FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- For over 15 years Walton Arts Center has presented fun, educational summer activities led by professional artist educators. Focusing on performing arts, smART summer programs are half and full day camps focused on skills that artists use to produce great works like those showcased on the Walton Arts Center season. This summer, Walton Arts Center presents 4 weeks of performing arts camps for children 4 years old and up, led by professional artists and educators. Prices for the camps range from $95-$305 and are offered between the hours of 9:00am and 4:30pm. Parents can register their children by calling the Walton Arts Center Box Office at 479-443-5600.

Monday, June 16 through Friday, June 20 children ages 7 to 12 are invited to participate in a week of choral singing for treble voices. This camp is open to children of all experience levels - from no experience to perhaps singing in a school, community or church choir. The program offers an enriched musical experience for young singers, with engaging repertoire and exceptional vocal instruction by some of Northwest Arkansas finest professional musicians. Summer Sing Camp is offered in two sections, 9:00am-12:00pm or 1:30-4:00pm and will conclude with a final concert for family and friends. Camp registration is $115.

In addition to vocal training, drama camps will be offered at Walton Arts Center focusing on the stories and performances that will appear on our stages in the 08/09 Season. Kids ages 4 to 12 are invited to join theater professional Kassie Misiewicz and friends for fun-filled weeks of drama exploration! Students will learn to "play in the story", and gain a greater connection to the performances they will see on stage. Four camps are presented this summer focusing on drama:

Camp Diego's Friends: Rainforest Explorers

Camp Jason and the Argonauts

Camp Stellaluna, Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Gruffalo, and Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters

Camp Magic Tree: The Musical

Kids 4 years old through grade 2 will use their actor tools (body, voice & imagination) at Camp Diego's Friends: Rainforest Explorers to help Diego solve rainforest mysteries. Through creative drama and visual arts activities, children will learn something new each day about the rainforest environment and its animals. Camp dates are Monday, June 23 through Friday, June 27 offered in two sections, 9:30 12:00pm or 1:30-4:00pm. Camp registration is $115.

During Camp Jason and the Argonauts, students in 5th and 6th grade will sail on the Argo and learn more about the monsters, dragon and clashing rocks that tested Jason's bravery and leadership. In addition, campers will design and build a transformer set and act in the play with the help of action figures. This camp is $115 and is offered Monday, June 23 through Friday, June 27, from 1:30-4:00pm.

Through creative drama and visual arts, campers from ages 4 years old through grades 2 will dive into and explore the stories of Stellaluna, the Very Hungry Caterpillar, the Gruffalo, and Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters during this week-long camp session. Camp dates are from Monday, June 30 through Thursday, July 3. There will be two sections: 9:30-12:00 pm or 1:30-4:00 pm. Camp registration is $95.

Lastly, campers grades 3 through 4 will expand performance skills as they play at Camp Magic Tree House: the Musical, where kids will learn stories and music from the musical, while exploring choreography. Camp will be offered Monday, June 30 through Thursday, July 3 in two sections 9:30am-12:30pm or 1:30-4:00pm. Registration is $95.

Northwest Arkansas dancers will also have the opportunity to enroll in camps that broaden their training. Houston Ballet returns to Northwest Arkansas for the 2nd Annual Chance to Dance Ballet Intensive. Chance to Dance camps are offered for students with at least one year of ballet training.

Chance to Dance Ballet Intensive offers classes in Basic to Intermediate Ballet and Pointe Technique, Character Dance, Modern, Variations and parent and dancer informational sessions addressing dance training, careers in dance, auditioning and more. This camp is for ages 10 to 17 beginning on Monday, August 11 through Friday, August 15 from 9:00am-4:30pm. The week will conclude with an informal showing for families and friends on Friday, August 15th in Starr Theater. Registration is $305.

An additional Chance to Dance Mini Intensive will be offered for ages 7 to 9 to be held Monday, August 11 through Friday, August 15 from 11:30am - 12:30pm. Camp registration is $105.

smART summer camps at Walton Arts Center provide several opportunities for kids to explore their talents. To register for smART summer camps, please contact the Walton Arts Center Box Office at 479-443-5600. For more information on smART summer camps, visit waltonartscenter.org.