Dear Campers, Parents and Guardians, Summer is here which means our Theatre Summer Camp is now underway! It feels like only yesterday that everyone was saying good-bye at the close of last year s sessions, but we are excited that a new summer of fun and theatre is now upon us. With the first day of Session III approaching the Counsellors and Counsellors-in-Training (CITs) can t wait to see the returning campers and meet all the new faces as well. Many of last year s staff are with us again for another year. The Greenwood Community Centre (GCC) will once again be the home of the Act One School of Drama Theatre Summer Camp. As with last year, we will be presenting the session ending performances on our stage here at the school. The oldest camper group (Ages 12 and 13) can also again look forward to creating their own short film during the initial week. The school s regular year On Camera class film instructor, Sarah Pugsley, will again be working with the campers on their actual filming day! We are also excited to be adding half day Improv workshops for campers aged 10 and up, with Steve Hobbs, Act One s resident Improv instructor and one of Second City s senior staff. The first day of any camp can be a little intimidating and overwhelming, especially for those attending for the first time. This is common and totally understandable. To make you feel a little more comfortable we have included additional information with this letter. It lets you know some of the things that we will be doing over the camp s two weeks. It is our goal at the camp to make all campers feel welcome and ensure that you have at least three tons of experience with us: 1. Have TONS of fun! 2. Learn TONS of theatre! 3. Leave with TONS of memories! The camp staff has been involved in drama in a variety of ways for many years. They have a love for theatre and are ecstatic to have the chance to share that passion and pass it on to all of you. This summer should be an absolute blast and we can not wait for it to begin! We look forward to seeing all of you soon! Sincerely, Mark Nathanielsz
Monday, Aug 8th Tuesday, Aug 9th Get to Know You Day Time Warp Day Wednesday, Aug 10th Hero/Villain Drama-lympics Day Dress as your parents did when they were kids or as you think kids will in the future. Dress as someone who inspires you or make up your Don t forget sunscreen and water. own superhero or super vilremember no peanuts!!) lain (Reminder: Cereal boxes for masks) Improv Workshops for Campers aged 10 and up Monday, Aug 15th Mix and Match Day How crazy and silly can you dress? Wear everything backwards or haul out your kookiest clothes! Friday, Aug 12th Happy (aka Pizza) Day! The Official Drama Olympiad First Day of Camp Welcome!!! Thursday, Aug 11th Tuesday, Aug 16th Sci-Fi/Alien Day Dress as your favorite alien or how you think an alien would look. Wednesday, Aug 17th Career Day Don t forget a change of clothes...you may get wet! Dress as Happy as possible! (Don t forget Happy socks) Senior campers film their short film today! Thursday, Aug 18th Academy Award Day Friday, Aug 19th @ 3:00 pm Dress in the clothes or uniform of a job or you would like to have. Dress as your favorite actor or film character. (Don t forget any costumes or props for your play! ) On-stage at the school itself! A chance to showcase the play you ve created and anything else you want to do! Last Day of Camp
What Do We Do At The Camp? The Act One School of Drama Theatre Summer Camp (how s that for a tongue twister ) operates quite differently than most other camps. Here is a list of some of the things that we will be doing and which are important throughout the Camp Session: Peanuts Due to potential camper allergies, peanuts or any product with peanuts, are not allowed at the camp at any time. Costume Days In your package, you have received a calendar that explains when and what many of the different theme days are. For some of these days it is encourage that campers come in costume or bring one with them (Note: it is often wise to have a change of regular clothes available as well so that costume choices don t interfere with any of the day s activities). Costumes are an integral part of most theatrical productions and the camp is no different. Costumes will factor into the day s activities and will help make the camper s experience even more fun. At the camp, each day, the campers will get more details as to each costume day. Please note that costumes are not critical or mandatory. They are simply fun ice-breakers and imagination stimulators, so please do not worry if a camper does not want to wear one on a given day and please do NOT go out and buy anything expensive or fancy. In fact we encourage the campers to use creativity and just assemble their own costumes out of random materials they find at home. Very often by the end of the day the costume has evolved into something quite different from what it started out being! Early Drop-off / Late Pick-up Service For the convenience and peace of mind of campers families, Act One provides early drop-off and late pick-up options. Each morning, one Camp Counselor is present at the school from 7:30am onwards and