Community

Putting Their Best Foot Forward at Irish Dance Camp

Young Dancers Take The Stage At Sycamore Youth Center

STEUBENVILLE -- The Sycamore Youth Center introduced area children to the rich tradition of Irish step dancing during its Irish Step Dancing Camp, held Monday through Friday.

The camp met each day from 9 to 11 a.m. and concluded Friday with a recital, as campers showcased what they had learned for parents, family members and guests.

One of the unique aspects of the camp was that it was led entirely by two 16-year-old instructors, Miriam Free and her cousin, Meara Flynn.

The young instructors guided campers through the fundamentals of Irish step dancing while creating a fun and encouraging atmosphere throughout the week.

"One of the things that excited me most about this camp was giving two outstanding young people the opportunity to develop and exercise their leadership skills," said Bobbyjon Bauman, executive director of the Sycamore Youth Center. "Miriam and Meara did an outstanding job. The children responded wonderfully to their leadership, learned a tremendous amount throughout the week, and the camp turned out to be a great success."

Free said the camp focused on introducing students to the fundamentals of Irish dance while building confidence and preparing them for the final performance.

"Irish dance camp was a huge success. Throughout the week we focused on the basics of Irish step dancing. Starting with simple skips, we worked our way up to learning four-reel steps and rounded off the week with a beautiful ceili dance to showcase each dancer and every step they learned. Thank you to all of our wonderful dancers who made the camp unforgettable, and to Bobbyjon for inviting us to run this camp at the Sycamore Youth Center," she said.

The recital featured campers performing dances they had practiced throughout the week, giving families an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and see their progress.

Because of the camp's success, Free will return this fall to teach an ongoing Irish step dancing class through the Sycamore Youth Center. Details about registration and class times will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Irish step dancing camp was one of 26 summer camps offered by the Sycamore Youth Center this summer, providing local children with opportunities to learn new skills, explore their interests and build friendships in a positive, encouraging environment.