About the ORCBA Summer Dance Camp:

This is the fourth year ORCBA has hosted the summer dance camp. The camp is open to all ages, as long as the camper can follow group instructions and does not require individual attention (and is potty-trained). Older dancers will also benefit from the training intensives held by the counselors. No dance experience is necessary; by the end of the week, you will be dancing!

The camp will introduce campers to street tap, interpretive, ballroom, jazz, ballet, hip hop, and modern dance techniques. Each day begins with a group class, where the entire camp will stomp, clap, snap, and make noise together. At the end of the week, campers will participate in a recital so that parents can see what their children learned during the week.

The camp is August 1 through August 5, 2011, at the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge. (For directions, click here.) Camp hours are 8AM until 2PM, with drop-off starting at 7:45AM. Late pickup can be arranged with the counselors.

For pre-school dancers (ages 3 to 5), camp hours are from 8AM until 12PM.

The cost of the camp is $55.00 per camper for pre-school, $75.00 per camper for all day; this covers the entire week, and includes lunch and snacks. No special dance clothes are required; all classes will be taught in street clothes. (Please wear shoes with socks; we will be doing dances sock-footed. NO SANDALS OR FLIP-FLOPS!!) Some of the more advanced dancers may want to wear dance attire; older boys will want to wear shorts and/or sweats with elastic legs, since they will spend a lot of time sliding on the floor.

Payment is due when you register for camp; if you do not pay when you register, then we reserve the right to release your non-paid slots when we start getting full. You may pay by check (mailed to ORCBA SDC c/o Glenn Arnold, 6628 Trousdale Road, Knoxville, TN 37921) or online using Paypal, credit card, or virtual check.

Common Questions:

1. Can I get a discount for multiple children? Can I get a scholarship? - Unfortunately, there is no grant or corporate sponsor underwriting the camp; the prices are set at the exact cost for operating the camp, and are an extremely good deal (especially since meals are included). We cannot offer discounts or scholarhips. However, you are free to find your own sponsors to offset the cost of the camp.
2. My child has peanut/milk/red dye/food allergies and/or is vegetarian; what will he/she eat? - All of our meals are healthy; for those with allergies we control their meals and offer them an alternative. Vegetarians are always served comparable meals. The menu will be posted each day in the lobby; if your child has a problem with the proposed meal for the day, it is your responsibility to provide them with something to eat. If your child has extreme allergies, we recommend you pack them a lunch each day to prevent any misunderstandings.
3. How are my child's food/medical needs monitored? - When you register your child, you will enter all food and medical issues in their record. Each day when your camper arrives, he or she will receive a sticker with their name, primary phone number and medical/food information printed on it. This sticker is worn on their chest the entire day, so that any Counselor or Camp Mommy can instantly know what needs your child has. PLEASE NOTE: You must specify allergies in the proper slot on the registration; please check your child's name tag the first day of camp and make sure any/all allergies are listed on the name tag. We cannot rely on your child to tell us they have a particular allergy. (Also, a child will often claim an allergy where none exists so that they can eat differently at camp; this behavior is discouraged.)
4. How is discipline handled at camp? - We assume your camper is here to dance! Last year we had very few discipline issues, and all the campers went home happy and tired. We do not force your camper to dance, and will call you if they seem miserable. If your camper is disruptive, they will be given the option to participate or go home; if we call you because your camper is disruptive or extremely miserable, you will need to come pick your camper up.
5. My camper was miserable/disruptive and will not be returning for the rest of the week... can I get a refund? - No.
6. My camper has no rhythm/direction and/or has two left feet... will he/she really learn to dance? - Yes! And we will have a recital on Friday afternoon to prove it!!
7. When do I have to pay for camp? - Camp must be paid for when you register, or your slot may be given away. You can pay online with PayPal, credit card or virtual check. To mail a check, send it to ORCBA Summer Camp, c/o Glenn Arnold, 6628 Trousdale Road, Knoxville, TN 37921.
8. Why do I have to sign a medical release? - The medical release is in the unlikely event of an accident where we cannot get in touch with you, so we can have your camper treated at Methodist Medical Center. (We keep first aid kits at the camp for minor boo-boos.)
9. My child is "special needs"; will he/she do well at camp? - We do not have a very large staff; if your child's needs require one-on-one attention, then we do not think our camp is appropriate. If your camper is comfortable with group interaction and can take instructions from someone new in their life, then they are ready for our camp.

If you have specific questions, please e-mail the Camp Coordinator, Glenn Arnold, at garnold@orcba.org, or leave a message at 865-898-4637; keep in mind that there are many people who have questions, so allow a day or two for a reply before calling again.