Arts Are Alive in Tarrytown Summer Camps

Published 10 years ago10y ago • Bookmarks: 75

August 6, 2015

| by Zoe Kaplan |

Fourteen years ago, former Tarrytown Superintendent of Schools Dr. Howard Smith asked Alison Paul to “do something with the arts when the buildings are empty in the summer.” With about 30 kids at the time, Multi Arts summer camp was born. Although in an academic location, the camp is focused on creating an environment without the usual pressure or stress of school. From 9 a.m. to noon, more than 100 campers, ages four to 10, are immersed in various arts-related activities.

Separated into five different animal-named groups, campers are exposed to theater, music, dance, and art, each providing opportunities to be creative, work in teams, and, most importantly, have fun. Camp coordinator Cathy Chulla, who has been working at Multi Arts for nine years, said, “There is nothing like walking the halls and hearing the music-making and giggles, watching the dances, and seeing the determined faces concentrating on their art projects. It brings a smile to my face!”

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The instructors certainly add to the diversity and merriment of the camp. Campers have the privilege of learning everything from flamenco dancing to Columbian music to Australian dot painting. This year, instructors include district music teachers, a Radio City Music Hall Rockette, and a Broadway dancer who was in the original cast of Rock of Ages.

Paul and Chulla agree that their counseling system is what makes the camp even more special. Often, young people who attended the camp make up a majority of the counseling staff. Students going into seventh grade can help in the art room, then become junior counselors working for community service hours, and finally come back and get paid. Chulla remarked, “It is as nice to see [the counselors] mature as it is to see the campers grow.”

For those who are not around during the three weeks Multi Arts camps run, or have older kids who would rather focus on a more specific topic, Paul offers Clay, Open Call, and Architecture camps. Open Call Drama Camp, led by local director Peter Royston, is a one-week intensive camp where students learn, memorize, and perform a production at the end of just five days. Clay Camp, also in Sleepy Hollow High School this year, works under the direction of high school art teacher Gary Benton. In the camp, students learn various clay-shaping techniques to make exciting projects, often ones based on famous works of art and artists they study during the day. Finally, Architecture for Kids combines math and creativity to show campers the value of space and structure, as well as collaboration, as there are often group projects.

No matter what camp students attend, they are sure to have a wonderful experience. Paul has made extra efforts to ensure that all who are interested can attend whatever camp they choose. This year, 72 scholarships were provided to students in the community, thanks to the Westchester Community Foundation, the Rotary Club of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, the Kids Club and numerous parents. Due to the help of these wonderful organizations and individuals, the camps have become much more accessible, and Paul hopes they continue to be open to everyone in the community. With all the benefits the camps offer – interaction with peers, practicing language skills and following directions, opportunities to be creative, and tons of fun – the bigger problem for kids is which camp to choose!

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