Theatre in the Park

One of our most popular camps! Kids Create and perform their own story!

Fairies? Zombies? Thieves? Scientists? Mermaids? Werewolves? Pirates? Villians? Royalty? Anything goes!!
Kids will create their own short theatrical production from script to performance! Campers will spend the week both inside and outside inventing their own story, developing characters and creating a script. They will also practice audition techniques. We will then work to make a set, props and costumes.  Students will get an introduction to all aspects of theater including stage and use of space, learning how to use their speaking voice, beginning acting techniques and a glimpse into all of the collaboration that goes on behind the scenes of a theatrical production.  There will be game playing to introduce concepts and art projects to create sets and props. We will use all of their fun creative ideas to create a show for parents.  The camp has been called Theater in the Park for years but due to weather elements we have endured for the performance, the final performance will be in the classroom.

WAUKEE

June 22nd-26th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 1st through 5th graders Cost: $225

ANKENY

DATE: TBD Check back Feb 6th for final info 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 1st through 5th graders Cost: $225

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal or Ankeny Community Ed both on Friday March 2nd. We will provide the link below to register for each once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee and/or Ankeny, it is open to any student.)

Intro to Songwriting Camp:Works of Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams, Olivia Rodrigo and more…

Join us for a fun week studying songwriting. Emphasis will be on Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams, Olivia Rodirigo etc This camp will concentrate on these female artists career, music and influences.. Students will work on writing skills, learn the beginning fundamentals of songwriting, have karaoke parties and maybe some choreo and movement. No musical background necessary. However, if you have a guitar feel free to bring it. This will be a fun camp to dive into the works of female artists!

WAUKEE

JUNE 8th-JUNE 12th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 8th graders Cost: $180

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal on Friday March 2nd. We will provide the link below to register for once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee, it is open to any student.)

STRANGER THINGS Film Camp

Work with University of Iowa staff from the school of cinematic arts! Step out of the ordinary and into the world of all things Stranger! We will deep dive into the pop culture phenomenon of Stranger Things. This camp will analyze the significance of the series through a cinematic/screen writing lens. Students will provide their analysis, dive into the 80’s, try their hand at screen writing, role playing, and have some fun dissecting all things Stranger Things!

WAUKEE

DATE: TBD Check back Feb 6th for final info Time: TBD Ages: Currently slated for high school age. If you have interest please fill out this form here and share if you are high school or middle school aged. Cost: TBD

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal on Friday March 2nd. We will provide the link below to register for once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee, it is open to any student.)

Wizardry Camp at the Salisbury House!

This ultimate immersive camp continues to be one of our top camps!

PLEASE NOTE: This camp is only open to 1st years. Due to demand we can no longer support 2nd and 3rd years.

The week will start with an invite to the student’s home to attend our Wizardry Camp. They will arrive at the platform on the Monday of the camp at 9am sharp to be transported to our favorite magical world!  The kids will experience sorting, playing Quidditch on the lawn, creating potions, magic, picking and making wands, daily owl deliveries and many other fun activities and surprises and special guests!  If you have a fan in your house, this will be an immersive experience that your child will always remember

REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 2nd

JUNE 15th-19th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 3rd through 6th graders - 1st years only Cost: $260

JULY 6th- 10th
9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 3rd through 6th graders - 1st years only Cost: $260

PLEASE NOTE: first year students only to due high demand.

Friday Night Live Camp!

Back by popular demand…Second City writers and performers are headed back to Iowa from Chicago to teach this improv camp!! Second City is the breeding ground for all things Saturday night live! Students will learn sketch comedy and improv and work on creating their own version of Saturday night live but on Friday! Students will be looking at pop culture to thread through a fun show that they create. We will incorporate body movement and voice to demonstrate shifts in characters as well as props and some light costuming when needed.  There will be a final performance for each camp on Friday for parents to watch. We have a middle school and high school session!

