Page 25 - CJA Spirit Spring 2021

“ She [Julia] showed

that she cares
about her students

and that she really
Step 1: Logistics out with some ‘cool’ older peers, too.
The camp was free of charge for As for me, I was proud and thankful wants to meet
kids ages 11-15. It was one week to see Natalie perform at the end
long (Monday-Friday) for two hours of the week. Seeing the smile on their need for
each morning at Julia’s house. her face and the enjoyment she got interaction, physical
“We cleared the furniture, and out of performing was special.”
since I only had five campers, Julia’s first time running her exercise and
learning new skills.
including John, we had enough own dance camp was a success, -THERESA DARE, CAMPER PARENT ”
room,” Julia said. and she knew it was something
she wanted to continue.
Step 2: Advertising “My dance camp allowed me
Julia’s dad is on the board of to do something I love and share if they had questions about the
the Down Syndrome Association it with kids that might not always dance routines. Natalie Dare was a
of Greater St. Louis (DSAGSL), have the opportunity to take part in camper who enjoyed the in-person
so she made virtual flyers these kinds of activities,” Julia said. camp so much that she decided to
that DSAGSL advertised on Cue 2020. continue with the online version.
their social media pages. Because of Covid-19, Julia’s dance “I was surprised and amazed
John Hartweger also belongs to camp didn’t seem possible during at Julia’s willingness to continue
The Maren Fund, Inc., which is a the summer of 2020, but she couldn’t providing dance via Zoom,” Theresa
program for middle schoolers with bear the thought of not working with said. “She showed that she cares
down syndrome that organizes her campers and sharing her passion about her students and that she
monthly group activities. Julia for dance with them in some way. really wants to meet their need STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR
had taught dance with this group “I still offered the camp, but did for interaction, physical exercise
before, so she contacted them it in a new way,” Julia said. “I offered and learning new skills.”
and they advertised her camp on one-hour sessions, twice a week While it was challenging, Julia was
their social media, as well. for the month of July via Zoom.” determined to provide some version
Campers did not have to commit to of her dance camp, especially during
Step 3: Planning & Execution every session, rather, they just joined a time when many of her campers’
Two of Julia’s friends helped her on the days they were available. Each other activities were being canceled.
choreograph three beginner jazz week focused on a different style of She even continued the program
dances to three different songs to dance – two weeks were jazz, one through the fall of 2020, providing
teach the campers. Each day, camp week was ballet and one week was dance sessions in the afternoons.
began with warm-ups and stretching, hip-hop. Julia advertised her camp “I think with dance comes
then the group worked on various in the same ways she did before confidence,” Julia said. “Anyone
technical aspects of dance, like turns, and taught it this time on her own from any background with any
beginning dance steps and leaps. – with John by her side, of course. skill level can learn how to do it.”
She was sure to build in a short snack “I like dancing with Julia And someday, when it’s safe,
and water break, and the rest of the because it makes me happy and Julia wants to resume her in-
camp time focused on choreography. I love my sister,” John said. person dance camp venture and
On Friday, she invited parents to Taking her dance camp virtual continue it through high school,
come watch the final performance presented its challenges. It was college and maybe beyond.
of the three dances. One of those more difficult to correct campers “The bottom line is that I love
parents was Theresa Dare, who as they learned new techniques, dancing, and I especially love
got to watch her daughter, Natalie, as well as connect with them on a dancing with my brother John,” Julia
perform at the end of the week. personal level. To close that gap, said. “I know how much he loves it
“Natalie loved dance camp!” Julia made an effort to take time so I’m determined to give kids like
Theresa said. “She loved spending to ask about her campers’ personal John the opportunity to learn and
time with her friends and hanging lives, in addition to always asking feel that joy for as long as I can.”

SPRING 2021 SPIRIT MAGAZINE 23