Jitterbugs beginneth!!

Hear ye hear ye! We have now embarked on The Fabled and Legendarie Jitterbugse Sumer Programme of the year of our Lord two-thousand and sixteen, and yea there is much to relay to you!

We have already been told of a great scaly beast named Ned, and there be rumoures of all manner of  other magickal creatures near the theatre kingdomme, so we are gladde of the brave youthes who have now arrived to guard our lande against invasions and intrusions!

It is with great excitement and anticipation that I welcome you to the Stage 2 Jitterbugs Performing Arts Program! We have been buzzing around making preparations for our new and returning Jitterbugs. We are so happy to have your little ones with us for this session. We have an amazing lineup of highly qualified instructors who are dedicated to sharing their passion for the arts with your Jitterbug!

My name is Ben Bowen and I'm back for my fifth summer as Program Coordinator with Jitterbugs. We've been working really hard to get ready for all the adventures we'll have together this summer – we're so excited to see you!

Stay tuned to this blog for updates and posts about our day-to-day activities, and for important news and reminders about stuff coming up.

PROGRAMMING INFORMATION

To review, our little Jitterbugs have been divided into three groups. Each group will experience dancing, singing, acting and crafting, resulting in their very own theatre production. The productions are always on the last FRIDAY of camp at 5:00 pm located on-site in the theatre.

Camp will be held at our permanent location – The Old Firehall Arts Center at 334 Wilson Street. Because it is also home to a municipal parking lot, we would ask that all parents be extremely careful when dropping off and picking up their children as the parking lot can get quite full. (Additional parking can be found on the street, and the closest side street, Church Street.)

To ensure that all our little Jitterbugs have a fun and safe time at camp, there are a few things we would like to bring to your attention:

• Please take a few extra minutes to register your child’s attendance in the lobby downstairs on DAY ONE only
• If there is an absence, change in pick-up arrangements or anything we should be aware of, please phone (905) 304-TUNE (8863) before 8:45am. We also check messages at the end of camp (3:30pm)
• During camp we will use a sign-in procedure for all campers. This is to ensure that all children arrive and leave safely with their appropriate caregiver. Please be sure that a staff member greets you and records your child’s name. The camp arrival time is 9:00 am and departure is 3:30pm. The room will be open only 15 minutes prior to start time (8:45 am). We ask that all parents pick up their children promptly by 3:45pm.
• A contract for babysitting was mailed to you with your registration. Should you require care outside of these hours, please fill this out and return it on the first day of camp. We may not be able to accommodate last minute requests.
• Please send enough food each day for our two nutrition breaks. Since many of our campers have severe peanut allergies, please do not pack any peanut or nut products.
• Please remember to apply sunblock on your child before he or she arrives each day, and to pack sun block and sun hats.
• We ask that all campers wear loose and comfortable clothing that you wouldn’t mind getting a little mucked up (please no jeans). The building is air-conditioned and therefore you will probably want to send campers in layered clothing.

Our goal is to provide a complete theatre experience in singing, acting, dancing, and prop development. We will divide our campers into three small groups who will rotate through the day to classes in music, drama, and dance, as well as various group activities led by our dedicated instructors. There is also some collective time where the entire group participates in an activity as well as creative exploration playtime, where they can explore activities that have sparked their interest.

Here is a sample schedule so that you get a sense of what an average day at camp will look like.

9:00 – 9:30am		Arrival and opening circle
9:30 – 10:15		Class 1
10:15 – 11:15		Group Acivity 1 ~ OUTSIDE
11:15 – 12:00		Snack Break 1
12:00 – 12:45		Class 2
12:45 – 1:30		Group Activity 2
1:30 – 2:15		Snack Break 2
2:15 – 3:00		Class 3
3:00 – 3:30		Free Play / Home time

On the second Wednesday of camp — provided it's not pouring with rain — our Jitterbugs get a fun break from working hard on rehearsing their show with a walk up to the plash pad behind the Ancaster Public Library to play in the water and on the playground. On this day, please send your child already dressed in their bathing suit, with a hat and sunscreen already applied with your camper. Please note: we will not be changing your children out of their swimsuits, but instead will send try to make sure we get back from the splash pad at the same time as you are arriving to pick them up. Our staff will remind you about Wild Water Wednesdays the day before during Drop-Off and Pick-Up times.

On behalf of the Stage 2 summer staff, we thank you for enrolling your child into the Jitterbug program and we are looking forward to dancing, singing, acting, and crafting with your children...!

Sincerely,

Ben Bowen

Program Director, Jitterbugs