WAUKEE

SCHOOL AGED
DATE: TBD Tentative JUNE 15th-June 19th- subject to change 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 5th through 8th graders Cost: $240

HIGH SCHOOL
DATE: TBD Tentative JUNE 15th-June 19th- subject to change 1am-4pm Ages: Incoming 9th through 12th graders Cost: $240

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal on Friday March 2nd. We will provide the link below to register for each once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee it is open to any student.)

Middle School Theatre in the Park

Our very popular Theater in Park will be offering a middle school track! We have been offering this camp for a several years with a lot of repeat students who are aging out! This class will work with middle school themes to create a fun performance. Students will start to learn the fundamentals of structuring a play and early concepts around writing one. Students will drive the content, production, and artistic components that go into creating and writing a show. The camp has been called Theater in the park for years but due to weather elements we have endured for the performance, the final performance will be in the classroom.

WAUKEE

JUNE 8th-July 12th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 6th graders Cost: $225

ANKENY

DATE: TBD Check back Feb 6th for final info 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 8th graders Cost: $225

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal or Ankeny Community Ed both on Friday March 2nd. We will provide the link below to register for each once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee and/or Ankeny, it is open to any student.)

SWIFTIES & KPOP DEMON HUNTERS Pop Star Camp!

UPDATED SWIFTIES POP STAR CAMP! Young students will get a chance to learn all about their favorite pop culture stars...Taylor Swift and this year adding in Kpop Demon Hunters! ! Dance, sing, and perform Taylor Swift/Kpop  songs all week. Students will also create their own persona as a popstar and get some introduction to musical instruments and choreography. Students will work on a performance for parents at the end of the week. No previous music or vocal experience necessary.

WAUKEE

JUNE 8th-JUNE 12th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 2nd through 5th graders Cost: $225

JULY 13th-JULY 17th 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 2nd through 5th graders Cost: $225

ANKENY

Date: TBD Check back Feb 6th for final info 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 2nd through 5th graders Cost: $225

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal or Ankeny Community Ed both on Friday March 2nd. We will provide the link below to register for each once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee and/or Ankeny, it is open to any student.)

Sports Broadcasting Camp!

Back for the 10th year! This popular camp will give students a glimpse into the world of all things sports broadcasting. Kids will get a first hand look at what all goes into a sports broadcast. Students will work with several area sports franchises and talent!  The week kicks off with a visit from a local sports announcer.  We also have the voice of the Cyclones, JOHN WALTERS, to host us for a morning up in Ames!!  Students will be bussed up to Ames to get an inside look at Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum. John will share what all happens during a live broadcast. Plus will have the Iowa Cubs job shadow experience as well this week the evening of July 31st! Students will attend a night game and shadow different roles, meet players and put on a mock press conference.  The week ends with participants creating their own sports broadcast!  It’s busy high energy week but a TON of fun!  Cost includes ticket to ball game and a bus ride.

REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 8th - This camp is run through Waukee community ed. Link to register will be provided on our website.

JULY 6th-10th
9am-12pm Game experience will be Thursday July 9th 6:38pm Ages: Incoming 5th through 9th grade Cost: $350

REGISTRATION for this camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal on Friday March 2nd. We will provide the link below to register for each once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee it is open to any student.)

Muscial Theatre Camp- WE WANT YOUR VOTE!

VOTE HERE!!

Campers will have a blast singing and performing some of our favorite pop songs from favorite musicals!

Everyone gets a part! Those with more experience may have opportunity for bigger roles and mentorship of our newbies to theatre.

During this fun-filled week, campers will spend time playing drama games, sharpening their actor “tools”, and rehearsing our version of the show Trolls Band Together! Students will also go through an audition process to get cast in their role. We will touch on best practices for auditioning. On the final day, there will be a performance of a unique adaptation of the movie musical including the characters. The performance will include acting, singing, and movement to our favorite songs from the latest Trolls movie.

Focus of Camp:
• Learn fun song-and-dance numbers from the selected Musical
• Learn about props and costumes. (This year we are running a concurrent tech camp to create some set pieces!)
• Perform in a final showcase for family and friends.

