Since 2003, Frogwarts School of Wizardry has been a one-of-a-kind haven for young people to grow in imagination, self-determination, acceptance and compassion -- within a drama framework inspired by mythic story themes.
Frogwarts is a role-play creativity camp originally inspired by the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. With a literacy and character development core curriculum, the camp invites all participants to play in-role, sustaining a fantasy character for an entire week. All attendees, staff included, take on a role-playing wizard persona.
Wizarding Names and Houses
Campers must select a "Wizarding name" to use throughout the week. On the first day of camp, they are sorted into one of the three mixed-age houses of Frogwarts: Morningstar, Dragon Wing or Selkie Clan.
Classes
Frogwarts students take classes in real-world subjects taught by excellent teachers who make learning exciting and fun by relating the coursework to the unfolding drama.
Examples:
- “Care of Magical Creatures" is Biology
- "Arithmagic and Codebreaking" is Mathematics
- "Defense Against Darkness" is Stage Combat and Positive Psychology
- "Hobbitat and Hobbitology" is Economics and Social Studies;
- "Potions" and "Divination" is Creative Drama and Creative Writing
Whenever possible, course topics are woven into the role-play scenario, referred to by the campers as the "Big Drama." For example, the theme-related science lab once revealed werewolf DNA that was a central part of the drama, wizards used their newly-honed stage combat skills to fight off a marauding band of invisible river trolls, and another class used a hobbit village as an example of how community economics works. Kids learn how to compose music, create puppets, choreograph stage fights and mock battles, improvise characters, tell stories – the list goes on. They are having so much fun, they don’t realize they are learning!
Big Drama
A magical aspect of Frogwarts, and what sets it apart from other summer camps, is the development of a story, dramatized in real time by the campers, staff and guest artists. ("Big Drama.") Together we create an original, interactive, improvisational drama that provides the opportunity to make creative choices and give meaning to experience. Students use their critical thinking, imagination, and role-play skills to take action in the drama, which is designed to guide students through a process of questioning good versus evil, right versus wrong, to the triumph of courageous compassion, creativity, empathy, and fun.
Friendships
An important aspect of the camp experience is the close relationships developed. Many campers make such great friends that they stay in contact throughout the year, until they can meet up again at Frogwarts the next summer. Over 92% of Frogwarts students return for more than one summer.
"Frogwarts is like a big family reunion. Everyone is in absolute support of one another. There are a lot of returning
students, but the new students are welcomed and included right away. At the end of the week, there isn't really
one student that anyone isn't friends with," says one returning student, after her 9th consecutive year. "Frogwarts
has been a huge part of my childhood and my own character development. I've made so many memories and
learned so many invaluable life lessons. I wouldn't trade my experience of Frogwarts for anything."
The Great Midwestern Educational Theatre Company
Frogwarts camp is a special project of the Great Midwestern Educational Theatre Company -- a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization that also produces an annual Imagination Celebration (a free event for families with small children), social justice-themed theatre productions, and storytelling performances and workshops.
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