Tag Archives: Compass College

West Michigan Tourist Association offers up a few unique summer camps

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Mosquitos, campfires, and cabins, or maybe its tents, either way, attending a summer camp is a right-of-passage for many.

 

Some families probably already have their children’s summer camps selected, but in case you do not, West Michigan Tourist Association Marketing Manager Jeremy Witt offered a few suggestions during a recent visit visit to the WKTV Journal. 

 

Kid’s STEM Camp

July 23 – 27

Michigan Maritime Museum 

260 Dyckmam Ave., South Haven

michiganmaritimemuseum.org

 

“Kids can continue their education with this camp in really cool, fun hands-on way,” Witt said. “They get to do things like go the museum’s tall ship, the Friends Goodwill, going on Lake Michigan. The museum has activities all over their campus and they even have a 19th century replica of a riverboat that the students get to go out on.”

 

Film and Acting Camps

June 18-22

Compass College of Cinematic Arts

41 Sheldon Blvd. SE, Grand Rapids

compass.edu

 

“Technically two camps but they kind of work together,” Witt said. “So the film camp, students will be putting together this movie, producing it, writing it and directing it. Then the acting camp, they will actually be performing in it.”

 

Witt noted that both camps will have professionals mentoring the students and at the end of the week, there is a red-carpet premiere. The camp is designed for kids 13-18.

 

TreeTop Resorts

June 12-Aug. 31

TreeTop Resorts

3962 Wilkinson Rd., Gaylord

treetops.com

 

“If you are heading up north or maybe you live out there, this is a good one to send your kids to,” Witt said. “They offer it both daily and weekly, so you can fit it around your schedule.”

 

The camp is one of Gaylord’s oldest summer camp programs, Witt said, adding that it is designed for students ages 5-12. TreeTop offers a lot of the traditional camp activities such as arts and crafts, science, team games, sports, and music while building skills and focusing on positive attitudes. The camp does have a no bullying policy.

 

Camp Action

Select dates in June, July and August

Action Wake Park

3320 Hudson Trails Drive, Hudsonville

actionwakepark.com

 

“This is good for any eager wakeboarders who want to get into the sport,” Witt said. “What they do is they are on this little man-made lake and they have a machine in the middle that will kind of go at a certain pace.”

 

The camp provides the students with everything they need, cable park passes, equipment, t-shirts and instruction, Witt noted.

 

 

Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map and Circle Tour

The 30th anniversary of the Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map and Circle Tour has been released. There are 105 lighthouses on the map which covers four states. Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, as the tour travels around Lake Michigan. Maps are available through WMTA.org or at the WKTV Station, 5261 Clyde Park Ave. SW.

Summer Camps in West Michigan offer myriad fun activities

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Photo courtesy of Compass College of Cinematic Arts

By Jeremy Witt, West Michigan Tourist Association

 

It’s nearly that time again! Get your child involved in some fun and meaningful activities — consider a summer camp!

 

Make a movie this summer with the Film and Acting Summer Camps at the Compass College of Cinematic Arts in Grand Rapids! Learn from professionals how to act on camera and make films when the camp runs from June 18th to 22nd for ages 13 to 18. Film Camp students will write, shoot, and edit your own short film with guidance from seasoned filmmakers. In Acting Camp, you’ll learn on-camera acting techniques with a film actor as your coach and then star in a film produced by Film Camp. At the end of the week, walk the red carpet at the film’s premiere for family and friends on the big screen!

 

The Downtown Market in Grand Rapids has three-day and four-day summer camps for the young foodie in your life. Each camp has a distinct theme, ranging from Michigan’s fruits and vegetables to creating and utilizing a backyard farm. Sign up today for what Downtown Market cleverly calls their “Simmer Camps”!

 

Tiny dancers at the Grand Rapids Ballet dance camp (photo courtesy of GR Ballet)

The Grand Rapids Ballet has a variety of camps that are all centered around dance. Their Ballet School has programs for ballet, young dancers, boys ballet, and summer intensive training. They also have two Adaptive Dance programs: Explorer Dance (for children with Down syndrome) and Dancing with Parkinson’s (for adults with Parkinson’s disease). These Adaptive Dance classes allow students to experience the joy of dancing who may otherwise not have the opportunity to do so. Summer camps at the Grand Rapids Ballet are both fun and accessible for everyone!

 

The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre has summer camps that give students the chance to spend an entire week learning about theatre while having a blast making new friends. They’ve made some fantastic additions to their extremely popular summer camp program this year, so you’ll want to take a look at their new offerings for the season. Camps range from age 4 all the way through high school!

 

Summer fun happens at the Grand Rapids Public Museum! Join them and explore the wonders of science, history, culture, art, and fun! For nine weeks this summer, kids ages 4 to 14 can use the museum as a learning lab, experimenting and growing, all while having a great time in one of the area’s most history-rich and “cool” environments.

