As the temperature kicked up last week so did the anticipation for the fun-filled week of Kids Rule Theatre Camp. Kristy Burchard, the founder and director of the program, and her team of volunteering teens and adults were ready to rock another summer of phenomenal performances. After much preparation, everyone was ready to kick off the program’s 11th year at Sacred Heart Parish School. Many of the people who helped make this program possible can be described as one big theatrical family. I was extremely fortunate to be part of this family once again as a camp counselor for one of the groups.
Burchard started the program in 2003 because she wanted to create more opportunities for her children as well as others to get involved in the theater arts during summer. Board members of the San Benito Stage Company quickly became a supporter of the idea. The program expanded to include the Encore Theater workshop for older, more experienced teens in 2005.
This year’s theme was “Kids Rule Rocks the Stage,” in which all the campers sang to rock and roll songs from the ’50s through the ’90s. More than 150 kids from San Benito County participated in the camp with high expectations of fun theater games, with new songs and dances to learn. They especially looked forward to their skits they performed for their families on the last day of camp.
On the first day, Burchard greeted the anxious campers with the traditional chant: “Hey Kids Rule! How do you feel?” In unison, everyone exclaimed, “We feel good! Oh we feel so good! Oh!” It was no secret what this year’s camp was all about when the band performed their first song, “I Love Rock N’ Roll” by Joan Jett. Following this, some of the camp counselors performed a dance to a couple of Beach Boys songs. By the end of the assembly, the energy level of all the kids was high.
The week included themed days, such as Disney day, Superhero day and Pirate day, along with workshops for different age groups and theater games to help loosen the kids up for their ensemble performance.
“All the kids loved it and enjoyed the movements,” said Kendall White, who was a camp counselor for the 9-year olds, of the ensemble sessions when all the age groups came together to practice the finale.
One of the campers in my group, Abby Chase, 13, has been coming to Kids Rule for five years.
“My favorite part was the dancing, games and theater class,” Chase said.
Like many of the kids here at camp, Abby had a lot of fun when she performed in the skit her group prepared for the final performance.
“I wish the camp was longer,” she said.
Many of the teen counselors started out as campers and have performed in SBSC shows through the years.
“Most of my counselors started out as campers and are invited personally to come back,” Burchard said. “I only get the ‘best of the best’ as counselor.”
Staff member, Laura Delano, has been a part of the program since its birth 11 years ago.
“I love seeing the kids grow over the years,” she said. “I remember how the kids that are now camp counselors were just little campers eleven years ago. It’s very cool to see how they have grown into young adults who want to come back and help Kids Rule.”
The amount of hard work, and passion that goes into making Kids Rule a success definitely showed in the final performance. From the 9-year-olds performing their skit “Fabulous” to the camp counselors surprise performance of “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life, from the original movie “Dirty Dancing” the week’s hard work and dedication paid off.
“It’s clear to me that there is a need for this type of educational fun in our community,” Burchard said. “I am thankful for the support from returning families.”
