Theater Summer Camp Philosophy

We are a residential summer camp for children interested in the Performing Arts. Our program is educationally oriented, with an emphasis on process rather than product; and growth, learning, safety and caring are our highest priorities. Our program is geared towards beginning and intermediate students.

The Small Camp Idea

We believe that a small camp is a happy camp, so rather than expanding our camp's capacity over the years, we have created multiple small camps. Everyone knows everyone at each of our camps. With never more than 140 campers, and always at least 45 staff, we maintain very small communities with an outstanding child-adult ratio (typically 3:1). No one feels lost, and everyone "fits in." Campers attest to how easy it is to make friends here, even for the most introverted of kids. Parents tell us how much confidence their experience camp has given their children.

Cabin sizes also remain small, with usually 8-12 campers and at least two counselors living in each bunk. Only our cabins are organized by age and grade; all of our program areas mix ages and genders, allowing campers to make friends and work creatively alongside a diverse group of fellow campers. Superb individual attention and an open, non-competitive environment serve as the foundation of The Ballibay Camps' truly unique and supportive communities.

Non-Competitive Program

Among our key philosophies is a commitment to a noncompetitive environment. There are no awards, prizes, or inclusion and exclusion based on judging, scoring, or grading of any type in our arts program areas. Our teachers provide feedback, advice, and encouragement; they encourage campers to pursue interests, and to observe others to gain insight and inspiration.

There are many summer programs offering performing arts training that prepare children for the highly competitive professional arts world. This is not our mission. We want the experience of artmaking to be rich and fulfilling, and free of the concerns of the professional world.

We take pride in attracting campers from an extremely broad range of skill and experience levels, and providing an environment in which all campers have ample opportunities for growth.

An Emphasis on Process

The road that leads to a completed project, artwork or performance is the most valuable to the student, regardless of the final outcome. If the process of development and discovery is positive, then valuable learning and growth have occurred.

This philosophy does not mean that the product is unimportant; we expect campers to make a commitment to the activities they have chosen and follow through with them. Whatever campers elect to be involved in, be it drama, tennis, or musical instruction; they need to meet their commitment to a project or study through its completion. Should a camper want to change commitment to a program he or she has selected there is ample opportunity to do so, but this is always done through discussion with his or her instructors.