Together We...

Just For Kix Dance Camps

Dance team athletes and coaches frequently look to summer break as a time to quickly boost the team's technique, skills and relationships. Camps are a great option, and it can be hard to choose one that has a track record of success in both areas.

The Just For Kix company is known for its breadth and quality of training, competitions and dancewear, so it's no surprise to learn that their lineup of summer camp opportunities is extensive.

Dance Informa spoke with  Cindy Clough, co-founder of Just for Kix, who shares just what makes a Just For Kix camp unique.

"I feel it's our hands-on approach. I also feel it's our staff. We hire top dancers from numerous auditions. We focus on the total personality of the staff, not just dance ability. We want our staff to be real and really care about our clients. We are not as big as some camps, so I feel we are more organized and in tune to what is happening at them."

Satisfied customers agree. Annie Thurs of Rice Lake, WI, shares, "I really like all of the teachers' personalities; they make the camp experience very enjoyable. Also, I love learning new choreography. It's very fun to take it back home and try different things. The food is always a plus. I also love this experience for our team to come together and learn new things about each other and come closer together."

So, why is a Just for Kix camp for you? Here, Clough tells us more.

What can a dancer, coach or team expect from each of your camps?

"'Together We' is our theme for our high school camps. Our high school camps are overnight, but participants may commute. All lodging and meals are included. 

There are coaches classes in conjunction with the camp. We offer well-choreographed routines, technique classes, leadership and team-building classes, and more."

May a student attend a Just For Kix camp alone, or do you only accept teams?

"The camps are very team-based; however, individuals may attend and are grouped with other small groups and individuals into their own team called the 'RENEGADES'. The camp is for anyone who wants to grow and improve as a dancer."

The Just For Kix summer camp lineup is extensive. How do coaches and dancers know which camp is the right fit for them and/or for their group?

"IGNITE INTENSIVES are training opportunities focused on individuals; however, we do have teams attend. The goal is to see how far you can take it and how much you can improve in the days you are there. Participants may attend one of them or all of them. There is daily ballet, technique and tons of various choreography, with choices every hour.  

OUT OF THIS WORLD is our camp for dancers in kindergarten through ninth grade. Dancers are broken into age groups. They are day camps with a focus on learning and fun. Each dancer will learn three routines and have technique class daily, as well as warm-ups and stretching. Camp fun is added with staff skits and cheers. There is also a solo contest and a small group contest. 

PRESCHOOL CAMPS are the perfect time length for preschoolers. The kids experience crafts, games, a routine and activities. The learning stations are broken into 20-30-minute sessions to maximize the attention spans of the younger dancers. Camp always has a theme such as Prince/Princess, Circus, and Trolls. Dancers arrive dressed in the character of their choice, and the camp is built around the theme."

In addition to these camps, there are highly personalized camp options. What inspired the EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS and CUSTOM CHOREOGRAPHY camps?

"Our goal has always been to under promise and over deliver to our clients. Our goal is to exceed their expectations. Our goal is also to help our clients reach theirs. Whether it is a private or team camp.

As for EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS, the Just For Kix Private Camp has become an affordable, central, educational component for many high school dance teams' training. Some coaches use it as an alternative to team camps, or as an addition to their program. Further, many teams go to team camp and host a private camp. It can assist in jumpstarting a team's season and provides the customized, one-on-one training to help get dancers to the next level.

A CUSTOM CHOREOGRAPHY camp is a camp in which the coach/studio owner fills out a form or answers questions over the phone in terms of the type of routine style they want, the length of the routine, music preferences, and the skill level of the team to achieve the needed difficulty level. Some also request added time for cleaning and technique training."

How many camps is Just For Kix offering during summer 2019?

"Currently, we have three team camps in Minnesota, two in Iowa, two in Washington, one in Idaho, one in Wisconsin, one in Nebraska and one in Illinois. We have intensives in North Dakota and Minnesota."

What performance opportunities exist as part of the JFK camps experience?

"All dancers from private, youth and high school camp are able to audition to perform at the Outback Bowl. They are also eligible to sign up for the New York City Tour. Dancers for the OBB must be second grade and up. The NYC trip is also second grade and up but requires a parent chaperone per dancer. These travel tours are organized and top-notch."

The venues, special events and themes look like a lot of fun. What can students expect in addition to dance classes?

"Campers can expect team-building classes, nutrition classes, injury prevention, technique, choreography classes, captain leadership classes and more. Also, more than 12 coaches classes are offered. Offerings such as kick, coaching jazz, rookie coaching 101, choreography, organization, From the Judge's Perspective, Current Choreographed Camp Warm-Ups and fun games and activities."

Tell me about your faculty.

"Our staff is made up of accomplished coaches and college-level dancers. They audition and interview to be a part of the staff. They go through a great deal of training to carry out our missions. Our goal is to make a Just For Kix staff member that we retain from year to year. We have many staff who have hit over 10 years on staff and some 15 and 20 years."

Visit www.justforkix.com/danceclasses/dance-camps to color your summer with a Just for Kix dance camp.

By Emily Yewell Volin of Dance Informa.