This is an intensive built into an arts summer camp. The kids live in camp cabins with bunk beds 10-16 to a cabin. The kids are from all arts areas so they are likely not living with other dancers in the cabins.
Interlochen is a camp, so housing was summer camp style cabins with 12+ kids and two counselors
Housing - Supervision
Curfew
Yes
Curfew reasonable?
Yes
Room check
Yes
How strict were dorms?
Very strict
Infraction handling
N/A
Skewed depending on the RA
Housing - Cleanliness
Laundry available
Yes
Laundry free
Yes
Housing cleanliness
Dirty
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Spotless
Cleaning required
Yes
Meal Plan
Meal plan
Yes
Food quality
Gross
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Excellent
Enough food
Yes
Dietary needs?
Yes
Specific needs
Vegetarian
Vegetarian/Vegan, GF, Dairy Free
Dietary options
Limited
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5
Lots
Activities
Weeknight activities
Yes
Weekend outings
Yes
Attended weekend outings
Yes, all of them
Yes, some of them
Favorite
Boat cave
Trips to the beach, swimming/boating, musical performances
Least favorite
Beach!, Boating, Theater performances
Logistics
Quality of handbook
Spotty
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5
Comprehensive
Program communication
Limited
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Comprehensive
Transportation
Walked without chaperone
Neighborhood safety
Not Safe
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Very Safe
General Comments
Overall recommendation
Definitely Not
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Absolutely
Best aspect
Guest classes with Mr. Morrissey.
Lots of great elements at Interlochen! For students who want a summer camp experience along with a dance intensive, this is a fantastic experience. You get swimming, campfires AND 6+ hours of dance every day. It's an incredibly safe environment - especially good for younger dancers and first time intensive attendees. The dance center is large, light and open with gorgeous views of the lake. Perhaps most important, the dancers have the benefit of excellent instructors who do a good job of getting to know them and helping them grow. My dancer also loved the opportunity to work with Joseph Morrissey, the Director of the year round Interlochen Academy Dance Program - he's an excellent teacher and a nice human being.
Least liked about program
Only Had a men’s class when Mr. Morrissey was there but otherwise did not. Would have been nice to have more men’s technique.
Parts of the "camp" experience are not tailored to dancers, my dancer ended up in a cabin that was more than a mile away from the dance building - between meals and rehearsals, she walked 6-8 miles per day on top dancing 6+ hours per day. (Interlochen said they are looking to fix that in 2024!) Counselors run the gamut in terms of strictness. Food isn't the best - care packages of snacks and cabin pizza parties (funded by parents) are key!
Suggested changes to program
More mens class.
Ensuring the logistics (cabin location, shower rules) take into consideration the needs of dancers vs. students in the art, music, writing and theater programs. Working with counselors to build more consistency in privilege giving, especially at the Intermediate level (Grades 7-9).
Culture of program
Low key. Relaxed rustic camp environment outside of the studio time. It’s fantastic if your kid is good with that but they need to be ok with communing with nature a little. It can be really fun living with kids from all different art areas and getting to see their performances as well. And getting to get both the summer camp and intensive experiences at the same time. .
Warm, welcoming and supportive! This was my dancer's second year at Interlochen, and both years, the dancers formed a tight bond and friendships that continue beyond camp. The instructors do a good job of building a positive culture and sense of community.
Other comments
I would say the standard for this summer program may not be as high as others, but if you are there to work, the teachers give a lot of attention, and the improvement comes. This was just what my kid wanted this summer.
There are a range of experiences, from the 2-week Junior Intensive for younger dancers, to the 3- and 6-week programs for older students and the high school intensives. Lots of opportunities to enjoy the beauty of Northern Michigan and grow as a dancer and artist. BUT, if your dancer doesn't enjoy “summer camp” life, this is definitely not right experience for them.
