Camp Descriptions

Backstage Pass

Prepare for a summer of theater! Find out what it takes to create a theater production through on-stage and behind-the-scene activities. Acting skills will be honed through vocal and physical warm-ups, theater games and improvisation. Campers will get a taste of the life behind the curtain by participating in hands-on workshops with a variety of theater professionals, such as directors, stage-managers and designers for sets, costumes, lighting, props and sound. At Friday Club future thespians will display their new talents.

Head Counselor: Jared Goldstein (SFDC, 2nd summer) has a BFA in theater from New York University and has been a theater professional for 10 years. Jared has worked on both on- and off-Broadway shows.

Tuition: $410

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Reflections

Connect. Create. Perform. Bring to life the stories of the past by performing inspiring tales that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. Meet residents of a local retirement community, to discover personalities and uncover life experiences. Aspiring playwrights will tap into creative writing skills to pen shared reflections creating a scene that will be performed on stage.

It is possible to earn community service hours for this camp: SSFS students can earn 10-20 hours; students enrolled in other schools should confirm their school’s requirements.

Head Counselor: Jared Goldstein (SFDC, 2nd summer)

Tuition: $738 (Nine-day camp)

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Summer Stock

This two-week session is designed to develop acting skills, nurture creativity and build self-confidence in campers as they interpret roles and ultimately perform in a short play. Campers can explore their love of the stage in a supportive, exhilarating environment. Each session will be unique and will end with a short play.

Head Counselor: Jared Goldstein (SFDC, 2nd summer)

Tuition:: $820 (Two-week camp)

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Kids on the Move

This camp combines an introduction to the world of imaginative play and creative movement with lively Friends Camp activities. Campers begin each day with warm-up exercises and stretching. The focus of this camp is to have fun while learning coordination, balance, rhythm and musical expression.

Head Counselor: Louise Bradford (SFDC, 10th summer)

Tuition:: $410

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Dance Combo

Each day will begin with warm-up exercises and stretching. Campers will experience different forms of dance, including modern, jazz, hip-hop and party dancing (limbo, electric slide, YMCA and more). Dancers will also have an introduction to improvisation and composition. Experience creative movement activities, such as story dances, free dances, games and prop dances.

The August 4th session of Dance Combo will include a special shadow puppetry workshop. Campers will use dance and movement to bring a folktale to life behind a shadow screen.

Head Counselor: Christine Hamilton (SFDC, 2nd summer) will be one of the head counselors for Dance Combo this summer.

Tuition: $410; week of July 4 tuition, $328

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Dance Technique Experience

Experience different dance technique forms including lyrical jazz, modern dance and ballet. Campers will be introduced to social dance styles such as waltz, tango, jitterbug and cha cha. Jumps, turns and proper stretching techniques will be taught. Dancers will experiment with improvisation, dance composition and choreography.

Head Counselor: Christine Hamilton (SFDC, 2nd summer) has a Masters in Dance, an Advanced Dancing certificate from the Royal Academy of Dancing, as well as an Associate in Applied Science in Physical Therapy.

Tuition: $410

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Cooking I & II

Campers will make a variety of foods, from enjoyable entrees to delicious desserts. They will have the opportunity to make old time favorites as well as new savory sensations, using wholesome ingredients. Campers will be given recipes to take home so dishes can be re-created. Each day campers prepare a tasty lunch for themselves. On Fridays, parents are invited to enjoy a special meal. Cooking I camps will be basic cooking camps, especially for new cooks. Cooking II is for slightly more advanced chefs.

Tuition: $410; week of July 4 tuition, $328

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Campy Crafts

Join us for a potpourri of folk arts and crafts! Campers will spend hours delving into traditional camp-craft projects, such as creating woven baskets, candle-making, mobiles, tie-dye and much more.

Tuition: $410

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Threadworks

Explore a variety of fiber arts in this camp. Campers will experiment with embroidery, knitting, basic weaving and more to create original designs.

Head Counselor: Louise Bradford (SFDC, 10th summer) studied embroidery for two years at the Turkish Girl's Vocational School. Louise has won awards for embroidery. In her free time, she enjoys knitting and creating patterns.

