I Am the Arts summer camp uses dance, music and speech to occupy our youth

Summer is officially here. While students are out of school, many parents are not off from work. They have to make plans for their kids. During my childhood years, I can remember going to Macon-Bibb Parks and Recreation centers and vacation Bible school during the summer. Otherwise, I would hang out with my Grandma Chunk. All of these experiences as a youngster helped make me the person who I am. What we learn during those years of our lives is what carries over into our lives as adults.

Richard and Gwen Phillips founded Phillips Children’s Performing Arts Studio (PCPAS) to bring out the best in our youth by way of the arts. During the year, they direct an after-school program. This year marks the second year of the I Am the Arts summer camp, which is three-week program where instructors teach dance, music and public speaking to students from age 3 to college students.

The dance lessons include ballet, hip hop, jazz and praise. Introduction to music consists of learning to play drums, guitar, piano or the saxophone, and the public speaking will incorporate poetry recitals. One unique part of the program consists of each student learning etiquette. It is mandatory that each student learns basic manners, regardless of the art class they sign up for.

Registration for the I Am the Arts summer camp is open through today. The camp runs June 7-23 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. The registration fee is $10 plus $70 for the actual camp, which includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, a T-shirt and the lessons. At the end of the three weeks, the students will showcase their skills in an organized production. Phillips Children’s Performing Arts Studio is located in the Family Investment Center at 905 Main St. in Macon.

Although this camp session doesn’t last the whole summer, it’s an excellent way to help create well-rounded young people. Learning the arts will help them excel in their academic studies and can also be therapeutic. Their young lives often contain stress that needs to be relieved. Of course, you remember the worries of being a kid.

The I Am the Arts summer camp is sponsored by the Knight Foundation, Macon Arts Alliance and Macon-Bibb Housing Authority. For more information, call 478-394-5018 or log onto www.phillipchildrenperformingarts.com

This story was originally published June 2, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "I Am the Arts summer camp uses dance, music and speech to occupy our youth."