve.
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Elise has performed and taught in the United States, Canada, Bermuda and England. With degrees in Theater and Speech, she has developed many programs for all ages using theater arts for vocal empowerment. Creating interactive, multisensory programs with curricular and thematic connections allows Elise to work with school districts, libraries, camps and corporations on performance, communications skills and community development.
Debbie received a B.A. from Hampshire College, where she studied dance and recreation therapy. She has taught tap, ballet, jazz, mommy and me creative movement, Zumba and senior fitness classes at the Dance Arts Centre for 37 years. She has also choreographed the musicals at Schreiber and Northport High Schools and the Port Summer Teen Theater.
“I am so excited to be a part of Camp CREATE!” Elise May said. “I have been an avid explorer of the Preserve since 1990. It is the perfect location for artistic inspiration and fun!”
Additional summer programs at the Preserve include Mad Science, Happy Montessori, Camp Invention, and Bricks 4Kidz.
Learn more about the programs visiting the Preserve's website.
