Testimonials

"Thank you again for another incredible summer. So much joy, energy and creativity on the part of the staff and kids. I said to my son over ice cream yesterday that the amount of fun packed into 12 days is unbelievable - he wholly agreed, and he said it was an even better summer than last year!

"Today was the first day back at school and I see that confidence from CCS carried over into her daily school experience. That's why I send her there; it's why you guys do what you do. And you do it SO WELL."

"A few days from the close of CCS for 2014, it seems appropriate to send you all our thanks (again). The CCS family wrapped another flawless session. Every year it seems to just keep improving. It is remarkable what you do with the the group in less than 2 weeks."

"My word for this CCS community would be 'Compassion'. So much love and care was put into this camp and there was not a single day that was never filled with joy, smiles, laughter and most importantly the warm hugs we all know and enjoy. We had compassion towards each other but also towards the nature around us. Another reason why I am thankful for coming back to CCS this year."

"This camp is about so much more than what these amazing young people learn about the music, theatre, dance, arts, and crafts they love. As a mom who has been so fortunate to see CCS through her daughter's eyes and through the wonderful moments you share with us at the end of camp each year, I cannot thank you enough."

"Thank you SO MUCH for all you do! My girls have loved camp every single year, but they both said this year was the best yet. It gives me tingles to just think about such an incredible opportunity my girls have to attend CCS. We feel SO SO blessed. It is amazing how you can make every single (100+) child feel special, which of course they are in their own way. You have created a wonderfully supportive and loving environment and we just appreciate all the time and energy it takes to create this magical place."

"THANK YOU 100 times from our whole family. He had a wonderful summer - absolutely a 10 for him! He came home with tons of stories, new skills, fun games to play with us, and he positively glowed. It was a confidence builder for him as well as us!"

"And, once again, we both marveled at the growth in the confidence in her own abilities and overflowing self esteem, and obvious results of all the effort put in during camp. CCS makes its campers into self assured, well rounded young adults. Thank you for that (and so much more)!"

"You and the rest of the staff should be extremely proud of what you have created with Camp CenterStage - an advertised learning experience for kids with talents in the arts who end up coming away with some combination of friendship, belonging, love, and communication acumen that will help them grow and cope with whatever life circumstances confront them going forward. Now, that is absolutely brilliant."

"Thank you so very much for everything! You ALL do an amazing job with the kids. You can see the staff puts their heart and soul into each and every child, the bonds, respect and friendships were clearly felt by anyone who was there."

"CCS was well beyond our expectations. He raves about the food, and a bunch of new friends that are constantly Facebooking each other - he can't wait for the reunion! And you did a great job with communications as well. The Final Showcase was unbelievable - I cannot believe how much the kids pulled together in less than 12 days; and Nick says there was other stuff we didn't see. So wonderful. A class act all around. Thanks for giving Nick one of the best times he's ever had!"

"Thank you for doing such a wonderful job communicating with us (during camp). I just wanted to be sure we let you know how much we appreciate the time you take to keep parents in the loop at the same time that you are making camp so special for each camper. You are all exceptional people and we feel so lucky that the kids have such a positive experience each summer. Thank you for all that you do!"

"We are so fortunate to have heard about CCS from a friend. Thank you and all of CCS staff for nuturing and inspiring our daughter's creative abilities."

"I was impressed all around with the welcoming vibe and how well thought out everything has been from the start – obviously he's in great hands."

"First of all I want to tell you that Jake had an incredible time at CSS. He absolutely LOVED the musical theater class and I hope you will pass on my thanks to Brian. The kids' performance of the first act from Into the Woods was extremely impressive (as were the other performances)! Brian obviously set the bar high and the kids excelled."

"Congratulations are definitely in order for creating such an organized tradition with a truly terrific, caring, talented and compassionate staff!"

"I thank God every day that I stumbled across your website last year, you have made such a difference in her life! Thank you again for making Lexie and I feel like part of the family."

