Lake Forest Academy to host American Dance camps

American Dance Training Camps (ADTC), a national dance camp company with locations throughout the United States, is bringing its high-caliber dance and character-building program for girls ages 8-17 to Lake Forest Academy for two weeks this summer, starting June 26.

"This is our first year in the Chicago area," explains Lindsey Fadner, ADTC's Owner and Founder. "Lake Forest Academy's facilities, plus the proximity to Chicago's performing arts community, are the main reasons we're so please to be hosting our ADTC Ultimate Chicago Lakeshore Overnight Camp this year."

The camp's dance classes focus on jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, and theatre dance. Campers participate in four one-hour dance classes each day, grouped by ability level so all campers can learn at the appropriate pace.

"No formal dance training is required to attend ADTC - just a love of dance and a willingness to have fun!" says Fadner. "Dancers of all levels - beginners through experienced performers - will be challenged and inspired by our amazing dance staff.

ADTC's Chicago Lakeshore dance camp is directed by Pam Zeidman who lives in the Chicago area. Zeidman is a successful and dynamic teacher, and award-winning choreographer with over twenty-five years of experience motivating and inspiring dancers of all ages and levels. She is a workshop presenter, master teacher, writer, and adjudicator. Additionally, Zeidman has been a studio manager for two top dance schools in the Chicago area.

ADTC's celebrity staff includes Ernest “E-Knock” Phillips who appeared on MTV's hit show, "America's Best Dance Crew" as a member of Status Quo. Status Quo is an all male dance crew from Boston, Massachusetts. The team is composed of six crew members. Their dance techniques are a combination of hip hop, break dancing, krub, tap and gymnastics. Also on staff will be Alexis Thebolt, a graduate of NYU's dance department and a Radio City Rockette. Colleen Creamer, from Ohio, holds a dance degree from Hope College and has extensive performance experience in tap and jazz.

At the end of each camp week, campers, get to show off what they've learned in a big Friday night performance for family, friends, fellow campers and the local community. "It's the highlight of the week for everyone - campers and staff," says Zeidman. (Chicago area residents are invited to attend ADTC's Friday night performances. The dates are July 1 and July 8. Performances begin at 7:30 pm at Lake Forest Academy.)

ADTC is not just a dance camp, Zeidman points out. When not dancing, ADTC campers participate in outdoor activities and field trips, including horseback riding, kayaking, swimming, and more. Additionally, ADTC campers participate in team-based events that bring the whole camp together and last all week, including dance, athletic and non-athletic activities.

But perhaps most importantly, Zeidman says, the ADTC camp program seeks to increase campers' self-confidence and teach important life lessons. According to Zeidman, "At ADTC, girls have a unique opportunity to shed some of the unnecessary psychological "weight" they carry living in today's world. Girls today are constantly bombarded with subtle, destructive messages - telling them to be skinny, wear makeup, dress for boys...telling them that their value is not in who they are and how they treat others, but in how they look and how "popular" they are.

"At ADTC, we strive to break through this negativity by building a tight-knit, supportive and non-competitive community where girls feel safe to let go and be their true selves, and to see the value and importance in holding onto that every day," Zeidman says.

American Dance Training Camp at Lake Forest Academy will be offered during the following weeks: June 26 - July 2 and July 3-9. Girls ages 8-17 can register for one week or two weeks, either as overnight campers or as day campers. Local girls are welcome to join the fun with ADTC's day-camp option. Day campers participate in all dancing and activities - and all three daily meals - for a reduced price.

To register for American Dance Training Camp at Chicago Lakeshore, or for more information on ADTC, visit http://www.AmericanDanceTrainingCamp.com or call 866-383-ADTC.

Check out Zeidman's IL blog: http://americandancetrainingcamp.com/blog/category/overnight-camp-location-blogs/ultimate-chicago-lake-shore-lake-forest-il/