Although it won't be here until June, local parents have to act now to sign their children up for a new day camp coming to Thomson. New Hope Baptist Church is hosting the week-long arts camp with Frick and Frack Music.
The camp will run from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., June 2-6 for children 6-12 years old. A crew from Frick and Frack Music will be on hand to teach a musical, He's the One That I Want, complete with auditions, intensive rehearsals, performing arts instruction and a finished public performance.
"They bring a crew of nine or 10 people, the props, the costumes, scenery, lights, everything," organizer Dianne Norris said. "And they take 100 kids and turn them into actors in one week."
With a theme of friendship, choices and God's amazing love, the style of the musical is similar to Grease, according to Ms. Norris, and daily small-group Bible studies will be included. Snacks will be provided every day, but the children must bring their own lunch. Ms. Norris said she will have activities earlier in the morning, and extended afternoon hours for parents who work.
"So it's a good, old-fashioned day camp," said April Keene, another organizer.
The ladies discovered Frick and Frack Music on the internet a couple of years ago when they were looking for Vacation Bible School material. They immediately signed up, but were put on a waiting list.
Frick and Frack has never been in the CSRA area before, which was the drawing card for New Hope.
"We want to reach more than just the normal church crowd," Pastor Allen Holbrook said. "It feeds our philosophy of looking for non-traditional ways to reach the community. We don't ever do anything like everybody else does."
Although no prior musical training or talent is required, the camp/musical is limited to 100 participants. Spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 29 at the church. The camp fee is $60, with half due at registration, and the balance due on May 10. The fee includes the music for the participant, a listening CD, camp T-shirt and costume rental.
"So if (the parents) don't take them to daycare that week, and let them stay with us for the $60, they come out ahead," Pastor Holbrook said.
The final performance by the children of the Broadway-style musical will be at 6:30 p.m., Friday, June 6.
New Hope Baptist is located at 1424 Cobbham Road. Call 706-595-2279 for more information.
