On Wednesday, July 30, the club participated in Boys & Girls Club of America’s “Project Plié,” an initiative that aims to introduce ballet to a broad range of children through educational and activity-based master classes. Master instructor Paige Levine of Putnam Dance Center, along with Putnam Dance Center students, taught basic ballet moves to the Dolphins (third- and fourth-grade boys and girls), Leopards (sixth- and seventh-grade girls) and Jaguars (eighth- and ninth-grade girls).
The classes, conducted in partnership with the American Ballet Theater, home of soloist and Boys & Girls Club of America alum Misty Copeland, serve to identify gifted children and connect them with ballet teachers and schools in their community. The BCGNW campers who demonstrate an affinity for ballet, according to Levine, will be offered a scholarship to Putnam Dance Center.
On Friday, Aug. 1, third- and fourth-grade boys from the Sharks camp group visited the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, where they spent the day exploring and discovering the solar system. Campers also watched “We Are Aliens,” an epic ride through space, in the museum’s Andrus Planetarium. The field trip was sponsored by the Bedford Rotary.
“We are thrilled to give our campers the opportunity to experience something new and exciting every summer,” said Barbara Cutri, director of operations, BGCNW. “We truly appreciate the American Ballet Theater and the Bedford Rotary for their roles in supporting our youth and opening their eyes to such unique career possibilities and hobbies.”
BGCNW summer programs run through Friday, Aug. 15. For more information, visit www.bgcnw.com.