Performance ARTS - YA Summer Camp @ Midland University

Summer Camps 2013

SYLVIE WHITE - Shoreview, MN - 11th Grade

Young American's camp this year was one of the greatest experiences in my entire life. Everyday, not only did we learn incredible songs and dance, we connected with people in amazing ways.

Camp wasn't just quickie lessons, the YAs took time whenever they could to talk to us, and really understand how we were feeling about things or answer questions about anything in life. It was like a music oasis.

HANNAH BUSSA - Fremont, NE - 8th Grade

Camp was a fantastic experience for me.  Not just because of how exciting it was, or all of the people I met, but because it changed my life. 

Before camp, I was very shy in public.  I only talked to the people that I’d been friends with for a long time, and I was scared to talk to new people.  I knew I loved music, but I was afraid of being made fun of because I thought music was better than sports.  I also was scared to stick out of the crowd in any way.  I didn’t want to sing or dance alone, and I followed people. 

During camp, I met all of these people who liked standing out from the crowd, who sang and danced in front of everybody, and were just...themselves! 

MIKOTO HANABUSA - Chiba, Japan - 9th Grade

I felt many differences between Japanese and Americans.

And those differences affected me in a good way. At first,I was so nervous and my heart was full of anxiety. But all The Young Americans and campers gave me lots of energy and power. I think they changed me for good. My English became better thanks to them. After the camp,many of my friends and family said to me " you changed a lot! "

That is the happiest thing and I really want to say thank you. You guys changed my life. Thank you. And I love you♥

BRENDAN GEPSON - Fort Calhoun, NE - 12th Grade

Young Americans Camp was so great. Everyone there is accepting and loving and caring, and there are so many things that can simply not be put into words. I laughed, cried, met great people and made lifelong friendships. I'll never forget the people there or the experience.

From poems about Bed Bath and Beyond, to "If We Hold On Together", this years camp was truly 'Not Your Average Summer Camp'.

JAYLEN SEMRAD - Fremont, NE - 5th Grade

Going to the YA camp was AWESOME!! I loved meeting lots of people and learning all those songs and dances.  I was a commuter this year, so each night I came home and told my parents all about my day.  They loved hearing about all the things I was doing at camp! 

I can't wait for next year when I can hopefully stay overnight, even though I do live in Fremont!

BRITTNEY OLIGMUELLER - Omaha, NE - 7th Grade

Last year when I came to Young Americans Camp I met girls from California and I’m still friends with them now. This year I roomed with one of them, the one that I was friends with the most. This year I also met another girl and we are best friends now and we found out that we go to the same school district but not the same school. She has really bad stage fright but still agreed to sing a song in the talent show with me. We decided to sing Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood. When we got up on the stage we automatically thanked Kelsey who taught me my solo and my friend’s duet. Kelsey is a one of the Young Americans. Then we started. I sang the first verse and then we both sang the first chorus. Then it was her turn to sing the second verse. She started singing it, but then she started crying. I took her hand and started singing it with her and I started crying too. We ended up singing the whole song crying. When we were done everyone was standing and clapping. They were also crying and standing on their chairs and even one guy was spinning a towel in the air. When we got off the stage Kelsey was right there hugging us and telling us we were amazing.

The Young American Camp at Midland University is an amazing experience and I encourage everyone to go."

BRENNAN KENNEDY - Naperville, IL - 7th Grade

I had done a workshop with the young americans, and found the website. I found out there was a sumer camp, and freaked! I searched for information, and when I told my friend from school who did the workshop with me, he said, "Oh, yeah. I already signed up for that." I was, of course mad at him for not telling me, but we still arranged for us to go to the camp together to. We loved it so much, and now have good friends who live in Nebraska.

I recommend this camp, definitily, to anyone.

KATJA PETRY - Berlin, Germany - 12th Grade

 All you need is love – as we sang this line to each other again and again, I started crying because I realized that really, you do not need anything else, if there is love in your life. I was so overwhelmed by how everyone simply respected, accepted and loved each other. Having been able to spend a whole week with them has had a huge impact on my life and my view on it.

Spending time with The Young Americans does not only teach you to become a better performer, but most of all to become a better person.

CAITLIN ODEN - Huntington Beach, CA - College

I was an overnight camper at the YA Summer Camp of 2011 at Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska and it was an amazing experience and amazing couple of weeks. I miss it so much and miss everyone I met (campers, Young Americans, Midland staff/camp volunteers).

One of the many experiences I will NEVER forget is when I was at the entertainer camp two days before show day after breakfast we were split up into our group (Pinks, Blues and Whites). Right before lunchtime the Pink groups last class for the morning was dance class we were dancing to the song “The Gods Loves Nubia” from Aida, not for the show, but just for that class. I have heard that song before, knew of the Musical and have the CD of Aida but haven’t seen the show live. During the class when we were dancing to the song we were suppose to imagine and to work hard to break a wall that we have. The wall is different for everyone and for most of us it can’t be broken down in just that short amount of time.

After that dance class I will never be looking at the song the same way again, it now has become more personal to me than before.

PARKER DOUGHTY - Omaha, NE - 7th Grade

During the Entertainer Camp at meal times, it was always so much fun when someone stood up on their chair and screamed, "FREEZE! EVERYBODY CLAP YOUR HANDS!" Then everyone would start clapping and then we'd all sit down again and continue with our meals. (:

MICHELA GLIEM - Cheyenne, WY - 10th Grade

What i like about camp was that i learned a lot about make evey moment count. Also that its not about being rich it about what you have and not about money. Its about knowing that you are lucky to have a family and be able to go to a summer camp like this. What I like about camp is that you are around people who like the samething you do (dancing, singing, making friends). Even though I missed my family, it was one of the best camps that I have been to.