Last modified Wed., July 25, 2007 - 04:54 PM
Originally created Thursday, July 26, 2007

YAC campers perform for family, friends

YAC TALENT: Hypnotist show is fun for everyone

By Kaylee LaRocque, Editor

Photos by Kaylee LaRocque Children and staff members from the Youth Activities Center Summer Camp program perform a song for the audience at the beginning of the annual Summer Camp Talent Show at the base theatre July 20.

The NAS Jax Youth Activities Center (YAC) summer campers presented their annual Summer Camp Talent Show for family members and friends at the base theater July 20.

The children showcased their talents by singing, dancing and performing skits as the audience cheered them on.

The event kicked off with a special slide show set to music, portraying the day-to-day activities at the camp including field trips, water fun and some friendly competitions. Then, the youths and their counselors took the stage to perform several patriotic numbers as a backdrop slideshow featured the children with their parents.

Groups A and C from the Youth Activities Center Summer Camp perform a hula dance during the show.

The talent show continued on with each of the different age groups performing their own special segments.

"The kids really look forward to this. It gives them a chance to showcase their talent and let the parents see what they've been doing during camp. All of our kids are so talented and they love to entertain people. We have a lot of American Idols and do Karaoke quite a bit so now they get to do it in front of everyone," said YAC Director Megan Elliot.

According to Elliot, the kids and their counselors start planning for the show several weeks before the event and spend quite a bit of time

The Men in Black perform their skit and dance moves.

practicing their moves. "They all come up with their own songs and routines. They are responsible for doing all their own numbers," she added.

"It was a lot of hard work to do this show, we had to have a lot of practices, but it was really fun. It

was great getting to know everyone and their personalities and how they sing and dance," said 8-year-old Isaac Thomas.

Youth Activities Center Summer Campers display their talents during the show.

Elliot also added a special surprise for the audience and the kids during the show when she and her counselors performed a special hypnotist show. As Elliot "hypnotized" her staff members, they were made to perform several funny stunts which had the audience roaring with laughter.

"The children really showed a lot of enthusiasm and they were really committed. It was really good. We have some talented children," said parent Gloria McNair after the show.