The Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts is pleased to be of service to youth with special needs.  We offer dance class in eight week sessions during the Fall and Winter and host the Shining  Stars Adapted Dance Camp at our facility during the Summer.  Be sure to check-out the wonderful video link at the bottom of the page!

 

Shining Stars Camp

Shining Stars Adapted Dance Camp is designed to provide a fun and unique dance experience for girls and boys with physical disabilities. Dancers will enjoy the benefits of movement and creative exercises in a positive and supportive environment. Dancers will also have an opportunity to share what they’ve learned for their families
on the last day of camp during a special performance.

The Camp will be led by a collaborative, experienced team including dance instructors, adapted physical educators, and physical therapy professionals. Each dancer will be paired with a “personal coach” to provide assistance with movement and following directions. Our coach volunteers include West Chester University
adapted physical education and dance students and experienced high school dance students.

Shining Stars Adapted Dance Camp is offered free of charge. The costs for the camp are funded by the Samantha Zajac Memorial Fund* of the Chester County Community Foundation in cooperation with the West Chester University Department of Kinesiology and Department of Theater and Dance, and the Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts.

This special camp is geared to girls and boys:

• between the ages of 6 and 15 years old who have mobility limitations yet have the
  ability to initiate movement
• who may use orthopedic appliances, such as wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, or braces
• whose social and emotional skills are within one year of their chronological age
• who are able to follow directions with minimal assistance

Camp Dates for Summer 2010 are August 2 - 5, 2010.  For more information about the Samantha Zajac Memorial Fund, please visit www.chescocf.org.

Click here to view video of the 2009 Shining Stars Camp!