Summer Arts Program in Sleepy Hollow Provides and Immersive Experience

As you enter Kingsland Point Park in Sleepy Hollow you are greeted by an energetic voice shouting “Hola,” accompanied by a friendly wave and a bright smile. Here you find Anna Povich de Mayor, Tarrytown Summer Arts Camp Director, greeting approximately 120 happy campers and their families, ready to start the day. Ms. Povich de Mayor lovingly runs the Tarrytown Arts Camp, which allows children in grades K-5 the chance to immerse themselves in the arts.
Approximately a quarter of a century ago, Alison Paul, former grant writer for the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns, had an idea to keep children interested and engaged in the arts during the summer months. Ms. Paul created the Tarrytown Arts Camp to allow students the opportunity to express themselves through different mediums.

Approximately a decade ago, while finding her chi during a yoga class, Anna Povich de Mayor met Alison Paul. They bonded over their love of all things creative and decided to collaborate. Ms. Povich de Mayor has a passion for music and wanted to incorporate that aspect into the camp.
What makes this three-week summer camp unique is the way it provides children with the ability to connect with different cultures, expand their social skills, and be mentally and physically active. “I wanted to bring in different themes to the camp, different artists to connect to the theme,” Ms. Povich de Mayor said. “We have children of diverse backgrounds, and this brings them together.” The camp allows children to paint, sing, and do physical activities such as dancing and yoga. They have hosted renowned performers such as musicians and even a ballerina that was sent from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.

Each year a topic is determined, and the weeks are broken down to give children the chance to experience something unique. For this year Ms. Povich de Mayor said they are “’Discovering Ancient Cultures,’ we have Arabic, Jewish, and Keltic traditions. We have a family who was so excited because they are of Arabic descent.”

During Covid the camp charged on. “This program is really important to our families,” said Ms. Povich de Mayor. “We went virtual, had children go outside to collect materials.” Knowing that here was still a demand for the program, she reached out to the then Mayor of Sleepy Hollow, who connected her with the Recreation & Parks Department. She was able to secure Kingsland Point Park as a place to host the camp. The park is truly a hidden gem, the campers get to use it in a way that is unique and fun for them. “The park allows us to connect with the trees and nature and because of its size and amenities, accommodates more campers,” Ms. Povich de Mayor said. “We are respectful of the park by making sure to clean up after ourselves when we are done each day.”
Over the years the camp has expanded exponentially, allowing more children the chance to take part in the program. Although Ms. Paul has since stepped back from running the camp, she still plays an active role in the program. She currently serves as the grant writer and consultant, pulling in donations that help fund the program. The Public Schools of the Tarrytowns provide breakfast and lunch for the campers and equipment for their physical activities, so the children can refuel and stay active. The camp even has a first aid certified nurse on site to make sure the children are cared for properly.

With the help of several donors such as the Alison Paul Scholarship Fund, Westchester Community Foundation, Rivertown Runners, and the Pocantico Center of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund the Tarrytown Arts Camp is able to keep enrollment fees affordable. This allows families of all economic situations the chance to take part in this unique cultural experience.