French Woods Festival

of the Performing Arts

Spend your summer
at the worlds most
amazing summer camp!

www.frenchwoods.com
1-800-634-1703
 On a majestic hillside, high in the
Catskill Mountain Region of New
York less than three hours from New
York City is French Woods Festival
of the Performing Arts. A family
run camp since 1970, French Woods
has been the innovative leader of
individualized programming for children.
Four 3-week sessions are offered for campers
aged 7-17 from early June through late August.
Approximately 600 campers attend each session
with a staff of over 300.
More than 85 activities are offered daily in
music, art, theater, dance, circus, sports, magic,
waterfront, extreme sports and horseback riding.
An emphasis is placed on performing arts and
traditional camp activities.
Our totally individualized program encourages
campers to design a schedule that gives them the
opportunity to further develop their skills and
explore new avenues of interest. Our youngest
campers have a special program that offers them
choice and exposure to all of the French Woods
programs.
We hope we can answer many of your questions
through our brochure and DVD but suggest that
you visit our website at www.frenchwoods.com and
call our office to speak with one of us for additional
information.

Winter Phone: 954-346-7455

Summer Phone: 845-887-5600
Email: [email protected]
www.frenchwoods.com
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Theater

French Woods has the most complete

and comprehensive children’s theater
program in the world. We produce
more than seventy productions every
summer in five theaters. Each theater
is fully equipped with sound and
lighting systems and a technical crew
that teaches and designs.
Professional directors teach classes in
improvisation, acting technique,
directing, dialects, musical theater,
Shakespeare, stage combat, scene
study, theater games and more. Our
Cabaret and Improv Troupes perform
for nearby resorts and neighboring
camps.
Campers interested in technical
theater can take classes and get
hands-on experience in stagecraft
and design, lighting, sound, video,
costuming and makeup.

4 5
 Circus

A 12,000 square foot covered pavilion

houses our Circus Program. It features
all of the apparatus in a standard
circus, less the elephants. Professional
artists and instructors hail from
countries around the world bringing
with them the tools for creating the
“Greatest Show on Earth” in every
French Woods Session.
Clowning, tumbling, fire
Clowning tumbling, fire twirling,
twirling, wire-
wire-walking, balancing
walking, balancing globes,globes,
juggling,
juggling, stunt
stunt bikes, bikes,
rings, rings,triple
trapeze, trapeze,
triple trapeze,
trapeze, flyingflying trapeze,
trapeze, spanish spanish
web,
web,
silks,silks, andare
and lyra lyrajust
aresome
just some
of theofacts
the actsas
offered offered asthe
part of partFrench
of theWoods
French
Woods Circus program.
Circus program.
Campers can participate in a
performance or try activities just for
fun. Circus teaches campers the benefit
of hard work, self-reliance and team
building. It offers fantastic physical
conditioning for dancers, gymnasts,
and sports enthusiasts.

6 7
 Dance

Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Point

Brodway, Hip-Hop Pas De Deux,
Belly Dance, and Stretch and Fittness
are but a few of the styles offered
in our dance program. Classes are
offered at beginner, intermediate and
advanced levels.
Experienced dance teachers and
professional instructors expose our
campers to a wide variety of dance
styles. Our five air-conditioned dance
studios are the hub of our extensive
dance center.
Campers work on their technique
and performance. Dancers participate
in a dance concert featured at the
end of each session. Many of our
dancers also perform in our theater
productions.

8 9
Music

French Woods offers the finest non-

competitive, comprehensive summer
camp music program in the United
States. Campers are given instruction
on all levels and perform in ensembles
based on their ability.
Working conductors and musicians
are at the heart of the faculty. Campers
are placed in groups by skill level
and instruction is offered on any
instrument. Young musicians at all
skill levels are welcome.
Group and private lessons are available
for all orchestral instruments, piano,
drums, voice and guitar.
Campers have the opportunity to
perform in concert with our Classical
Symphony, Jazz Band, Concert Band
and various ensembles. Campers also
have the unique opportunity to play
as a member of a pit orchestra for the
musical theater productions.