At The Critter Barn (photo courtesy of Critter Barn)

 

The Critter Barn in Zeeland offers a one-of-a-kind Critter Camp class for students who are eager to engage in animal care. Work through the entire farm with the barn’s staff and return to volunteer throughout the entire year. These camps are available for ages 8 to 15.

 

 

Hands-on Film and Acting Camps at Compass College of Cinematic Arts

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By Jessie Hollett

Compass College of Cinematic Arts

 

Creative teens can learn professional filmmaking and acting techniques and make a movie in a week during Compass College of Cinematic Arts’ summer Film and Acting Camps.  These fast-paced, hands-on camps give high school students a glimpse into the real world of multimedia production and on-camera acting.

 

Both camps run June 19-23, and registration is open to teens ages 13-18.  In Film Camp, students work with industry professionals and state-of-the art film equipment to write, direct, and edit their own short film.  Meanwhile, students in the Acting Camp are cast in these films, and spend the week refining their on-camera acting techniques.  At the end of the week, students walk the red carpet and their films premiere for friends and family in the theater at Compass College.

 

“Film camp was a great first look at the industry,” said John LeFan, former film camper and 2013 Compass College alumnus.  “It’s a great starter program to get your feet wet.  I was immediately hooked.”

 

The camps are designed for students with little to no film and acting experience. The instructors at Compass College make the process fun and as similar to a real-life production set as possible.

 

“Learning how to act on camera and having a role in a real short film was the most fun I’ve ever had at a camp,” said 2016 camper Rian Turner. “I enjoyed it so much that I’m coming back again this summer!”

 

The film campers go behind-the-scenes of the movie-making process to learn screenwriting, cinematography, lighting, camera, audio engineering, editing and much more—all while working with the actors in the acting camp!  The acting students walk through the same process a real celebrity would use to learn their role for a new movie.  They practice improvisation, master different acting techniques, audition for roles, rehearse their script, and discuss costume design.  Then it all comes together in front of the camera.

 

“It’s a great opportunity for the campers to learn the filmmaking process in a creative and fun way,” said Joshua Courtade, Film Camp instructor and award-winning screenwriter, “The film students get to collaborate with the acting students and the results are some very fun short films.”

 

Over the years, campers have had the opportunity to Skype with Hollywood actors and producers like Beau Wirick, Mark Clayman, and Ralph Winter who have worked on the sets of shows like NCIS, The Office, and Arrested Development, and produced feature films such as, Pursuit of Happyness, X-Men, and X-Men Origins.

 

Space in the camps is limited so early registration is recommended.  For more information, call Compass College at 616-988-1000, or visit online at www.compass.edu.

Summer fun activities abound in Grand Rapids

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By Jeremy Witt

 

There is absolutely no excuse to be bored this summer, not with the variety of offerings from local schools and organizations.

Compass College in Grand Rapids offers interested participants help in making a movie this summer. Learn from professionals how to act on camera and make films in their Summer Film and Acting camps. Running from June 19th to 23rd, these camps are designed for teens ages 13 to 18. Each camp offers a completely different experience: as a Film Camp student, you’ll write, shoot, and edit your own short film with guidance from seasoned filmmakers; in Acting Camp, you’ll work on perfecting on-camera acting techniques with a film actor as your coach, and then star in a film produced by Film Camp. At the end of the week, walk the red carpet as the films premiere for family and friends on the big screen.

The Downtown Market in Grand Rapids has three- and four-day summer camps for the young foodie in your life. Camps are offered starting in late June and run through the beginning of August. Each camp has a distinct theme, ranging from Michigan’s fruits and vegetables to creating and utilizing a backyard farm. Sign up today for what Downtown Market cleverly calls their “Simmer Camps”.

Grand Rapids Treetop Adventure Park is hosting its first ever Treetop Climbing Camp, a climbing day camp for the curious, adventurous, and outdoor-lovers in your house. At the Treetop Climbing Camp, you will get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what is involved in adventure climbing, including one-on-one training from their skilled park guides. Two sessions are now available, with session one from June 19th to 21st and session two from June 26th to 28th. The camp is best suited for kids ages 10 to 15, but more importantly, campers need to be able to reach six feet with their arms straight up.

The Grand Rapids Ballet has a variety of camps that are all centered around dance. Their Ballet School has programs for ballet, young dancers, boys ballet, and summer intensive training. They also have two Adaptive Dance programs, Explorer Dance (for children with Down syndrome) and Dancing with Parkinson’s (for adults with Parkinson’s disease). These Adaptive Dance classes allow students to experience the joy of dancing who may otherwise not have the opportunity to do so. Summer camps at the Grand Rapids Ballet are both fun and accessible for everyone.

The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre has summer camps that give students the chance to spend an entire week learning about theatre while having a blast making new friends. There are some fantastic additions to the extremely popular summer camp program this year, so you’ll want to take a look at their new offerings for the season. Camps range from age 4 all the way through high school.

Summer fun happens at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Join in and explore the wonders of science, history, culture, art and fun. For nine weeks this summer, kids ages 4 to 14 can use the museum as a learning lab, experimenting and growing, all while having a great time in one of the area’s most history-rich and “cool” environments.

