Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

ALBEMARLE — Now just weeks away, the Stanly County Arts Council’s 2025 Summer Arts Camp will soon arrive with its annual activities for rising first-through-sixth grade campers.

The first week of camp will be from July 7 to 10 at West Stanly High School while the second week is from July 14 to 17 at Albemarle High School, each highlighting this year’s theme of “How the Grinch Stole the Arts.”

Registration spots for both weeks have already been filled up and the submission deadline has already passed, although the arts council is holding a waitlist to account for possible cancellations.

Each day, campers will explore classes in theater, dance, music and visual art — each taught by licensed professionals — from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Camp details will be emailed to registered campers the week prior to the start of camp.

“The Summer Arts Camp allows the youth in Stanly County to continue their arts education during the summer months in a fun, relaxed camp-like environment,” the Stanly County Arts Council said of its annual summer event.

Wes Tucker, director and founder of the Summer Arts Camp, initiated the program in 2008.

As the director of the West Stanly Players and the chair of the school’s English and drama department, Tucker will be the camp’s theater teacher.

Rebekah Crisco, a returning visual art teacher from Oakboro Choice STEM School, is set to lead the lessons on canvas art as former Albemarle Academy of Dance teacher Mary Grubbs teaches different types of dances, choreography and the basics of human body biomechanics.

Meanwhile, West Stanly band director Ariel Jones is returning to teach the campers about different aspects of music through genre discussions and instrument studies.

“Campers are responsible for bringing their own bag lunches Monday through Wednesday, but the Arts Council will host a pizza party on Thursday (July 10 and July 17),” the arts council said of its weekly schedule.

Founded over 50 years ago, the Stanly County Arts Council, holds a mission to encourage and promote broad-based cultural and educational activities in the arts throughout the county.

Atrium Health, the North Carolina Arts Council, Uwharrie Bank, and the Arts and Science Council are among the partners involved in the county arts council’s projects.