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 The French Woods Sports Program

Sports
offers a full compliment of competitive
team sports as well as non-traditional
adventure programs. Baseball,
basketball, roller hockey, volleyball,
lacrosse, soccer, and tennis are played
recreationally and competitively.
Our brand new Field House boasts three
indoor basketball and tennis courts.
We have eleven additional all weather
outdoor tennis courts, and four outdoor
basketball courts. Three additional
soccer, football and baseball fields are
available for day and nightime games
under the lights. French Woods hosts
and participates in inter-camp games
and tournaments in all sports.
Our indoor skate park will delight
both skateboarding and rollerblading
enthusiasts. The variety of jumps,
bowls, ramps, half pipes and rails
challenge campers regardless of the
weather. Learn tricks on roller blades or
skateboards, or try mountain boarding
on the hillside.
Mountain bikers have miles of trails
to explore, or challenge youself on
our climbing tower, zip line and ropes
course. Fencing, weight lifting, martial
arts and fitness programs are all offered
as part of our sports program.

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Fine Art
Creativity and expression come
alive at the French Woods Fine Art
Center. Professional instructors lead
classes in our 16 studios. Featured
areas include: Ceramics, Silk Screen,
Leather, Drawing and Painting,
Woodworking, Needlecraft, Jewelry,
Stained Glass, Multi-media Mosaics,
Photography (black & white and
digital).
A sophisticated computer lab gives
campers the opportunity to perfect
their skills in Web Design, Graphic
Design and Animation.
From beginner to accomplished artist,
there is a place for you in the French
Woods Arts Center.

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 Magic Rock and Roll
Everyone can be a magician.
Learning to perform in this area
presents a challenge to even the
most experienced actor. Professional
magicians on our staff teach
everything from simple card tricks to
state of the art illusions.
Our Magic Program has a theater just
for Magic Performances. Each session
campers can participate in atheMagic
Magic
Show or just watch in amazement
as they see their friends perform in
disappearing acts, escapes, levitation
and the ever-popular sawing people
in half.
The sound and lighting system in this
theater improves our ability to get the
full experience and thrill of magic.
Campers may participate both on The French Woods Rock Shop offers
stage and behind the scenes. lessons in acoustic and electric guitar,
bass, drums, keyboard and other
rock-and-roll instruments, as well as
song writing and vocal performance.
Musicians form bands and write
music and lyrics. Bands are organized
by skill level and campers practice in
our ten fully equipped rock studios.
Campers can write their own music
and record it on to CD’s or MP3
files in our state of the art recording
studio.
A spectacular rock concert, where
campers have the opportunity to
perform with their bands for the
whole camp, is produced each session.

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 Horseback Waterfront Experience the French Woods
waterfront while, Sailing,
Waterskiing, Kneeboarding, Tubing,
and Banana Boating on our beautiful
lake. Have fun using our Floating
Trampoline, Climbing-wall Iceberg,
Canoes, Kayaks, and fleet of Sailboats.
Swim Instruction at all levels
including Red Cross Lifeguard
Certification is available in our
Olympic Size Heated Pool.

Hundreds of acres of riding trails,

plus indoor and outdoor riding rings
provide an incredible background
for our horseback riding program.
We offer instruction in English
and Western styles of riding and
in Natural Horsemanship (Horse
Whispering).
Highly qualified equestrian
instructors teach beginners through
advanced riders. starting with lead
line work and progressing to trail
riding, jumping courses and dressage
for days that are filled with adventure.

