Ross Creek Centre for the Arts

Chris O'Neill, Executive Director

Ross Creek is a place like no other. We forget sometimes, working daily on this site, how beautiful it is, and what a difference the programs make in the lives of young people from across the country and down the road. 

We are so thrilled that Maga will be back as our camp director, with Eamonn returning as Recreation Director. 2018 is going to be epic!

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The Twins from Texas

Our Twins (Maeve & Sean) have been attending Ross Creek Art Camp each year for the past 6 years.  They started as Junior day campers when they were 5 years old, and have both attended one or two weeks at Ross Creek each year, including overnight camps for the past 3 years.  We live in Texas, but have been able to spend our Summers in Nova Scotia, and Ross Creek is definitely the highlight of the summer for both kids. 

Maeve has really blossomed as an artist, enjoying all of the types of media she has been introduced to. She was really inspired by the fashion design camp this past summer, and has asked for a sewing machine and fabric to continue exploring this art form. Sean has focused his artistic passion on the film making and computer generated art.

Beyond the art, which is tremendous with the talented volunteers that lead the camps each year, the joyous, welcoming and true love that Ross Creek shows to our kids and their individual personalities is what brings us back to Ross Creek each year.  Artistic kids sometimes have a difficult time fitting in normal social circles. Ross Creek embraces these differences and makes the kids feel special. 

The Ross Creek staff have also inspired leadership aspirations in our kids.  Both now have the desire and drive to become Junior Counselors at Ross Creek and take all that they have learned and give it back to other kids.

Summers in the Annapolis Valley are spectacular, but Ross Creek Art Camp is the best part of summer in the Valley.

Jeffrey W. Hurley

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Max at Camp

My 13yr-old son Max has been attending Ross Creek camps since he was five, both the March Break and Summer sessions.  I cannot say enough about his experience at Ross Creek.  It is a place where he has been allowed to express himself artistically and grow leaps and bounds as a person. 

Max became an overnight camper at the age of nine.  I was so worried when I dropped him off on that Sunday afternoon.  Would he be homesick?  Would he take care of and keep track of his belongings?  Would he get along with the other boys in his cabin?  Would he eat and brush his teeth and take a shower?  It was a very long week.  On Friday when we picked him up, I was met by a smiling boy who had spent five glorious days making art and making friends and making memories.  Under the watchful eyes of Roxy and the camp counsellors he had taken care of himself beautifully!  I was so happy and proud to see all that he had achieved.

Independence grows at Ross Creek.  Creativity blossoms.  Activity is key.  A great deal of confidence is gained.  The campers are exposed to young people in leadership roles and inspiration follows each of them home.  Ross Creek is about games and campfires and sleep-outs under the stars.  Every day has a theme.  Mention Kangaroo Court to Max and watch him grin from ear to ear.

The instructors that Ross Creek attracts to each session are top-notch in their fields and incredibly generous when it comes to sharing their knowledge and skill with the campers – Max has learned so much.  The counsellors and counsellors-in-training all bring a passion for the arts and a crazy amount of youthful, contagious enthusiasm.  They have been mentors for Max, who in turn has been inspired by their example to become a mentor himself.

The fact that Ross Creek is a safe environment for children to be free to be whatever and whoever they want has been huge for Max.  To the extent that my artist / actor / comedian now wants to become a Ross Creek volunteer, a counsellor-in-training and eventually, a counsellor.  Those are amazing goals for a 13yr-old to have and I am eternally grateful to Ross Creek for helping nurture them.

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Dance Summer Dance

This is Jordan's (age 16) second DSD camp. She previously attended in 2013. Jordan has been trained in classical ballet/jazz/modern and hip-hop since age 5. She has also attended Quinte Ballet School of Canada Summer Intensive (offered spot in full-time program) and Canada's Ballet Jorgen SI IV .

Jordan really loves going to DSD!! There is not any aspect of camp life that she would change. The instructors such as Robert McCollum are top notch. Jordan chose to attend DSD primarily to work with "Ballet Bob" again. Every year she comes back from camp armed with new knowledge and has worked very hard on perfecting technique and mastering new choreography.
Jordan especially enjoyed the African drumming she learned this past summer. 

Camp life is so much fun !! The camp staff do an amazing job. They are well trained and always available day or night The campers enjoy dancing all day and at night they enjoy campfires,and fun activities like spa nights/gala dinners to keep them entertained. The weekend beach/Frency's trip is also something the dancers look forward to every year.
One thing Jordan has enjoyed both times she attended DSD, is the food !! As much of the produce as possible is grown at or near Ross Creek Centre for the Arts. The chef really tries to incorporate a very healthy , well balanced menu which caters to the dancers and gives them the energy required to complete the day's activities.

This year Jordan hopes to attend Dance Summer Dance again after returning from her 5 week program in Toronto with Ballet Jorgen. Thank you so much for putting  on such a fantastic program. I can't wait to send Jordan to Ross Creek again next summer!!!

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