Young at Arts Spends a Week at Incarnation Camp

As I drove down the narrow path leading into the rocky “parking lot” of Incarnation Center, where all of Young at Arts was to stay for the week, I immediately felt at home. The familiar green of the woods, singing of cicadas, sound of tires driving over rocks, apple orchard, basketball courts and gaga ball pit, teepees, and bunk beds welcomed me back.

Despite this feeling of familiarity, I knew this year’s camp experience would be completely different. I was no longer a camper, intern, or even program member, but one of the 8 chaperones. I was ready to experience the program from a different point of view.

My very first job as a chaperone was to check-in each camper as they arrived, and as I did so I felt a surge of pride. This year’s Young at Arts camp was an accurate representation of the very heart and soul of the program. It brought together 43 children from different schools and choirs - campers represented middle and high schools from Bronxville, Eastchester, Scarsdale and Mt. Vernon.

Like a classic summer camp environment, Incarnation Center offers hiking, sports, cooking, and arts and crafts. On top of this, every camper participated in choral rehearsals. Groups differed - kids focused on drama, acapella or rock band.

This year’s camp experience was filled with more magic than previous years as 43 campers created art together and became a family. Whether they were experiencing YAA for the first time or were seasoned veterans, campers were inspired to try new things, growing as artists and individuals. Chaperones encouraged the kids as they wrote original songs, performed in front of each other (and the lifeguards!) and sung / acted all day.

As a chaperone, I watched each student grow over the course of the week. It was an honor to be given a position to support the campers as they explored their own talents and abilities, found their voices, became comfortable in a new environment, and auditioned for solos.

I made it my mission to pass on to the students what I gained from my 10 years at Young at Arts. YAA gave me a strong passion for the arts, confidence, and a second family. Through Young at Arts I was encouraged to attend New Rochelle High School and apply for the PAVE program. I have gained leadership skills, assurance, social skills, and developed a pretty amazing work ethic. And now that I guide the younger members of the program, I get to share so much of what I’ve been given. This fall I will study acting at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, under an annual scholarship.

As the week came to a close, chaperones and students were reluctant to leave, turning to social media and group chats to hold onto their new Young at Arts family. I was overcome with joy seeing everyone come together under the magic of Young at Arts.

For more information about programs and choirs of YAA, please visit youngatartsny.org

Here is a video from YAA’s Camp! https://youtu.be/HvlfXh8mPD0

Written by Talia Oliveras, Freshman at Tisch School of the Arts and YAA Alumnae