Summer Camp | Handbook
Education Team
EG Engle, Director of Education
Mary Katherine Smith, Camps & Community Programs Manager
Morgan Southard, Education Program Manager
Cat Koski, Education Operations & Administrative Manager
Karen Steele, Resident Teaching Artist
Breana Venablé, Resident Teaching Artist
Meet our Teaching Artists
Mary Katherine Smith, Camps & Community Programs Manager
Morgan Southard, Education Program Manager
Cat Koski, Education Operations & Administrative Manager
Karen Steele, Resident Teaching Artist
Breana Venablé, Resident Teaching Artist
Meet our Teaching Artists
Early Childhood Camp Orientation
Early Childhood parents and guardians are asked to attend the first 15 minutes of the first day of camp for a brief orientation. NOTE: Early Childhood campers must be 3 by June 1st, 2024, and be fully-potty trained (able to use the restroom independently). Parking will be available underneath ImaginOn and can be accessed on 6th St. There are no orientations for all other Summer Camp programs.
*BTS - Behind the Scenes
Summer Camp Staff
Inclusive Classrooms
Lunch / Snack Policy
Absence Policy
Discipline Policy
Inclement Weather & Building Closings
Illness & Emergencies
Medication
Refund, Transfer, & Denial of Camp Services
Early Childhood parents and guardians are asked to attend the first 15 minutes of the first day of camp for a brief orientation. NOTE: Early Childhood campers must be 3 by June 1st, 2024, and be fully-potty trained (able to use the restroom independently). Parking will be available underneath ImaginOn and can be accessed on 6th St. There are no orientations for all other Summer Camp programs.
Friday Sharings & Showcases
All camps have a performance on Fridays.| Camp | Age / Grade | Sharing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Camps | Ages 3-5 | Friday, 11:30 AM |
| Primary Camps | K-2nd Grade | Friday, 2 PM |
| Performance Camps | 3rd-6th Grade | Friday, 3 PM |
| One-week Teen Acting & BTS* | 7th-12th Grade | Friday, 4 PM |
| Two-week Teen Acting & BTS* at ImaginOn |
7th-12th Grade | Friday, 7 PM & Saturday, 2 PM |
| Two-week Teen Acting & BTS* at CPCC Levine (Matthews) |
7th-12th Grade | Friday, 5 PM |
| One-Week Teen Acting at CPCC Levine (Matthews) | 7th-12th Grade | Friday 4:30 PM |
Communication With Families
We are committed to providing you with all the information needed to be prepared and have a wonderful camp experience!- Three weeks prior to the first day of camp you will receive a reminder email with brief information about your camp and a reminder about our cancellation policy. This reminder is sent to the email address you used at registration.
- Wednesday prior to the first day of camp you will receive an email with important information about camp. If you do not receive this email, please contact the Education Department.
- Wednesday during the week of your child’s camp, you will receive an email with important information regarding your child’s Sharing/Showcase that Friday.
Policies and Other Information
Click on a heading to learn more...Summer Camp Staff
Children's Theatre of Charlotte is proud to employ theatre arts educators who hold personal creative drive and professionalism in our classrooms to inspire young people to excel on stage, and in life.
We strive to recruit highly qualified Teaching Artists who are equipped with extensive experience, training, and passion for creating a culture of creativity, nurture, and excitement for the next generation of theatre enthusiasts.
All Summer Camp Counselors are required to complete a minimum of 40 training hours including, but not limited to: First-Aid, CPR, and AED.
Our High School Junior Interns are handpicked from the community of experienced and responsible young adults eager to learn from industry professionals in the field.
We take pride in the expectations we set for our Summer Staff and hold them to the highest standard.
We strive to recruit highly qualified Teaching Artists who are equipped with extensive experience, training, and passion for creating a culture of creativity, nurture, and excitement for the next generation of theatre enthusiasts.
All Summer Camp Counselors are required to complete a minimum of 40 training hours including, but not limited to: First-Aid, CPR, and AED.
Our High School Junior Interns are handpicked from the community of experienced and responsible young adults eager to learn from industry professionals in the field.
We take pride in the expectations we set for our Summer Staff and hold them to the highest standard.
Inclusive Classrooms
All classes and camps at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte are inclusive. Open communication with families helps us create a successful environment for every student. The Education Staff will note any allergies, chronic illness, or medical conditions that were listed on your registration form. This information is only shared with Education Staff as necessary.
Contact Mary Katherine Smith if you want to discuss your child's needs further or have any tips or strategies to help them be successful.
Contact Mary Katherine Smith if you want to discuss your child's needs further or have any tips or strategies to help them be successful.
Lunch / Snack Policy
Snacks (all camps) and lunches (full-day camps only) should be packed with campers daily. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is a nut-free facility, so no nut products of any kind should be packed with campers in snacks or lunches. If campers have nut products packed, they will be isolated from the other campers during snack/lunch time that day and the administration will make a call home to parents/guardians.
Absence Policy
Students should plan to attend the entire week(s) of camp. Each camp day builds on activities from the previous day, and absences affect preparation for the Sharings and Showcases on Friday. There are no refunds or make-up sessions for missed camps. For illnesses or other sudden unavoidable absences notify the Education Department.