"Thank you all so much for providing such a terrific camp experience for our daughter, Kate. As you may or may not know this was her first time at 'away camp' and both of us, Kate and her parents, could not have been more delighted! Normally, she is quite quiet in the car, but I can safely tell you, she talked none stop, about all the different experiences she had, for the entire car ride home; (keep in mind that is about 2 hours!). Not only did we feel so incredibly safe with her in your care but you provided her with memories and what we hope are life long lessons that she will continue to carry throughout her life. We were so impressed with not only the focus of theatre but goal setting, compassion for others, and the incredible sense of family you managed to attain in 12, well technically 11 days!"

"She really loves being at Camp Centerstage! Last year she came back with such a peaceful energy and joyful spirit. I believe this can only be attributed to the wonderful work and talented staff you have up there."

"You guys are amazing! Thank you for taking the time to write parents. What a thoughtful thing to do while you are super busy already with campers."

"I want to let you know what an absolutely fantastic time Alden had at camp. She felt so welcomed and at home immediately. She really valued the "time to talk" (and she noticed it was there!) that was built into the schedule and LOVED all her counselors and teachers and mentors."

"Nicholas had a wonderful time -- thanks so much! He said after 2 days, he forgot all about being homesick; for that I am eternally grateful. I wanted him to have a great away-from-home experience, and he did."

"I know we probably said this before, but if so, it bears repeating. We are all so very glad that we found Camp Centerstage. The things Nicole has learned, the friend made, and the experiences she's had have made her a better person, and it's helped Maureen and I see our "little girl" in a whole new light. we will be forever grateful for the time she's spent there these last 2 years. The work that you and the whole team perform is truly remarkable. You all deserve sincere kudos."

"Thank you thank you for all your hard work and effort with all the campers this season at camp. Zivah totally and thoroughly enjoyed it and wants to return as a CIT, hopefully, next year. She did mention how, each and every night, you both go around and say goodnight with a hug to each camper...totally amazing! That is dedication and love. Thank you, thank you...I truly appreciate all you do!"

"Thank you once again for an amazing camping experience for our two girls. I'm sure this email is like many others you receive. But you can never say it too many times. You are appreciated. Your time and energy is valuable and that makes it all the more wonderful that you do this for these children. "

"Thank you, Camp Centerstage, for providing the best summer camp experience imaginable over the past 12 days. Jonah was so sad to leave, and after meeting many of the staff and counselors, I can see why. What a special group of people! Keep up the great work! :)"

"I just have to say that I was VERY impressed with the CCS show and all the hard work that it involved. Brandi did NOT want to leave the camp or all the new friends she made. It "did" change her, and for the better too! Thank you very much for the hard work you all do! Don't think for a moment that it goes unnoticed!"

"I'm bubbling with excitement and wanted to pass it on. I knew the girls would have a great time. When I got home I had THREE letters waiting for me: they filled their letters with TONS of details about their roommates, the delicious meals (from a picky eater... high praise), all the fun activities they've been doing. Not one word about missing home. Yippee!! Katrin raved about the camp, telling me how much she "belongs" there. All this to say, thanks so much. You all are awesome and my girls are having a ball. You don't have to take the time to write back. I just needed to pass on my giddiness!!!"

"Thank you so much!!!! I love that pic of her! She LOVES dancing and acting...that is her thing!!! She said she loves it!!! She thinks you are awesome!! I am so happy with this camp I can't say enough about it! I have told everyone!"

"Thank you sooo much for the update. I have definitely been curious as to how things have been going. I am so glad to have such a nice report. She was so excited about camp and I must say she epitomizes the camper. Sounds like things have been all upwards. She is very independent but I have to admit not getting at least one text a day from her has me missing her very much, so I thank you again for the update."

"I can't tell you how much this meant to me and I can't even thank you enough for sharing this with me. I had a feeling that this would be the perfect place for him and he would truly find himself. Almost all of the kids his age don't understand him and he has an extremely hard time making friends. I was hoping when he got around kids that had some of the same interests he had it would help and it seems that it has. I have definitely been wondering how he is doing so this was a perfect time to send this email over because I feel so much better just know what a great time he is having and thank you for telling me how much you all are enjoying him too."

