THE MISSION
Summer Stars provides kids, ages 12-17, with the opportunity to discover themselves and their potential through experiences in the arts. This is provided at no cost to their families. We understand that through risk-taking and the hard work of artistic
commitment, kids develop essential character and life skills: confidence, creativity, problem solving, leadership and team building.
What makes this opportunity so valuable is that Summer Stars provides these children not only a respite from the realities of life, but a life-changing experience. By meeting other kids with the same interests, by working with a caring staff that holds
them to the highest standards, they learn that working hard makes it possible for them to get places they never thought possible. They take these standards, this work ethic, and a renewed sense of self-worth into all facets of their lives.
OUR WORK PLAYS A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE LIVES OF OUR CONSITUENTS
Imagine being unsure of your abilities, with no one to tell you to bother pursuing your interests. But then you arrive at Summer Stars, take master classes in dance, singing, improv, and more, and end up being a part of this.
Summer Stars positively impacts communities of children from economically disadvantaged families. These are families do not have disposable income to provide their children with educational summer programming. Kids selected to attend our summer programming
are those who do not have access to the arts, typically families who experience financial deficits.
Kids who have attended Summer Stars exhibit increased enhancements in their self-worth, self-confidence, leadership skills, reasoning ability, intuition, perception, imagination, inventiveness, creativity, problem-solving skills, conflict resolution,
empathy, collaboration, social tolerance, performance skills, and maturity. The experience of a ten-day residential camp for youth who have never left home is quite a maturing, growing, and empowering one.
Studies show that during the summer months, children from higher income families are engaging in activities that make them more prepared for the upcoming school year. Conversely, children from lower income families may fall behind. Summer Stars Camp
for the Performing Arts plays an important role in ensuring that the children we serve can start the school year prepared and ready to face new challenges. We teach singing techniques, a variety of dance forms, acting and improvisation, songwriting, set building,
all while engaging in physical activity that is so critical to the overall health of a child.
Kids who participate in arts learning experiences often improve their achievement in other realms of learning and life. The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (“NASAA”) found that youth with a high involvement in the arts performed better on
standardized achievement tests than those with lower arts involvement. Additionally, higher arts involved youth participated in more community service, watched fewer hours of television, and reported less boredom at school. The NASAA also has found that youth
who are enrolled in arts learning experiences have positively correlated with higher SAT verbal and math scores. The increase is linear: the more exposure to the arts, the higher the scores. NASAA research has also reported that when youth are provided the
opportunity to perform they may be able to overcome fears and see that they can succeed.
As no family pays a dime for their child to attend (including transportation!), we must raise 100% of funds necessary to run a high-caliber, residentital performing arts camp.
TESTIMONIALS
"I've not only gained confidence but I've also gained skills in things I would never have thought I'd be gifted in. Thanks to Summer Stars, I believe I'm ready to go out in the world and take it by storm." Eric, East Orange, NJ
"Summer Stars has changed my life completely. The best times of my life were spent at that camp. Over the years they have taught me to stay true to myself and to leave my mark in anything and everything that I do. I'd be so lost without my Summer Stars family.” Malik,
Boston, MA
"I always wanted a free camp, but it seemed impossible to find. My mom is a single parent so having her pay for expensive camps just seemed unbearable. When my drama teacher told me about Summer Stars the news was just too good to be true. I thought going
to sleep away camp would never happen until pigs fly, but my prayer was answered by giving me Summer Stars Camp." Jael, New Bedford, MA
“Summer Stars, a place for a teenager like me eager for diversity, knowledge, and immense fun, a place easily compared to heaven. It has also been an escape from the problems and struggles kids face in this era. Judgement, criticism, bullying, and loneliness,
all these feelings and actions are non-existent at Summer Stars. If I had the chance to come back to Summer Stars no workds in the Webster dictionary could describe how ecstatic I would be. Summer Stars taught me the power behind happiness, freedom, and entertainment.
One of a kind camp. I miss it all the time." Quamir, East Orange, NJ
"I've not only gained confidence but I've also gained skills in things I would never have thought I'd be gifted in. Thanks to Summer Stars, I believe I'm ready to go out in the world and take it by storm." Eric, East Orange, NJ
"It takes a whole semester at my school to finish everything I did in one week. I have gained a new confidence I never knew I had in me." Kayana, New York
SEE FOR YOURSELF!