PAC
The Source
Six hundred hot dogs, four loads of firewood, a few miles of spaghetti, a hundred puppets, one carton of bug spray, 47 guitars, 12 keyboards, a dozen microphones, boatfuls of salad, five cases of taco shells, a summer’s supply of band aids, over 200 dance CD’s, a closetful of props and costumes, four gallons of ranch dressing, six computers, two video screens, 14 stage lights, three mandolins, four banjos, two violins, 14 harmonicas, and a single set of bagpipes… That’s the recipe for summer Performing Arts Camp. Toss in 300 campers, 140 staff members, a few flutes, trumpets, dance shoes, play scripts, guitar picks and shampoo, and you’ll have the Green Pastures experience… an event that’s been taking place a few miles west of Jacksonville for the past 26years. “We began with about 14 kids, a picnic table, and 3 tents,” said Chuck West, one of the camp’s co-founders. “Today we’re in air conditioned dorms, surrounded by computer video equipment, and we can run the camp rain or shine.” The Green Pastures Performing Arts Camp is open for any students in grades 5-12, giving instruction and practice in drama, music, mime, video art, dance, and puppetry. “But they’re all just tools,” said West. “The main purpose of the camp is to show kids how to experience God’s love through the arts.” Travis Deaver, a dorm parent at Illinois School for the Deaf, has been with the camp since his grade school days. “I began as a camper,” said Deaver, “then I became a counselor in high school and now I guess I’m one of the camp directors.” Deaver directs the mime portion of the camp, a performance art in which the campers portray scenes to the accompaniment of Christian music. Gail Trone of Rushville has been the “Puppet Lady” through most of the camp’s existence. “I’ll admit,” said Mrs. Trone, “that I’m an old softie. But when those kids get up there and do a dance or mime or play the guitar for the first time I just sort of fall apart. To watch a young person discover his gifts…it’s a pretty special moment.” In the early days of the camp, guest performers would be hired to perform. According to Scott Kording, the camp business manager, that is no longer the case. “In recent years we’ve had so many kids who want to perform that it’s all we can do to get them in. In fact, we have two staff members who spend the entire two days just trying to get the acts scheduled.” Unlike many performing arts camps that culminate with a final performance for parents and friends, the Green Pastures camp has performances spread over the two-day period and the shows are closed to the public. Chuck West explained that this was done to reduce the pressure on the campers. “If you spend your entire time preparing for a one-shot show that keeps the kids with less confidence from performing as well. Believe me, we’ve had some pretty strange performances over the years, but they’re all done for God and I think He smiled.” Mr. Kording noted that the staff itself reads like a Who’s Who in Midwest performing. “We have some of the most talented performers I know on staff, but the strange thing is that they really don't perform much. They’re at camp to help the kids develop their own talents.” Along with the instructional sessions and the camper performances, the camp features small prayer groups, campfire experiences, and recreation. “We used to build in free time at the camp,” said West. “Somehow we ran out of it a few years ago. It’s two straight days of go, go, go.” A few years ago a group of fifth-grade boys were about to do a dance and the room became silent. It’s a Green Pastures tradition to look out into the audience and have someone pray for you before you begin. “The boys sort of panicked,” said Deaver. “They couldn’t see the audience because the lights were in their eyes. Finally one of the boys said, ‘Dear God, us guys here in the back row ain’t too good. Help us not to screw up too bad. Amen.’” Deaver said that it was the most honest prayer he’d ever heard. In order to accommodate the growing number of campers, the original one-week camp has been expanded to four weekend camps throughout the month of June. In addition to the Performing Arts camp, Green Pastures will also be offering a Martial Arts Camp for ages 12-19 on July 13-17th, and a Science Camp for ages 12-16 on the same July dates.
CUTLINE TO PHOTO: Gail Trone (bottom right) of Rushville, directs her camp puppet crew at the Green Pastures Camp for the Performing Arts. Pictured are center: John Love and right: ___ Pate. (Cori’s brother…can’t think of the little heathen’s name.)