Up with People teams up with Camp Horizons to launch new summer camp

Long before American Idol began discovering and refining new talent or High School Musical or Glee tapped into the exuberance of young ensemble casts, Up with People pioneered these attributes while touring the world with their optimistic message of global cooperation and hope for the future.

For more than 45 years, it has provided young adults an international, educational and intercultural experience that teaches service leadership and uses the performing arts to deliver messages of hope and goodwill throughout the world.

Beginning this summer, Up with People in partnership with Camp Horizons are teaming up to provide a one-of-a-kind 3-week experience for 14 to 17 year olds. Camp Up with People located in the Harrisonburg area will be based on the core program of the international touring casts of Up with People: performing arts, community service, leadership and culture.

The two camp sessions will take place from July 3 – July 23, 2011 and again from July 24 – August 13, 2011 at Horizons at Valley Pike Retreat Center.

Further, Camp Up with People will also reflect Up with People’s international character as more than 50% of the campers come from outside the U.S.

Throughout the three-week program, Camp Up with People “cast members” will receive much of the performing arts training that Up with People’s touring cast members go through including dance workshops, vocal training, stage movement and theatrical arts. Their counselors are actually former staff and cast members from Up with People.

At the end of the three weeks, Camp Up with People cast members will put on a performance, showcasing their talents, cultures and hopes for the world that reflects the Up with People spirit.

Camp Up with People’s program will include typical camp activities, such as swimming, horseback riding, and campfires as well as some “X-TREME” activities like zip-line, rock climbing and high/low ropes courses.

Campers will visit Washington, D.C., and be involved with community service projects in the Harrisonburg area. These projects and hours served can go toward their high school graduation requirements, and look great on a college application, as they will receive an award per the Jefferson Awards Youth Service Initiative.

The public will be invited to come see these free Camp Up with People shows on Friday, July 22 and August 12 at the EMHS Auditorium in Harrisonburg. Camp Representatives, Emma Nissen (from Sweden) and Chris Pierno (from Canada) – both Up with People alumni – are currently living at Camp Horizons to promote Camp Up with People. They are available for Q&A and/or mini presentations/performances for anyone who is interested having them visit a school or organization to learn more.

Visit www.CampUpwithPeople.org, for more information on the camp program or e-mail [email protected] to contact camp staff directly.