Summer Camp Review: Wheaton Studio of Dance, Maryland Overnight Dance Camp

I picked up a child at the Wheaton Studio of Dance, Maryland overnight summer Dance Camp at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland last weekend. It was not the same child I dropped off there one week earlier. This new child can dance. I mean, really dance.

The Wheaton Studio of Dance, Maryland operates its one week overnight summer dance camp in mid-July each year at St. Mary's University. The dance camp is run by the same instructors who run the dance school in Wheaton during the school year.

The campers stay in University dormitory suites. Each suite contains 2 bedrooms for 2 with bathrooms, a room for a counselor, sitting area and kitchen.

The days at Wheaton Studio of Dance, Maryland overnight summer dance camp are structured around dance lessons. Five daily dance lessons include lyrical ballet, jazz, hip hop, musical theater and a custom dance created with the girls and their counselors. At the camp session's end, the girls perform these dances for their families.

Leisure activities at this overnight camp include 2 sessions at the University's indoor swimming pool, Talent Night, a homespun carnival, an award show, outdoor games, and watching the TV show So You Think You Can Dance.

Wheaton Studio of Dance, Maryland overnight dance camp enrolls only girls ages 8-17. The campers are divided into three groups based on dance experience. Dancers with approximately 1-3 years experience are grouped together, while more experienced dancers and older dancers are in separate groups.

My daughter had never been to an overnight camp before. Although I was comfortable with the staff, knowing them already from her attendance at the Studio's regular dance lessons, I did have questions about the use of a university campus and about the intensity of the dance camp experience.

Would young girls be safe among older students? The University locale turned out to be an asset. The staff is conscientious maintaining distance between the dance campers and others on the university campus, primarily a lacrosse camp. With safety adequately addressed, the University location provided many amenities for the campers.