another stays late until 6:00pm each camp day. They are present to allow parents, who due to work or other commitments may need to drop their children off before the regular 8:30am drop-off time or need extra time for pick-up after the normal 5:00pm time. The counselors are not just present for supervision; they will also aim to make any such time part of the full camp experience for those campers who need the service. There is a nominal $5/hr fee for this service, to a maximum of $25/week regardless of how many hours you need. The service is provided on an as-needed-basis. You do not need to book in advance. Usage is recorded and we simply settle up at the end of the session if you did require using the service. Please note it is sometimes possible to arrange for this at the Greenwood Community Centre but I cannot guarantee it. If this is a potential requirement, please contact the school asap so that options can be identified. Sunscreen and Water Sometimes, the summer days can get very hot. Please pack a few bottles of water or juice in your camper s backpack. Act One does provide some additional water and various snacks throughout the session but we can not always guarantee availability when a camper wants or needs them. There is a refrigerator at GCC to keep things cold. Also, remember that even Page 1 of 3
when the sun isn t out, one can still get sun burn. Having a bottle of sunscreen that can be used throughout the Camp Session is strongly recommended. IPods, Gameboys, cell phones, etc While we realize that hand held electronics such as IPods and Gameboys, etc are an integral part of many young peoples lives these days, we ask that they part with their beloved devices while at the camp. There are a number of reasons for this. We have found that the devices can be an unintentional distraction both to the owner and other campers. More importantly, as many of our activities involve concentrated attention and can rapidly move from area to area, this often means that inevitably, in the middle of having fun, many campers will forget about their devices or be forced to leave them unattended. We have yet to ever have an incident of theft but we can unfortunately say that we have had a number of cases where these items have been left behind somewhere and lost for good. We would hate for this to happen to your child. In any case, the camp staff is confident they will make the camp so fun there will be no need for the devices. If a camper must have a cell phone present, we ask that the camper follow a simply phone etiquette. Please ensure the ringer is set to low or vibrate and that campers understand that texting while involved in camp activities is not only discouraged but also unfair to their fellow campers. If one must call or text someone outside of a break or lunchtime, the campers are asked to first check with their counselor to determine an appropriate time for this to take place. Pizza/Treat Day The first Friday of every session is Pizza Day. The cost is $5 (for pizza, pop and goodies). The last day to submit pizza money (for most it will have been included in the registration payment) is the first Wednesday of the session. Make sure you have specified your preferences on your registration form or to the camp director by the first Thursday of the session. Puppetry Puppetry is another type of theatre, just not with the normal live actors we are used to. There are so many different kinds of puppets but at camp we may be making hand puppets with socks. Old socks from home! We have all the materials like googley eyes and yarn, etc, but we may ask your child to come one day with a couple of old, solid coloured socks. Masks Although mask work is not very popular in North America, it is a very popular art form and mode of theatre in many other countries. So, we dedicate a day to masks, making them, learning their use and then creating and performing scenes with them. The mask foundations are made out of cereal boxes so, starting on the first day, if you have an empty cereal box, we would be grateful if you could send them with your child by the first Thursday of the session. As we will also be painting the masks, make sure your camper has a Painting Shirt with them on the first Thursday (ie. one that you will not be upset if it goes out one shade and comes back with every colour under the rainbow on it). Improv Day The first Wednesday of each session features a half day Improv workshop for campers aged 10 and up. These sessions are run by Steve Hobbs, Act One s resident Improv instructor. Campers aged 10 and 11 will work with Steve in the morning and campers aged 12-14 will spend the afternoon with him. Both groups will be exposed to a wide range of Improv games, concepts and techniques. Awards Day Please note that on the second Thursday of the session, all campers are bussed back to the school at approx 2pm. This is for an activity that we run on the school stage. This means that on the second Thursday, any students who are normally picked up directly from the camp will have to be picked up from the school location at the end of this day. The camp day will still end at the normal 4:30pm and regular pick-up will be until 5:00pm. Performance Day The Act One Performance Day is unlike shows at other drama camps. Rather than spend the whole session working on one play (thus giving the campers only one Page 2 of 3
