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28 Hudson Valley Parent n February 2018 "They learned various skills, such as reading scripts and memorizing lines," says the 37-year-old Newburgh- based mom. "They also learned how to sing and harmonize." Kaelyn participated in the one- week, half-day theme camp that consisted of crafts, dance and music leading up to a performance for fami- lies on the last day. Jonathan participated in the two- week, full-day theater camp that included a trip to New York City to see a Broadway show. "The final day of class, the students put on a full musical production," says Black. "Jonathan has performed in Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast and The Wizard of Oz." Her children loved the artsy camp so much that they carried over By LISA IANNUCCI S ummer days full of dodgeball games and braiding friendship bracelets are great, but camps that foster learning and creativity are even better. Camps like this are a great way for kids to learn during the summer, bust summer brain drain, learn new skills and find talents they didn't even know they had. Camps inspire a love for the arts Jillian Black sent her 10-year-old son, Jonathan, and 7-year-old daughter, Kaelyn, to the Hudson Valley Conservatory's summer program for the past three years. She chose the Walden-based camp because her children love theater and acting. their skills and passion for the arts throughout the year. "After their second year of camp, they started participating in the program that runs from September through May where they participate in a holiday show, a fall and winter Coffeehouse and a spring recital." Learn through hands-on play Renae Essinger, the founder of PlayWorks in Beacon, believes that any opportunity for a child to learn is valid and important, whether the knowledge or skills stay with them or not. "Your brain is a muscle, and any use of it will only make it stronger," she says. "That being said, summertime learning is more likely to stay with Make the most out of summer Send your kids to a camp that fosters learning and creativity Jillian Black's children learned how to sing, harmonize and memorize lines at a theater camp in Walden. They loved the camp so much, they now both take classes all year long.