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SUNY Potsdam Announces Return of Summer Creative Arts Camp for Youth of All Ages

May 2, 2023

SUNY Potsdam Creative Arts Camp Returns to the Performing Arts Center from July 24 to Aug. 5 

SUNY Potsdam’s Creative Arts Camp will return for area youth from Kindergarten through high school, from July 24 to Aug. 5. To learn more, visit potsdam.edu/cac.

SUNY Potsdam is proud to announce the return of its popular Creative Arts Camp, set to run from July 24 to Aug. 5, in the College’s Performing Arts Center. 

Registration is now open for the immersive day camp, with different tracks available for youth of all ages, from Kindergarten to high school. To learn more and register, visit potsdam.edu/community/creative-arts-camp. 

“The SUNY Potsdam Summer Creative Arts Camp provides school-aged youth a safe and fun environment to explore their artistic talents. Learning by doing is the educational model and students spend every day working on the process of their chosen art form—creative writing, dance, or theatre—as well as preparing for a final showcase,” said camp director Dr. Jay Pecora, chair of SUNY Potsdam’s Department of Theatre and Dance

The Creative Arts Camp will run from Monday, July 24 to Saturday, Aug. 5. The day camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, and campers are asked to provide their own lunch.  

The camp will conclude on Saturday, Aug. 5, with a showcase day for families and friends, as campers exhibit all of their hard work. Camp registration includes a T-shirt and free tickets to the final showcase performances. 

SUNY Potsdam’s Creative Arts Camp allows families to choose from four separate tracks, depending on their interests. 

Creative Arts for Kids (Kindergarten to Grade 3) 

The creative arts for kids program allows young campers to explore a variety of art forms, including the visual arts, drama and dance. Visual art mediums include drawing, watercolor and collage. Families can choose between either a morning session or an afternoon session, or opt to do both. The final presentation for this program will exhibit work the campers made throughout the camp. 

Drama (Grades 4 to 7 or Grades 8 to 12) 

The drama program offers two different age ranges. Drama campers start with team building exercises, before going on to explore improvisation, learning the basics of acting and rehearsing scripted plays. Campers will perform their plays at the final showcase on Aug. 5. 

Creative Writing (Grades 4 to 8) 

Campers in this program will write in a variety of genres, including short stories, poems, non-fiction and plays. They will also review exemplary forms of the styles they are writing in, both in print and video. Not every moment of the day is spent reading and writing, though! Campers will also engage in other hands-on activities to explore their creative style. A final exhibition of their work will take place on Aug. 5, with readings of original pieces selected by the campers themselves. 

Dance (Grades 4 to 8) 

Campers will learn the fundamentals of dance in a fun and relaxed setting, developing awareness of their bodies and how they move in space. A variety of styles will be explored, including ballet, jazz and modern dance. Finally, they will experience the choreographic process, preparing for their final showcase performance on Aug. 5. Beginners are welcome, and will receive special attention to ensure they learn safe technique. 

For more information, contact Dr. Jay Pecora by calling (315) 267-2547 or emailing creativeartscamp@potsdam.edu. 

About SUNY Potsdam:  

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu. 

For Media Inquiries

Alexandra Jacobs Wilke

jacobsam@potsdam.edu 315-267-2918

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