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 Bunks and Food Daily Activities The Following is a representive sample list of French Woods Daily Activites.
Circus Horseback Music
Fly Rec Western Ridings Lessons Jazz Improv
Circus Act (38 acts) English Riding Lessons Vocal Ensemble
Circus Rec Trail Riding Percussion Ensemble
Gymnastics Rec Horsecare and Training Jazz Band
Int Gymnastics Junior Strings
Adv Gymnastics Theater Concert Band
Yoga West Side Story Pit Rehearsal
Children Of Eden Music Lessons
Fine Art Urinetown Voice Lesson
Spacious modern bunks, with a large Woodworking Proof Piano Lesson
common area house our campers. Leathercraft Broadway Bound Chamber Orchestra
Glass Mosaics Miss Firecracker Junior Band
All bunks have interior bathroom Symphony Orchestra
facilities and plenty of electricity Paper Mosaics Grease
Jewelry The Emporer’s New Lab Band
for personal items. Computers are Painting and Drawing Clothes Street Percussion
available in every cabin for e-mail. Ceramics The Wiz Music Theory
Silkscreen Bye Bye Birdie Acafellas
French Woods prides itself in serving Saxaphone Quartet
Photography School House Rock
healthy and varied food choices. Two Glass and Pewter Casting Cats
hot entrees are offered at each meal Rocketry Two By Two Rock Shop
with a vegetarian entree and several Tie Dye One Acts Songwriting
hot side dishes. Our extensive salad Stained Glass Super Troupe Rock Band Rehearsal
bar is a popular choice at each meal Fabric Decoration Theater Games Group Intermediate
Origami Street Theater Guitar
with its offering of fresh seasonal Metal Jewelry Playwriting Beginner Drum Lessons
fruits, yoghurt, prepared noodle Needlecraft Shakespeare Group Beginner Guitar
and bean dishes, dips, and freshly Spray Art Directing Advanced Drum Lessons
prepared salads. Our chef prepares Digital Photography Movement For The Actor Lead Guitar
all food on-site to insure high quality Computer Rec Dialects Bass/Keyboard Lessons
Podcasting Theater Styles Private Guitar Lessons
and nutritional content. The French Web Design Improv Rock Studio
Woods Grill is an alternative food Graphic Design Stage Combat
choice at all meals. Pancakes are on DJ and Radio Creative Writing Dance
the menu for breakfast. Hamburgers, Audition Techniques Intermediate Jazz
hot dogs, veggie burgers, chicken and Waterfront Junior Cabaret Troupe Beginning Jazz
cold-cuts for lunch and dinner. We Waterfront Rec Improv Troupe Beginning Hip Hop
Waterskiing Cabaret Troupe Intermediate Jazz
can satisfy even the pickiest eater and Advanced Improv
most dietary needs. Canoeing Stretch and Strengthening
Sailing Story Telling Intermediate Modern
Swim Rec Characterization Beginning Modern
Swim Instruction Acting Technique Musical Theater
Lifeguarding Musical Theater Audition Boy’s Dance
Masks, Mischief & Mayhem Intermediate Hip Hop
All American Sports Voice Overs Advanced Modern Major
Stagecraft Beginning Ballet
Mountain Biking Lighting
Fitness Intermediate Ballet
Sound Advanced Ballet Minor
Golf Costume
Martial Arts Intermediate Ballet
Props Beginning Ballet
Basketball Puppetry
Baseball Pointe
Performance Workshop Beginning Tap
Boxing
Hockey Intermediate Tap
Magic Advanced Tap
Flag Football
Soccer Magic Rehearsal Beginning Tap
Volleyball Magic Trick Of The Day Intermediate Tap
Softball MAgic Video and Analysis Beginning Hip Hop
Ultimate Frisbee Magic Watch And Learn Stretch and Fitness
Fencing Sleight of Hand Intermediate Hip Hop
Sports Intercamp Stage Illusions Advanced Jazz Rep
Lake Jog and Fitness West Side Story Dance
Skate Park Video Advanced Hip Hop
Tennis Short Films Fusion Dance
Project Adventure/Ropes Video Postcards
Climbing Wall Film Score Composition
Zip Line Stop Motion
20 Final Cut Pro Workshop 21
 Call Today to
reserve your space!

www.frenchwoods.com
800-634-1703

June-August September - May

845-887-5600 954-346-7455
po box 609 PO Box 770100
Hancock, NY 13783 Coral Springs, FL 33077