"Gary and I see so much more self confidence in them both - we love it! It's amazing how much this experience made them grow, in just a few days! Kudos to you and everyone else! It was a great experience and great way to end the summer break."

"What can I say except there are so few people in this world like you! Not only have you been fantastic through this whole process but taking the time to send a message and a picture meant more than the world to me! I am so happy she is having such a great time, I knew she would!!! You are the best!"

"Thank you thank you so much for sending this along to us - it makes us feel so proud of her. I appreciate and am grateful for all you are doing for all the kids. I feel and hope this may be a continuing experience for her in the coming years."

"You have made her whole summer by helping us out and making this possible. I knew when I saw the camp that this was going to be a healing experience for her. We have really missed her, but at the same time feel just so fortunate to have been able to send her to Camp Centerstage. I am glad to hear that she had a chance to share her voice."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I cannot tell you how you have just made our day! My husband called from work to say "check your e-mail" - and there it was. What relief to know that all is well and thriving at Camp Centerstage! Just want you to know that from the moment I saw you, John, Jeffrey and Alexis, I knew it was going to be a great experience. It's all about the peolpe, and the "feel" of the place was evident from the moment we arrived!"

"I love the picture at the Casco inn - she amazes us everyday!! In her letter, she says [the community outreach project] moved her so much that she wants to look in to doing school community service at one of the homes here in town."

"Thank you for giving Troy the most wonderful camp experience of his life! When we dropped him off at CCS, he was certain that he wouldn't like it. When we picked him up, he didn't want to leave! He's already counting down the days until CCS 2011 when he can press his "reset button"! Your camp was a sanctuary where he could sing, dance and act in a truly judgment free zone. Thank you for the experience! We're fans for life!"

"Thank you so much for taking the time to write and send the picture! We have really missed Maddy but at the same time feel just so fortunate to have been able to send her to Camp Centerstage. I am glad to hear that she had a chance to share her voice. She never ceases to amaze us. We can't wait to see her and the show on Sunday... we are counting the minutes."

"Alexis and Steven have been a huge influence on my development, both as an actor and as a person. They have amazing knowledge of theatre and music and share this knowledge in a fun, nurturing way. Through their teaching, they form great performers. Camp is an awesome opportunity to learn about the performing arts, to learn about teamwork and to learn about yourself. I am excited to be a part of the Camp CenterStage staff!"

"Crafts with Lisa is amazing! We do fairy houses and tie dye and my favorite...paper mache! I made a huge smiling sun that my mom has hanging on the wall and then as a group we made a full size dragon's head which my music teacher is going to use for our Chinese New Year celebration at school. If you like getting creative and artsy, you're guaranteed to love your time with Lisa!"

"Alexis and Steven's leadership and modeling has made a huge impact on my children. If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that they are all about helping youth set the bar high in an environment that is mutually respectful, encouraging, and supportive. At Camp CenterStage, they have an inspired vision, enough experience to know how to get there, the heart to make the journey as enjoyable as the end result, and the integrity to do things right...making decisions that are always in the best interest of the camper."

"I can't say enough about Jeffrey's influence on a camper's sense of belonging and community. He has a special handshake, often elaborate, with each and every kid and he remembers them...for years (the kid AND the handshake.) He somehow manages to make everyone, parents and children alike, feel as if they've made his day just by crossing his path. No matter what camp Jeffrey is helping to lead, I know that by choosing to send my children there, they will be loved and safe and known and honored."

"The leadership team at Camp CenterStage is amazing! They take every detail into consideration and always think of the camper's experience as a full person. If you want your child to have a creative, safe, fun-filled theatre and arts camp experience...then I highly recommend sending them to CCS!"

"CCS combines the classic summer camp experience with the performing arts to create an environment that helps teach not just how to be a great team player and community member, but helps harbor a healthy individual character and identity."

"CCS put me out of my comfort zone in a positive, supportive way and has impacted my life outside of camp more than any “self-help” book could have. I have gained confidence and a sense of leadership that has helped me in my professional life."

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