 

Two local graduates help national Christian singer produce music video

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Compass Alum, Kevin Sytsma (left), sets up the next shot with Director Harold Cronk (right).
Compass alum and Wyoming resident Kevin Sytsma (left), sets up the next shot with Director Harold Cronk (right).

By Jessie Hollet

Compass College of Cinematic Arts

 

Renowned film director, Harold Cronk (“God’s Not Dead,” “God’s Not Dead 2”), teamed up with film students from Compass College of Cinematic Arts to create a music video featuring singer-songwriter Micah Tyler and his chart-topping song, “Never Been a Moment.”

 

Filming took place at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, in the Streets of Old Grand Rapids located on the main floor and in the former Grand Rapids City Hall clock tower located on the third floor. The video was released earlier this week on FreeCCM.com.

 

“It was a huge confidence builder receiving the role of production coordinator on a professional music video,” said Stephanie Norton, a Kentwood resident who is a senior at Compass. “I was really excited but at the same time terrified I might screw up. The production coordinator is a big job.

“The production coordinator makes sure everything is running smoothly before, during and after the shoot. I had to book the accommodations. During the shoot, I was in charge of making sure everyone is happy.”

 

Micah Tyler sings “Never Been a Moment” while filming at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Photo courtesy of Compass College of Cinematic Arts.
Micah Tyler sings “Never Been a Moment” while filming at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Photo courtesy of Compass College of Cinematic Arts.

Cronk currently is in post-production for his next feature film, “God Bless the Broken Road,” which features Tyler’s music. Tyler is well-known for his parody on the millennial generation called “You’ve Gotta Love Millennials,” which was for a Christian leadership conference earlier this year. The video received more than 23.1 million views on social media and almost 2.5 million views on YouTube.

 

“Micah Tyler was very kind and worked really hard. He kept the energy high and was very down to earth,” Norton said.

 

Several Compass College interns and alumni have been working on Cronk’s film. When the opportunity arose to create a music video for Tyler, Cronk reached out to Compass College offering interns and students in the music video and sound design courses experience working with professionals.

 

“Harold is an excellent teacher who continually offers Compass students excellent on-set opportunities,” said Compass College President Keri Lowe. “Even with his success as a filmmaker, he continues to look for ways to serve and give back to his community.”

 

Compass students worked on many different aspects of the music video project, from scouting locations to camera work, to assistant directing, to sound and editing.

 

Compass College Senior, Jonathan Clark (right), holds the film slate as Micah Tyler (right) prepares for the next take. (Photo courtesy of Compass College of Cinematic Arts.)
Compass College Senior, Jonathan Clark (right), holds the film slate as Micah Tyler (right) prepares for the next take. (Photo courtesy of Compass College of Cinematic Arts.)

“The most exciting part of the process was the first shot of day. It is exhilarating when you see everyone working hard, but also having fun,” Norton said.

 

For Compass College senior Paul Rice, the most exciting part of the process was post-production. “I was selected to work as the primary editor for the project,” Rice said. “It has been a great opportunity for me to work on a professional project.”

 

The music video is scheduled to be released Friday, Dec. 9 on Vevo.com and Tyler’s YouTube channel, MicahTylerVEVO.  “God Bless the Broken Road” is expected to hit theatres summer, 2017.

 

Hands-On Film and Acting Summer Camps at Compass College of Cinematic Arts

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Compass College of Cinematic ArtsBy: Jessie Kooyers

 

This June, Compass College of Cinematic Arts will open its campus for an action-packed week of filmmaking and acting summer camps. These fast-paced, hands-on camps give high school students a glimpse into the real world of multimedia production.

 

Both camps run June 20-24, and registration is open to teens ages 13-18.  In the film camp, students work with industry professionals and state-of-the art film equipment to write, direct, and edit their own short films. Meanwhile, students in the acting camp are cast in these films, and spend the week refining their on-camera acting skills. At the end of the week, the films are screened for friends and family in the theatre at Compass College.

 

“Film camp was a great first look at the industry,” said John LeFan, former film camper and 2013 Compass College alumnus. “It’s a great starter program to get your feet wet. I was immediately hooked.”

 

The camps are designed for students with little to no film and acting experience. The instructors at Compass College work to make the process fun and as similar to a real-life production set as possible.

 

“It’s a great opportunity,” said Joshua Courtade, film camp instructor and award-winning screenwriter, “The film students get to collaborate with the acting students and the results are some very fun short films.”

 

Over the years, campers have had the opportunity to Skype with Hollywood actors and producers like Beau Wirick, Mark Clayman, and Ralph Winter who have worked on the sets of shows like NCIS, The Office, and Arrested Development, and produced feature films like, Pursuit of Happyness, X-Men, and X-Men Origins.

 

Space in the camps is limited so early registration is recommended.  For more information, call Compass College at 616-988-1000, or visit online at www.compass.edu.