Our minds drift toward the warm glow of summer as the cold winds of winter buffets through campus. Bright and sunny days filled with joy, laughter, and wonder echoing throughout Charles River School’s 16 acres may seem far away, but it is never too early to get excited about CRS Summer 2025! We are really looking forward to our Charles River Creative Arts Program (CRCAP), Creative Starts, Musical Theater Production, and CIT offerings!
CRCAP has been a cornerstone of CRS Summer since it first started in 1969 and has since been the premier program for art, music, dance, and creativity. In this program, campers entering grades 2 through grade 7 can choose from a diverse list of classes such as Rock Band, Hip Hop, Ceramics and Fashion Runway and get to create a full summer experience that reflects their passions and interests. Campers collaborate with our experienced counselors to create and develop performances and exhibitions that showcase their joy and artistry during our Festival Days on the last Friday of every session. Within CRCAP, there are also opportunities to select classes in STEM, nature, and sports and games. From learning a new game, exploring our Wetlands Lab, performing on stage, or puttering in our new community gardens, CRCAP has something for everyone seeking a summer experience in an inclusive and nurturing environment.
Creative Starts is our summer program for young campers from the ages of four to seven years old. Creative Starts campers learn and explore during classes in arts, dance, theater, nature, and STEM. This specially designed program allows the youngest of our campers to get on stage and show everyone their unique talents during the Noontime Variety Shows and Festival Days. Creative Starts and CRCAP are both two-week sessions that allow campers the freedom of choice to diversify or concentrate their creativity.
Our Musical Theater Production program is for campers entering grades 5 to grade 10. This theatrical program will take campers on a 4-week journey that will culminate in a fully produced show! Campers will work with counselors to write, produce, and perform their own original musical. They will also get to create costumes and stage props. Skills worked on will include storytelling, improv, playwriting, songwriting, audition skills, singing, acting, and dancing. Our production program will put the campers in the spotlight!
Our Counselors in Training (CIT) will be learning from our specialized CIT staff who have been campers, CITs and Counselors themselves. They bring the fun and experience needed to help teens practice and grow leadership skills as they are emerging. CIT’s will have a special time each day to bond together, learn life skills like cooking, babysitting tips, basic first aid, and more. All of this will help them to experience what it is like to be a counselor at CRS Summer and beyond.
Summer is such an exciting time for campers and counselors and we here at CRS Summer are honored to provide a joyous and supportive environment for our campers and families. We hope you join us!
In joyful partnership,
Adam Brewer, CRS Summer Administrator
Noelle Pierce, CRS Summer Program Director