Workshops around:
Character development
Vocal techniques

June 23rd-June 27th 9am-4pm Ages: Incoming 3rd through 8th grade Cost: $350 Location: Valley High Staplin Performing Arts Center

Registration open March 2nd

ACHIEVE! Executive, Leadership, and Life Skills Camp

Make the most of high school!  In this camp we will focus on personal development, academics, leadership and social skills. This workshop is to start the mindset of making the most out of their high school career and experience. We will explore ways to navigate situations through effective ways of communicating. In a world where kids are glued to their phones, we will discuss positive communication behaviors and etiquette. We will use improv to explore situations that are sometimes challenging to manuever  ie friendships, talking to teachers, applying for jobs, working with coaches, basic life skills. We will have visits from upper high school classman, business leaders, life coaches, sports coaches etc. This camp is designed to instill confidence, leadership skills, time management and help young teens apply themselves to be successful. We will also use some drama, role play, writing, and sports to break up the content and make it interactive and fun! Students will leave with some personal goals to review with parents and action plans.
Topics include: Relationship with technology, Academics, mental health, Leadership and Community Volunteering, navigating Social and learning styles

DATE: TBD Check back Feb 6th for final info Time 9am-1pm Ages: High School Cost: $275

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal on Friday March 2nd. We will provide the link below to register for each once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee it is open to any student.)

SNKRS CAMP! SHOE DESIGN CAMP

This is a HIGHLY POPULAR and FUN camp for your sneaker head. We have a VERY exciting agenda with several updates for this year!  Hear from Rami the ICON and Colin Behr former Nike designer.

Our host for the week will be local sneaker lover Claude Wilkins! He was the owner of the local sneaker resale store Sole Nest.   

Students will be designing and marketing their own shoes!  

Students will learn about marketing, creating and investing in the sneaker re-sale business. We will also discuss the latest business trends in the market.  At the end of the week they will be pitching their own brand/creation/concepts/collabs to parents with their shoe design. 

Students will have the opportunity to purchase white nike airforce 1’s at wholesale price or bring their own. Vans or other shoes are welcome too!

We may have the opportunity to display our sneakers at the Waukee Arts Festival…more to come!

WAUKEE

Date: TBD Tentative JULY 13th-June 17th- subject to change 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 9th graders Cost: $250

ANKENY
Date: TBD Check back Feb 6th for final info 9am-12pm Ages: Incoming 6th through 9th graders Cost: $250

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal or Ankeny Community Ed both on Friday March 2nd. We will provide the link below to register for each once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee and/or Ankeny, it is open to any student.)

Little Wags Disney Camp

This camp is designed for our youngest students. Explore music and drama through fun games, crafts, sing a longs, dance, and activities inspired by all things Disney! Camp is created to give confidence, team building, and inspire creativity. Campers must be fully potty trained and bathroom independent.

WAUKEE

June 8th-12th 9am-11pm Ages: 4-7 Cost: $185

ANKENY
Date: TBD Check back Feb 6th for final info 9am-11pm Ages: 4-7 Cost: $185

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal or Ankeny Community Ed both on Friday March 2nd. We will provide the link below to register for each once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee and/or Ankeny, it is open to any student.)

FASHION CAMP: Styling, merchandising, branding and more!

NEW camp… Learn from the best! Des Moines’ own fashionistas are here to share industry insights about all things style. Personal Style Consultant and adjunct professor at DMACC, Courtney Conlin and boutique business owner, Erin Eischeid (Blonde Genius), will host this camp. High school students will learn about styling, branding, runway, merchandising etc. The end of the week will end with a live performance around fashion for parents!

WAUKEE
Date: Tentative June 15th-19th - subject to change- check back Feb 6th for final details! 9am-12pm Ages: HIGH SCHOOL Cost: TBD

REGISTRATION for these camps will open through Waukee School District Registration Portal on Friday March 2nd. We will provide the link below to register for each once it is available. (While the camp registers through Waukee it is open to any student.)