What’s Right With Our Schools: CCS Theater Camp

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It’s lights, camera, summer fun!  Chattanooga Christian School is once again hosting its long-running Musical Theatre Camp—welcoming students from across the region and beyond.  From singing and dancing to costume design and teamwork, this camp is giving kids a full taste of life on stage and a great example of ‘What’s Right With Our Schools’.

“Musical theater camp is one of our most highly attended camps.  We have kids that come, we had them come from other states just to come.  Our theater program is pretty big, and we do such a fantastic job with our performances, and our director Mary Catherine Schimpf is very wide-known, and kids come so that they can be a part of it.  It’s a fun way for kids that have never had any type of acting or stage experience to get exposure,” said Carie Roncin, Camp Director.

“Such a fun thing to see all these kids walk through the door and think they’re just full of skills built-in and passions and desires, and in different things that they’re going to love in their lives. And to be able to be the one who can unlock that, and say, ‘Oh my goodness, you’re very good at dancing, or you have this great voice. You should pursue this.’  It’s such a gift to me to be able to unlock that skill for them so then they can go on and pursuit it,” said Mary Catherine Schimpf, Musical Theatre Teacher.

“So you play a game, and then we start practicing our dances, our voices, and then I get into the day of like dancing and singing,” said Isaiah, a camp attendee. 

“It’s so neat to see them learn about music, and I love watching them come in at the start of the week just ready to learn, and they’re soaking up so much information.  It’s so exciting when you started a rehearsal, and they cheer because their favorite song is coming up. So it’s a really wonderful experience.  It’s something they will take with him for a lifetime,” said Gayla Austin, Music Director.

“It’s so fun coming in each day and then seeing, they’re only in the beginning of their journey too, and it’s something that they may live in the future. So, I think it’s really cool to bring that out, and I’m like, hey you really like this. Just to see them have fun and see myself in a lot of them,” said Josie Steen, Camp counselor.

This year’s production of Finding Nemo takes the stage the Friday, June 20, 2025, with campers ready to bring the ocean adventure to life.