Charitable Act Inc. was founded by Hannah Ratcliffe in 2013 with the goal of providing underprivileged elementary school students the opportunity to attend summer theatre camps and to learn about and enjoy the theatre arts.
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The summer after her freshman year of high school, Hannah volunteered as a counselor for a local community theatre's summer camp. Growing up, Hannah was lucky enough to attend theatre camps each summer, so it came as a shock to her to learn that a few of the campers were there on scholarships. After talking to the camp director (who later served as our first teacher sponsor!), she learned that there were many more less fortunate students who would have loved to attend the camp, but the program could only give out so manyscholarships.
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It was then that Hannah decided to take it upon herself to start an affordable summer theatre camp that all students could attend. She worked to form the company, gain 501(c)(3) status, find a group of dedicated student volunteers, and coordinate with a teacher sponsor and local elementary school in which over 70% of the students were on free or reduced lunch. And just like that, Charitable Act ran its first camp the following summer!
Since then, Charitable Act has put on 7 summer camps, each serving 30 campers!
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Research studies have shown the benefits of engaging in the theatre arts at a young age. Our students learn valuable skills such as public speaking, confidence building, and teamwork at each camp. Not only do our elementary school students benefit from camp, but our high school volunteers do as well! Our high school counselors get the chance to step into leadership positions, utilize their creativity and passion for the arts, foster a safe and fun camp environment, and serve as role models / mentors to our campers!
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