Media Contact: Barbara Fornasiero; EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466
Birmingham, Mich.—June 9, 2021—FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation, providing artistic opportunities and recreational therapy for individuals with special needs since 1951, and celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, announces the return of its annual Camp Sing Out: A Musical Theater Camp. The camp sessions will be held from July 12 to July 23 at FAR’s Birmingham location. The camp is popular and fills to capacity each summer.
Camp Sing Out operates Monday through Friday for two weeks starting July 12, and campers may select a morning session, from 9 a.m. to noon, or an afternoon session, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The camp is open to individuals with a variety of special needs, ages 12 to 25, and will be compliant with all CDC and State of Michigan COVID-19 guidelines.
“We are so excited to return to our annual Camp Sing Out tradition this year while keeping the health and safety of our campers first and foremost,” Pamela Ayres, FAR President said. “Our FAR friends and their families eagerly await this opportunity to renew friendships and build new relationships among the campers as they express their unique joy and talents through musical theater.”
Camp Sing Out was developed in response to the success of FAR’s inclusive musical theater program. Using musical theater as a platform, Camp Sing Out enhances social skills and increases self-esteem through music, song, and dance. A uniquely effective component to FAR’s theater workshop is the peer mentor program. The mentors are typically teens who volunteer their time to attend the workshop with their theater buddy. Campers and peer mentors work alongside FAR therapists to bring characters to life through music and movement.
Camp Sing Out is funded in part by a Heart Committee grant from Variety the Children’s Charity. The cost is $300 for the two-week camp and scholarships are available. Complete camp information and registration can be found on the FAR website. The non-sectarian FAR has been headquartered in donated space at the First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham, 1669 W. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009 since 1964. Camp Sing Out will also be held there.
FAR is the Detroit area’s primary resource for fully integrated creative arts and recreational therapy for individuals with special needs and serves about 1,500 kids and adults of all ages and diagnoses each year. With the guidance of more than 20 board certified therapists and support staff, FAR evaluates clients to assess their individual needs and sensitivities before developing a treatment program which best suits them. Clients have access to a variety of artistic disciplines and recreational activities, including music, visual arts, recreational therapy and dance movement therapy, in one-on-one and group settings. The organization has additional partnerships with other non-profit organizations and 30 local schools and 11 school districts to introduce students with special needs to creative arts and recreational therapy within their familiar educational environment.
The Annual FAR Friends fundraising gala event at Seligman Performing Arts Center at Country Day Upper School will return in November 2021 to celebrate FAR’s 70th anniversary, with details to be announced shortly.
About FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation
Founded in 1951, FAR is Metropolitan Detroit’s primary, local, non-profit resource providing fully integrated creative arts options and recreational therapy for individuals of all ages with physical, intellectual, and/or emotional challenges. FAR also promotes public understanding of the abilities and potential of people with special needs and showcases its clients’ talents through a variety of entertainment-themed events. FAR’s outreach is strengthened through its partnerships with schools, school districts, and community organizations. Learn more at https://www.far-therapy.org/.
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