By Jeremy Adragna
C & G Staff Writer

MADISON HEIGHTS — Whether they want to be a movie star or a pop star, kids in Madison Heights can get a big boost this summer with two new creative day camps.

The Madison Heights Parks and Recreation Department is scheduled to put on its new Actors Camp three days per week beginning on July 9. Those that enroll will learn all about improvisation and theater. The class meets between 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Madison Heights Senior Center, 29448 John R.   

The program is a slightly altered version of a drama class that the Recreation Department has offered throughout the school year. Organizers believe the program can help some kids develop social and conversational skills while they’re having fun at the same time.

Throughout the two-week camp, kids will learn lines from a play, “Fairy Tale Café,” which will be performed as the culmination of everything they learn at Actors Camp. A special performance of the play will be put on at the senior center at 6 p.m. on July 19.

“It’s a spin-off of the class,” said Recreation Director Jenny Martin, “They’ll put on a play for their families at the end.”

Recreation officials are also gearing up for the first-ever Rock-N-Roll Camp, which will be held for one week at the Civic Center Park building. The program is for beginner and intermediate musicians that want nothing more in life then to rock on stage. Officials ask that participants have at least three months experience on an instrument before signing up for the course, which runs for five days between July 21 and July 25.

“The Rock-N-Roll Camp is going to be really exciting,” said Martin. “The kids will learn and put together a concert at the end. Both of these are kind of neat ideas.”

Those with experience on the guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboard or in singing are encouraged to sign up and join one of many rock bands that will form during the camp. Campers will practice a song with their band mates, then put on a performance at the end of the week.

The Rock-N-Roll Camp is put on by Cyber Music Gear, 31908 Ryan Road in Warren. Nick Karpinsky, one of the program’s instructors, said kids will learn things about the music industry they might not have known before.

“We’re going to be teaching them more advanced things on their instrument, as well as picking a song or two to perform,” said Karpinsky. “They’re going to really learn to be in a band and that aspect of being a musician in the real world.”

Each camp requires registration. Actors Camp costs $60 for residents and $64 for non-residents. Rock-N-Roll Camp costs $75 for residents and $79 for non-residents.

If neither event draws excitement out of your child, the summer program for Little House on Hales was set to kick off on June 23. The program runs every weekday until August 8 and includes field trips, art club, fitness club and plenty of events throughout the summer. Little House on Hales is an after-school program for middle-school children located at 27301 Hales.

Call (248) 589-2294 for more information. 

You can reach Staff Writer Jeremy Adragna at jadragna@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1101.