By Khalida Sarwari
Saratoga children with a flair for theatrics may want to listen up: This February, Montalvo will offer two opportunities to get into character at a pair of weeklong winter camps where kids can learn or improve important skills during the city’s annual school break.
The spy camp and circus arts camp will both run from Feb. 18 to 22. They are suitable for children ages 6-13.
“Most schools in the area have that week off, so what we like to do is take that opportunity to provide continuing education in the arts,” said Charlee Wagner, camp director at Montalvo.
The aim of circus arts, a camp that Wagner noted was “wildly popular when it was offered last winter, is to teach kids the basics of circus skills in a fun, safe and challenging environment. The camp promotes coordination and balance through engagement in creative movement and performance art.
“It’s a really great way to develop self-confidence and discipline all in the name of having fun,” said Wagner.
Over the course of the camp, kids will learn how to juggle, tumble, build pyramids and walk on a ball, among other things. The camp will culminate on Feb. 22 with a performance in the main hall, where the kids will demonstrate the skills they’ve learned throughout the week for their parents.
This year will mark the third that Montalvo has offered the spy camp, which is very much centered on espionage and adventure, according to Wagner. In this camp, kids get to create their own identities and codes in order to complete various assignments around the grounds of Montalvo and design a 3D map of the property.
The camp promotes problem-solving, critical analysis and spatial orientation by way of role-playing and exploration.
“It’s really kind of a multidisciplinary arts camp that’s really trying to engage kids’ creativity,” Wagner said.
Each camp session is three hours long, with the first camp running from 9 a.m. to noon and the second from 1 to 4 p.m. There is a supervised lunch from noon to 1 p.m. and Montalvo will also offer morning and afternoon care for $10 per session.
The cost for the half day camp is $175 for the general public and $160 for members. For the full day camp, including the supervised lunch, the cost is $350 for the general public and $320 for members. Montalvo is offering scholarships for families who may not be able to afford the cost.
To register for either camp, call Wagner at 408.913.7460 or email her at camp@montalvoarts.org. Parents can also sign up online at montalvoarts.org/programs/win tercamps. Registration deadline is noon on Feb. 15.
Children can become circus stars, spies at Montalvo winter camps
