Kids forge lifelong friendships and skills at C.A.K.E. and CupCAKE

CupCAKE, ages 4 through grade 3, operates June 26-30, July 31-Aug 4, Aug 7-11 and/or Aug 14-18, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (early drop-off between 8-9 a.m. and aftercare available). Families can register child(ren) for up to four weeks; $225 per week.

For more information or to enroll, visit MoCo Arts at 40 Roxbury Street in Keene, email info@moco.org or call 603-357-2100. Space is limited. Families registering multiple children will receive 10 percent off.

C.A.K.E.’s secret ingredient — helping kids explore and showcase their creativity

Launched in 2001, C.A.K.E. empowers children and teens to delve into the arts in highly personalized ways. Campers as young as 8 years old choose between performing or visual arts tracks and select from a range of classes, creating their own unique full or half day morning or afternoon schedule. From creative writing and film, to mixed media and sewing, to guitar and creative tabletop games like Dungeons and Dragons, MoCo Arts goes beyond the average camp experience, generating opportunities for students to try new things in a welcoming, supportive setting while building skills and friendships they take with them throughout their lives.

“C.A.K.E. is truly a unique experience. It’s multi-age and multi-arts which means students don't stay in the same classes or same age groups all day. This allows for the exchange of ideas, lived experiences, and abilities to intermingle,” said C.A.K.E. Musical Theatre Director Dominic DiBenedetto. “C.A.K.E. staff are either certified teachers, well experienced artists, or both. Students are receiving an incredible program.” Dominic’s dream class schedule would be The Art of Food, Chainmail Jewelry, Vocal Workshop, C.A.K.E.’s One Act and Musical Theatre.

Important lessons outside of class include working through mistakes, and how to encourage and support peers. Each week, campers showcase projects during The C.A.K.E. Mix shows in MoCo’s theatre. Whether it be a new dance, a film they produced, a song, painting or piece of writing, students demonstrate whatever they want to share. Students who prefer not to perform participate behind the scenes, assisting with costumes and technical aspects for the show.

The fourth week of C.A.K.E. is festival week — an exciting time for campers filled with musicals, art exhibits, one-act plays, dance performances, a rock concert and more. C.A.K.E.’s distinct atmosphere of creativity and collaboration creates a positive environment for students where they can grow, expand social connections and transition through changes and into new grades or schools with confidence.

CupCAKE—bite-sized arts education that builds strong foundations

CupCAKE, a fun introduction to performing and creative arts, challenges MoCo’s younger campers to use their imagination and think in new ways. Each week features a different theme that includes singing, dancing, and creative arts projects, and culminates in a free performance on Friday showcasing what campers learned. MoCo provides props and costumes and helps kids develop important life skills like teamwork, listening, self-awareness, patience, confidence and how to support others in a group setting. “When I first signed my daughter up for a week at CupCAKE, I saw firsthand how MoCo creates positivity in children’s lives,” said parent Gordon Kendall. “Her confidence has grown, as well as her sense of belonging in her community.” CupCAKE includes outdoor playtime, arts and crafts, snack time and opportunities for children to socialize and make new friends.

Job training for future educators, arts administrators, and leaders

MoCo prides itself on offering Keene’s next community leaders the opportunity to grow not only through the arts but by contributing educational career building skills through its counselor and counselor-in-training (CIT) positions. Both camps allow teens to develop applicable job skills working with kids. Counselor Brooke Ells said, “I learned to work with others, become a leader, patience and balance, and (how to) bring out creativity in campers.” C.A.K.E. counselors teach their own dedicated classes and build on students’ skills throughout the summer. CupCAKE counselors assist the lead teacher who is a highly trained, experienced, degreed professional with their lessons, choreography, music and more. CIT’s can begin assisting counselors in C.A.K.E. classes and lessons at age 16 and CupCAKE at age 12. MoCo is proud to offer these enriching experiences as paid positions. Those who want a hybrid C.A.K.E. camp experience may work half days as CIT’s and take morning or afternoon camp classes free of charge.

Children discover the magic of the arts, the joy of friendship and learn values that will enrich their lives for years to come at MoCo Arts’ summer camps. Register today!

Established in 1991, MoCo Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, arts education organization located in downtown Keene offering year-round dance, theatre, and young arts classes for students 18 months to 18+ years, and multi-arts school vacation and summer camps. MoCo Arts provides over $79,000 in tuition assistance per year. As part of the educational process, MoCo provides professional quality performance experience for students. Funding for MoCo Arts is provided in part by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. To learn more about MoCo’s mission or ways you can support MoCo’s work, visit moco.org, call 603-357-2100 or email info@moco.org.