aspect of theatre), we work on different scenes every day that focus on a variety of theatrical aspects. During the second week, under the guidance of their counselor, each group creates, rehearses and performs their own short play at the show. We also like to showcase any additional work the campers completed or talents they may have. So, if the campers enjoyed a particular aspect of the camp, can play an instrument, dance, sing, do gymnastics, perform magic, etc., we encourage them to present it at the show. In reality, this is an opportunity for the campers to showcase all the elements of theatre and the wide range of activities that fall under the performing arts banner. The show is held at the Act One school itself, on the main stage, rather than at the Greenwood Community Centre. Campers will still go up to GCC for the morning. They will be bussed back to the school after lunch to prepare for the show. It will start around 3:00PM we suggest audience participants get there around 2:50PM. It will run 1-2 hrs depending upon number of campers and the range of pieces they want to present. As it is summer time, we recommend guests dress for comfort and coolness. Once the show is over, campers are free to leave with their families. Camp Transportation For campers families who find the school location a more convenient drop-off location, Act One provides free bussing service for the campers to and from the camp location at Greenwood Community Centre in Greenwood Park. Campers are asked to be dropped off before 9:00am at the school. As soon as all the campers are accounted for, the group will leave for the camp to maximize their camp time. We will wait a few minutes past 9:00am for those who might be running a bit late or who have contacted camp personnel in advance. Regardless of situation, the bus will leave at 9:15am. Any camper arriving at the school after the bus departure will need to find their own means of being transported directly to the camp. The bus will leave Greenwood every day (except for the final Thursday and Friday of each session (see Awards and Performance Day notes above) at 4:15pm, arriving back at the school at about 4:30pm. For those families who find it more convenient to drop-off and pick-up directly from Greenwood, we ask that you confirm this arrangement with us both in writing on your registration form and again by contacting the school the morning of the first day of the session, between 8:30 and 9:00am. Please note that those dropping off directly at GCC should aim for 9:30am. This is the approximate time the bus will arrive there. For pick-up from GCC, we advise parents to aim for 4:00pm as the bus must leave at 4:15pm sharp and we will usually be unable to leave students behind even if their normal pick-up is at GCC. Aiming for 4:00pm allows a 15 minute buffer if you are delayed due to traffic, etc. If you arrive late, most likely the camp staff will have requested your child accompany the bus back to Act One for the child s safety and you can come pick them up from the school. For those who may find themselves running late and have to drop their child off directly at GCC, a map showing the camp location relative to the school is provided below: Page 3 of 3
Please make sure that your camper remembers to bring the following items every day: Sunscreen Lots of water Lunch Snacks Hat Light, cool clothes (dark and heavy clothing attracts and retains heat) Extra pair of clothes (just in case) Bug spray Proper running shoes Any required medication Medication Notes: 1. All children taking medication require a note with them from a parent or guardian describing the nature of the drug and what it is for. 2. It should also indicate that the child has permission to self-administer the drugs. 3. If the child requires assistance from camp staff to administer the medication, the note should provide explicit permission for this and waiving of any liability towards the staff, camp and school. We also require the parents to discuss this personally with the school owner and camp director prior to any staff assistance being provided. A knapsack or shoulder bag to carry the above. NOTE: There will be some things that campers may be asked to bring on a specific day. These items are identified on the Camp Calendar and Camp Info sheets. Performance Day Show on August 19th @ approx 3:00pm: Just a reminder that the Camp Show at the end of the session is held at the school itself NOT at Greenwood Community Centre. It will start at approx 3:00pm. Campers will be bussed up to GCC in the morning but will return for 12:30pm. Family and friends attending the show are asked to arrive at the school (where most campers are dropped off or picked up) for 3:00pm. The show will last about 2 hours depending on the number of campers and how many pieces they wish to present. Complimentary refreshments will be provided. Campers are free to leave with their families following the show.
