Summer Program 2026
On August 17-21, Monday-Friday, 8:30am –12:30 pm, children, ages 6 -12, gather with CAAA instructors and teenage mentors to collaborate on eclectic song repertoire, dance, theater, and art projects that reflect a particular aspect of the Cape Ann region. Excursions to nearby sites and visits with local personalities are included in the activities. All is shared in a culminating performance on the final day.
Activities are based at the very welcoming St. John’s Episcopal Church, located at 48 Middle St. in the heart of Gloucester, MA. From here we have visited City Hall and Bell Tower, the Carillon Tower of Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, Cape Ann Museum, the Maritime Museum, Virgilio’s Bakery, the statues along Stacy Boulevard, trekked to the Quarries in Rockport, and sailed on the Schooner Adventure!
For our Summer Program 2026 we’ll be learning and singing about
On Your Mark! Get Set! Go!
The SPORTS! of Cape Ann”
August 17-21, 2026
Monday-Friday, 8:30am -12:30pm
Activities will be based at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Gloucester, with excursions to various sites of “sporting interest…soon to be disclosed! We’re delighted with our student-inspired theme and ideas, and look forward to bringing them to life with the kids, mentors and very creative staff! If you have ideas of your own, we’re all ears!
(Please register your child soon, and pass the word!)
Cultivate Curiosity
Participants learn about the vibrant history of Cape Ann through interactive visits to local cultural sites including Cape Ann Museum, Schooner Adventure, the Maritime Museum, City Hall, and more.
Encourage Artistic Expression
Teachers and kids support each other in creative play and self- expression, learning and working together on art projects, singing, choreography, theatrical improv and performance.
Build Confidence
After a week of experimenting, creating, playing together, and performing for each other, participants will share what they have learned, encountered, and created in a final performance for families and friends.
Engage Generously
Encountering new friends, new experiences, new people and places about town empowers kids to take part, help out, ask questions, contribute ideas, and to fully engage in their community.
Arts Alive Mentors
We welcome several teenage mentors, age 13-17, to collaborate with instructors. This is an unpaid opportunity that will offer valuable experience, recommendations for future positions, and community service hours. Mentors are invited to join in all activities, excursions, and performances at very minimal tuition cost, with the expectation that they will be at the ready to assist younger children and instructors as needed. Two orientation meetings with staff will be scheduled prior to Monday, Aug.18th. We ask any teen interested in joining CAAA in this capacity to fill out and submit the MENTOR Application Form in addition to the PARTICIPANT Registration Form, which is to be filled out by a parent or guardian.
2026 Theme and Schedule
Settling on a theme each year is always an exciting challenge! SO many choices! There is never a shortage of inspiring material. In 2023 we partnered with the Gloucester 400+ organization in the celebratory vibe of the big anniversary year - painting, singing, dancing, channeling colorful local personalities in historic reenactments. In 2024, we focused on the 400-million-year story of Cape Ann Granite: “Rocky Veins of Granite Grains”. In 2025, we were delighted with the student-inspired theme: “BEAST, BIRD, & FISH ~ the Creatures of Cape Ann”.
In 2026, another mentor-inspired theme:
On Your Mark! Get Set! Go!
The SPORTS of Cape Ann
We’ll be weaving songs, dances, and art into the many exciting, historic tales of Cape Ann athletes, teams, and events. It will be a full, active, artistic week!
But, don’t worry…we won’t forget SNACK time! Here’s a quick overview of the week :
Monday - Home-base, St. John’s Episcopal Church. Introduce theme, projects in music/dance/theater/art stations. Sing all together, introduce small groups.
Tuesday - Home-base, St. John’s Episcopal Church. Special Visitor and Art workshop. Continue with songs and group skits.
Wednesday - Field Day at Stage Fort Park! We are designing a fun day of games and historic activities that are accessible to everyone, interlaced with story-telling and singing!
Thursday - Home-base, St. John’s Episcopal Church. Continue with songs, polish group skits, perform for each other in preparation for Friday’s presentation.
Friday - Home-base, St. John’s Episcopal Church. Finish art projects, polish large chorus numbers, review skits in a final run-thru before our presentation at11:30 a.m.
EVERYONE IS INVITED!
Schedule
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Monday, Aug.19
8:30 Arrival at SJC, Sharing, Warmup activity
9:00 Rotation of activities: Song/Skit/Dance Practice, Bell Ringing, Art Project
10:45 Snack Time
11:00 Rotation of activities: Song/Skit/Dance Practice, Bell Ringing, Art Project
12:10 Sharing, Review, Announcements
12:30: Pick-up, SJC
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Tuesday, Aug.20.
8:30 Arrival at SJC, Sharing, Warmup
9:00 SongPractice
9:30 Walk to CAPE ANN MUSEUM, 10 Pleasant St., Glo.
9:45 Snack
10:00 Tour and Workshop, CAM
12:00 Walk back to SJC
12:15 Sharing, Review, Announcements
12:30 Pick-up, SJC
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Wednesday, Aug.21
8:30 -12:30 Excursion to Halibut Point State Park Visitor Center, Quarry site, Keystone Bridge in Rockport. (Transportation TBD)
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Thursday, Aug. 22
8:30 Arrival at home-base. Sharing, Warmup activity
9:00 Rotation of activities: Song/Skit/Dance Practice, Bell Ringing, Art Project
10:45 Snack Time
11:00 Rotation of activities: Song/Skit/Dance Practice, Bell Ringing, Art Project
12:15 Sharing, Review, Announcements
12:30 Pick-up, SJC
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Friday, Aug.23
8:30 Arrival at home-base. Sharing, Warmup activity
9:00 Practice Program
10:45 Snack Time
11:00 Final Review
11:30 Public PERFORMANCE
12:30 Reception and Clean up. Farewell!
FAQ’s
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Regular play clothes that can withstand dirt/water-based paint, sweatshirt if needed, sneakers or sturdy sandals (not flip flops, please). Sun hats and sun screen are encouraged, or rain gear, if…need…be!
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Tote bag or backpack, water bottle.
We will have nutritious and delicious snacks for the kids. It will be helpful not to send extra snacks with your child, unless there are particular dietary needs. Please let us know.
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On Wednesday, Aug.21
We will have a professionally guided tour of the Halibut Point State Park Museum, and other prominent quarry sites in Rockport, including singing and recording our voices under the echoing Keystone Bridge. Logistics and transportation are still being discussed..
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Yes! Friday, August 23, at 11:30 at St. John’s Church. Everyone is welcome! Followed by a quick group clean up and ice cream treat. Everyone is welcome! The more the merrier!
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Yes, indeed! But this summer, CAAA can partly serve nicely as a trial experience for families interested in the new Cape Ann Youth Chorus at Rockport Music. Singers who do not participate in CAAA Summer Program may have some catching up to do with song repertoire, since some of the songs will have been learned by other choristers during the summer program. But this is doable!
Rehearsal and performance schedules for the new CA Youth Chorus is still being worked out. Please Contact Us, or Rockport Music to let your interest be known, and with any ideas or suggestions you may have for this new endeavor!
Ready to sign up
for the Summer Program 2026?
