What a week! We kicked off the Dietrich’s summer camps with Rand Whipple of Box of Light Studios last week. Rand teaches popular classes throughout the Commonwealth that combine arts and technology. His first week of LEGO Maniacs and Minecraft Film Camp sold out so early that we added another week of those same offerings this week.

I especially enjoy watching kids create in the LEGO Maniacs. They have such great imaginations and their films are darling. They build their own sets from construction paper, poster board and LEGOs. Then they make LEGO characters and develop short films. Along the way they learn about stop-action animation, and how to edit a film, add special effects and how to score their movies. Rand is a wonderful teacher. We hope to have him back in the fall for Saturday workshops.

Camps will continue at the Dietrich next week with Hidden Treasures Theatre and Visual Arts Camp and Acting Camp. Instructors Amy Colley and Michaela Moore have taken hundreds of children on adventures in theatre and visual arts through these multidisciplinary camps at the Dietrich for the past 12 summers. In Hidden Treasures Camp students will use their imaginations to become treasure hunters as they discover dinosaurs or plunder a treasure chest of gold. Campers will design their own costumes, build the set as a group, make props, develop their own characters, create a script and perform for their family and friends at the end of the week. Sounds like fun, right? Hidden Treasures Theatre and Visual Arts Camp will be held from 10 a.m. to noon from July 6 through July 10. Admission is $60 and there is still time to register.

In the afternoons of that week, Michaela Moore will be teaching an Acting Camp for Kids from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. each day. This camp will focus entirely on theatre arts. Students will learn the actor’s tools, develop acting techniques, play fun theatre games and learn improv. During the week they will also create a unique script as a group and perform for family and friends at week’s end. For more information about Acting Camp for Kids or to register for this camp or any Dietrich Theater camp, call us at 570-996-1500.

The Dietrich will also offer a jewelry-making workshop for adults starting next week. On Thursdays, July 9 and 16 from 7 to 9 p.m., instructor Toni Hockman will be teaching students to create a beautiful beaded bracelet as they learn the herringbone stitch and ladder stitch. Each student will leave the class with a finished bracelet. I have taken a few of Toni’s classes and have enjoyed learning new beading techniques. Admission is $35 and all materials will be provided. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to sign up.

Oh, and on Saturday of next week, you will want to be at the Dietrich for a fantastic nature presentation. Bill Streeter of the Delaware Valley Raptor Center will be back for Close Encounters with Birds of Prey. During this program we will learn about a variety of raptors including the saw whet owl, the peregrine falcon and the golden eagle. Bill will share with us fun facts including their wing span, size, flight speed, stopping speed, what they eat and more. He will also bring a variety of rescued raptors with him for you to see up close and in person. They are breathtaking creatures. Close Encounters With Birds of Prey will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 11 and is great for all ages. Admission is free thanks to a sponsorship from the Overlook Estate Foundation. For reservations, call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500. Tickets will also be available at the door while they last. You won’t want to miss it.

As you can see, the Dietrich is so much more than the movies!