Foundation Support Local Summer Camps

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31 Jul Foundation Support Local Summer Camps

Posted at 15:33h in News by

Designated funds from the McPherson County Community Foundation supported two summer camps held in McPherson last week.

The Edwin R. Stucky Debate Enhancement Fund provided funding for the McPherson County Debate Camp, while the Keri Lindholm Endowment for the Arts sponsored McPherson Community Theatre’s Summer Stage Camp.

The Summer Stage Camp, held at McPherson College’s Brown Auditorium, welcomed 45 campers ages 9–15. The weeklong program gives students hands-on experience with all aspects of preparing a Broadway-style production. This year’s performance was The Lion King.

Campers began the week with auditions, followed by casting and the distribution of scripts and responsibilities. Throughout the camp, students received guidance on memorizing lines, learning music, and performing choreography. In addition to acting, they helped create set pieces, props, and costume elements used in the final performance.

Through games and creative activities, the camp fosters a fun, collaborative environment that builds the foundational skills needed to participate in productions at any level. Thanks to the Keri Lindholm Endowment, scholarships were provided for 18 campers.

Meanwhile, the McPherson County Debate Camp was hosted at McPherson College by the McPherson High School Debate Team. Designed as an intensive crash course, the camp helps prepare students for the 2025–26 debate season and serves as an entry point for freshmen and new participants.

This year’s program expanded to include 60 students and seven coaches from across western Kansas. Schools represented included:

  • McPherson Middle and High School

  • Halstead Middle and High School

  • Nickerson High School

  • Sterling High School

  • Sedgwick High School

  • Buhler High School

  • Great Bend High School

Camp sessions covered both the fundamentals and more advanced concepts of competitive debate. The focus topic for this year was The Exploration and Development of the Arctic.

Funding from the Edwin R. Stucky Debate Enhancement Fund  supported essential camp resources, including T-shirts and lunches for participants.