Re: Notice of Camper Pick-up Policy Dear parents and guardians, This letter outlines the school policy towards camper pick-up by persons other than their official parents or guardians. Please read carefully and if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me. Camper Pick-Up Policy Act One and its camp staff take the safety and well-being of the campers seriously and we make it a priority to do everything we can to ensure the security and enjoyment of all. As many of you will be aware, there was a tragic incident of child abduction by a family acquaintance in Ontario in 2009. As a result of the details and outcome of that event, Act One reviewed its camper pick-up policy and introduced a few new regulations governing the pick-up of campers by anyone other than their direct parents, step-parents or guardians. The revised policy is as follows: 1. If a camper is to be picked up on any day by anyone other than a direct parent or guardian, one of the camper s parents or guardian must provide the school with a simple, signed note, identifying who will be picking up their child that afternoon or on which days. 2. This note must be provided in advance (ie. an earlier day, when the camper is dropped off in the morning or at the beginning of the camp session if the person is to be picking up regularly). 3. If there was no opportunity for such a note (ie. an emergency arises, etc), the parent authorizing another party to pick their child up must call the school and either speak to Mark or leave a voice message identifying both the person who will be picking up their child and a return contact number where Heidi (the camp director) or my camp staff can reach one of the parents to confirm the pick-up person s identity. Page 1 of 2
4. Without one of the above, I have instructed my staff not to allow a camper to leave until my staff have been able to contact one of the camper s guardians or parents. I realize the above may make for some additional work or result in the occasional inconvenience but I hope you can understand the safety rationale for this policy. If you have any questions about the above, please do not hesitate to contact me. All the best, Mark Nathanielsz Artistic Director / Owner Act One School of Drama Page 2 of 2
Re: Update on Traffic Situation in the Brock Road/Plummer Street Area Dear Campers, Parents and Guardians, As of July 31 st, the City of Pickering was still engaged in road improvements along the section of Brock Road from the 401 south to Bayly Street. While this work promises to make positive changes to the traffic flow at the Plummer Street-Brock Road intersection, for the current portion of this project there unfortunately is no access to Plummer Street directly from Brock Road South, nor can vehicles on Plummer Street turn north directly onto Brock Road. This work was supposed to be completed sometime in mid-late July. It is running late but I am advised they expect things done in the next week or so, but as there is no firm date for this, I am sending this information letter to hopefully help families avoid confusion and minimize any delays and disruptions when arriving at or leaving the Act One complex. Please refer to the following points to see if your drive will be impacted: 1. Arriving at Act One: For those driving south on Brock Road: i. Please continue past Plummer Strret and turn west (right) at Bayly. ii. Follow Bayly to the first right, Salk Road. iii. Turn right on Salk Road. Follow it north to Plummer Steet (first right) iv. Turn right on Plummer Street. v. Entrance to 1755 Plummer will be first driveway on the right. For those coming from east or west Bayly Street: i. Follow Bayly to Salk Road (first right past Bayly in coming from east / left turn shortly after Fire Station on north side of Bayly if coming from west). ii. Follow Salk Road north to Plummer Steet (first right) iii. Turn right on Plummer Street. iv. Entrance to 1755 Plummer will be first driveway on the right. For those driving North on Brock Road: i. Turn west (left) at Bayly Street. ii. Follow Bayly to the first right, Salk Road. iii. Turn right on Salk Road. Follow it north to Plummer Steet (first right) iv. Turn right on Plummer Street. v. Entrance to 1755 Plummer will be first driveway on the right.
2. Leaving Act One: For those driving south on Brock Road: i. Take Plummer Strret to Brock Road ii. Turn south (right) as usual For those needing to go west on Bayly Street: i. Take Plummer Strret to Brock Road ii. Turn south (right) as usual onto Brock Rd. iii. Turn right on Bayly. iv. Alternatively, one can exit the complex onto Salk Road v. Go south on Salk to Bayly vi. Turn right on Bayly For those needing to go east on Bayly Street: i. Take Plummer Strret to Brock Road ii. Turn south (right) as usual onto Brock Rd. iii. Turn left on Bayly st traffic lights. iv. Alternatively, one can exit the complex onto Salk Road v. Go south on Salk to Bayly vi. Turn left on Bayly and continue past Brock intersection. For those needing to go north on Brock Road: i. Exit the complex onto Salk Road ii. Go south on Salk to Bayly iii. Turn left on Bayly and proceed to Brock Road intersection. iv. Turn left onto Brock Road at traffic lights. Hopefully the above is helpful to everyone. If anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school. Sincerely, Mark Nathanielsz