Tuition: $410

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Ordinary to Extraordinary: Recycled Art

Campers will take everyday items and re-invent them into beautiful works of art. This camp begins with a visit to thrift stores and/or discount outlets to find interesting objects to be transformed into art. Next, campers brainstorm design options, construct, decorate and finish the found objects.

Head Counselor: Michelle Puhl-Price (SFDC, 6th summer, SSFS 7th year) teaches art at SSFS, has led a workshop at the Corcoran and has extensive experience teaching at art camps in the area.

Tuition: $410

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Beads, Beads, Beads!

This camp is an introduction to the wonderful world of beading. Beading in a group is fun; sharing ideas and seeing one another's unique beaded creations turns beading into a party. Participants will learn the different types of beads and beading materials; color theory; and the aesthetics of designing beautiful bead jewelry. Campers will learn how to use clasps, pendants, head pins, wigjigs, wire lace, polymer clay and rubber stamp art. Each beader will make several types of bracelets, earrings and necklaces, including charm bracelets and illusion necklaces. Personal variations will be added when young artists help themselves at "the bead buffet." A field trip will include a shopping trip to a fabulous bead store!

Both sessions are for beginning beaders. If a camper chooses to enroll in both camps, the second week will have some different projects and skills.

Head Counselor: Helen Clark (SFDC 3rd summer) owns Bead Obsession Designs and creates unique jewelry, which she sells throughout the Washington, DC area. Helen enjoys teaching beading techniques and introducing others to this versatile, ancient, and highly addictive art form.

Tuition: $410

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Advanced Beading

Advanced Beading is designed to challenge those who have already mastered the basics of making beaded jewelry and want to delve into more complex beading techniques. Possible projects include learning bead weaving and stitching techniques such as brick stitch, right angle weave, and peyote stitch to make beautiful bracelets, necklaces and rings. Campers will also make jewelry using knotting techniques, wire wrapping, bead crochet, bead knitting and bead netting. A field trip will include a visit to the Bead Museum or to a glassworks studio to see bead artists at work.

Head Counselor: Helen Clark (SFDC 3rd summer)

Tuition: $410

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Artist's Choice

This camp is for the young artist who wants to use a variety of art media. Weekly, each camper chooses a few art activities and is given substantial time to explore them in depth. Choices may include synthetic clay design; painting with watercolors, guache or acrylic paints; tie dying; drawing with pencils, charcoal or pastels; print making; and more.

Tuition: $410

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Fantastic Tales from the Wonderful World of Hans Christen Andersen and the Brothers Grimm

Stories from classic children's literature and fairy tales will come alive through art, games (both indoor and outdoor), drama, writing, music and cooking. Campers will focus on a new story each day. A storytelling approach will be used to introduce the tales and the deeper meaning of the each story will be explored.

Head Counselors: Jonathan Oglesbee (SFDC, 5th summer) and Barbara Flint Oglesbee (SFDC, 4th summer) are elementary school teachers. Jonathan trained as a storyteller through the National Network of Biblical Storytellers and has led conferences using stories as the foundation. Barbara has taken graduate level classes in the use of children's literature to 'awaken the moral imagination' and uses children's stories in her classroom. Their approach is to incorporate Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences theory and to help children integrate the themes of these tales into their everyday lives.

Tuition: $410

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Guitar I & II

Guitar I is for those with little or no guitar experience. Activities will introduce the fundamental elements of playing guitar: fingering for scales, chords and rockin' out! There will be plenty of opportunities for solo and group playing. Guitarists will learn simple blues and rock songs.

Guitar II will continue to build on the talents of campers that have guitar experience. Campers taking Guitar I are welcome to take part in this camp. Guitar II will focus on more complicated drills and techniques, such as bends and bar chords. Campers will learn more blues and rock songs, while taking turns playing the roles of rhythm and lead guitar during the week.

Both weeks will culminate in performances at Friday Club!

Note: Guitar I and II campers will need to bring a guitar to camp each day.

Head Counselor: Dan Reiner (SFDC, 4th summer)

Tuition: $410

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