Summer is a joy in Traverse City, though the months-long break puts not insignificant strain on many parents who depend on childcare. Several area non-profit organizations meet that need with a diverse offering of summer camps; Traverse City’s Old Town Playhouse certainly fits the bill.
Old Town Playhouse’s summer camps serve children as young as five through eighteen years old with a range of stories, stagecraft, and introductory sessions.
A Year-Round Commitment to Youth Theater
The summer camps are an extension of Old Town Playhouse’s youth-focused programming. Known as Young Company, kids and teens can star in and support a number of shows through the season, balancing fun, creativity, and hard work. It’s no small commitment, and the reward is a brilliant night on the stage.
The Importance of Theater Programs for Youths
Youth theater offers tremendous benefits at any age, teaching critical verbal and non-verbal communication skills, public speaking confidence, and empathy by consistently putting themselves in the shoes of others.
Research also shows that participation in performing arts, including theater and music, contributed to improved cognitive development, better performance in school, and higher standardized test scores.
Meeting the Need for Summer Childcare
More than two-thirds of the Grand Traverse region lacks adequate childcare. Popular programs like the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA summer camps, Norte Youth Cycling’s week-long camps, and SEEDS education centers fill up in minutes, and many face funding shortages that have either forced increased fees or significant cost-cutting.
Oryana’s support of Old Town Playhouse’s Summer Camps is one small way to help the region face the childcare shortages while offering kids access to creative, confidence-inspiring programming that offers long-term developmental benefits.
To learn more about Old Town Playhouse’s summer camps and youth theater offerings, visit the organization’s Youth Learning program.
Community to Creativity
Oryana Community Co-op is committed to helping our community thrive. Through programs like Groceries For Good and direct donations to organizations like Old Town Playhouse, we’re helping make the Grand Traverse area a more vibrant, inclusive, and wonderful place to live, work, and play. Become an owner today and subscribe to our newsletter for more community news and events!
