The owners of Xtreme Cheer and Dance have decided to run a free fine arts camp during the first week in September, if the teachers are still on strike.
Xtreme owners Karen Hall and Lisa Bosch said they got the idea to put on the free camp to show their support for teachers and parents.
“We thought it could alleviate some stress in the community surrounding the start of the school year,” said Hall.
While talks have resumed between the B.C. Teachers Federation and the B.C. government, it doesn’t look hopeful an agreement will be reached before the start of the school year, leaving thousands of parents scrambling to find care for their children.
Parents are already wondering what to do if the strike continues.
The fine arts camp is for ages four to 17 and for boys and girls.
The hours of the camp are 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with drop-off as early as 8 a.m.
“We originally thought we would make the camp 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. but then we realized that won’t help parents who have to work,” said Hall.
The free camp will offer art, tricking and tumbling, cheer, yoga, musical theatre and theatre sports and improv.
They are able to take up to 100 kids in their new 8,000 square foot facility at Unit 104-6350 204 Street (kitty corner to Costco).
“We have a great new space with a fully sprung gym floor,” said Hall.
All the instructors are certified dance coaches but for this free camp, the group is extending its expertise to bring new elements.
“One of our instructors was just certified as a yoga instructor and another has a degree in theatre, another has a degree in arts and will be teaching the arts class. They are all looking forward to doing something different with their skills.”
The free camp will run from Sept. 2 to 5.
Susan Colorado has her three girls at the dance studio and wanted to help spread the word about this camp.
“My girls, age 8, 12 and 14 love it there and we thought this was such a great idea for Karen and Lisa to do this for parents and for kids,” said Colorado.
She plans to spread the word about the free camp to her parent friends and help out in anyway she can.
It won’t cost anything other than a small insurance fee of $20 (if the child is new to the studio). That insurance is for one year at the facility.
Interested parents can register children online at www.xtremecheeranddance.com or call Karen at 604-613-4090 or Lisa at 604-512-4840.
They can be reached by email at xtremecheeranddance@gmail.com.