Discipline Policy
Our goal is that every child will have a wonderful experience during their camp week, and we encourage positive reinforcement and conflict management and resolution. In the case that we encounter behavior that negatively impacts the camp environment, the following incremental course of action will be taken:
1. Teaching Artist/Summer Staff will talk with the child individually.
2. Camper is asked to step away from the camp activity until the Teaching Artist/Summer Staff invites the camper to return.
3. Teaching Artist/Summer Staff will speak with the parent/guardian after camp and/or send an email.
4. If the behavior continues, Education Staff contacts the parent/guardian and further action is determined. Grounds for immediate suspension or removal include but are not limited to causing physical harm, putting him/herself or other students in danger, and harmful behaviors towards staff.
2. Camper is asked to step away from the camp activity until the Teaching Artist/Summer Staff invites the camper to return.
3. Teaching Artist/Summer Staff will speak with the parent/guardian after camp and/or send an email.
4. If the behavior continues, Education Staff contacts the parent/guardian and further action is determined. Grounds for immediate suspension or removal include but are not limited to causing physical harm, putting him/herself or other students in danger, and harmful behaviors towards staff.
Inclement Weather & Building Closings
If the ImaginOn building is closed due to severe weather or some other emergency, we will not hold camps. We will send out a text alert through EZ Text. Please make sure your account has your current cell number listed as the preferred number. Text alerts will be sent to the preferred number. You may also check the ctcharlotte.org homepage for updated information.
Illness & Emergencies
Students exhibiting the following symptoms are not permitted to attend camp:
♦ Fever - Defined as having a temperature of 100.5°F or higher.
♦ Vomiting - Students must be vomit-free for a minimum of 12 hours.
♦ Rash or Spots - Defined as frequent scratching of the body or scalp, lice, rash, or any other spots that resemble childhood diseases, including ringworm.
If a camper becomes ill during camp, the parent/guardian will be contacted to pick them up. If they cannot be reached, the staff will call the emergency contact listed on the registration form. In the event of a serious emergency, 911 will be called first.
♦ Fever - Defined as having a temperature of 100.5°F or higher.
♦ Vomiting - Students must be vomit-free for a minimum of 12 hours.
♦ Rash or Spots - Defined as frequent scratching of the body or scalp, lice, rash, or any other spots that resemble childhood diseases, including ringworm.
If a camper becomes ill during camp, the parent/guardian will be contacted to pick them up. If they cannot be reached, the staff will call the emergency contact listed on the registration form. In the event of a serious emergency, 911 will be called first.
Medication
We will never administer a drug of any type, even with parental consent. This includes Tylenol, Advil, etc. Therefore, all medication must be self-administered by the student. *The exception to this would be emergency administrating of an EpiPen by trained staff members. If the medicine must be administered by a parent/guardian, we are happy to make any arrangements. Please enter any important allergies, chronic illness, or medical conditions during the registration process. If you have already registered and would like to add this information, please contact our Education Department.
Refund, Transfer, & Denial of Camp Services
Refunds: Full refunds are available for cancellations two weeks prior to the camp start date. Transfers can be made for emergency circumstances following that time, if available. As of the first day of camp, all sales are final.
Refund / Transfer Request
Denial of Service: Refunds will not be granted for denial of services. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte reserves the right to deny camp services if one or more of the following conditions exist:
Refund / Transfer Request
Denial of Service: Refunds will not be granted for denial of services. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte reserves the right to deny camp services if one or more of the following conditions exist:
- The camper refuses to participate in the program.
- The camper causes physical harm to another child or staff member.
- The staff cannot provide adequate or safe care to other campers due to the behaviors of the camper.
Videography & Photography
Videography and photography are permitted for most Sharings and Showcases except when prohibited by copyright law. Recordings are for at home, personal use only. Please don’t post these on social media. We ask you to avoid flash photography of any kind during the performance. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte does not produce or sell videotapes. Photographs of students in camp taken by Education Staff may be used in promotional materials.| CAMP | VIDEO | PHOTO | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Camps (ages 3-5) | Yes | Yes | |
| Primary Camps (rising K-2nd Grade) | Yes | Yes | |
| Performance Camps (rising 3rd-6th Grade) | |||
| Somewhat True Story of Robin Hood | No | Yes | |
| Jungle Book KIDS | Yes | Yes | |
| Aristocats KIDS | Yes | Yes | |
| Finding Nemo KIDS | Yes | Yes | |
| Teen Studios (rising 7th-12th Grade) | |||
| ALL 1-week Teen Studios | Yes | Yes | |
| Into the Woods Jr | No | Yes | |
| High School Musica Jr | Yes | Yes | |
| Sherlock Holmes | No | Yes | |
| Les Misérables School Edition | No | No | |
| Shakespeare Rep | Yes | Yes | |
Have Any Questions?
Box Office / Customer ServiceEmail | 704-973-2828 (12-5 PM, M-F)
Education Operations & Administrative Manager
Cat Koski | 704-973-2837
Camps & Community Programs Manager
Mary Katherine Smith | 704-973-2835
ImaginOn
Website | 704-416-4600
Summer Camp Office Hours
Mon - Fri 8:15-5:15 PM
Sat & Sun - Closed
Summer Camp offices will be closed the week of July 1-5
Tax Information
Our Tax ID number is 56-1028031.
Thank you for participating in the education programs at Children's Theatre of Charlotte!
