Performing Hearts was launched in 2000, providing movement and dance workshops to individuals living or spending time at facilities operated by other community service organizations. One such event was held at Camp Happy Times. Camp Happy Times is located on a beautiful lake setting in Tyler Hill, Pennsylvania. The camp is dedicated to providing a true summer camp environment and experience to young people who are battling cancer and blood disorders. The Valerie Fund sponsors the camp which hosts over 200 young people and over 100 volunteers during the last week in August. Performing Hearts instructors had these comments following their visit to the camp:

"Our first impressions were wonderful. Although the camp was only in its 3rd day, it seemed like everyone we met felt at home. We couldn't help but feel that we were becoming part of a larger family. The Director, Millie Finkel, keeps the ship on course. She kept us focused on making the experience for the campers one where they participated rather than just observing. Boy did they participate! We conducted three workshops, close to 2 hours each. The counselors and the campers learned several jazz routines very quickly. We demonstrated once or twice, practiced 2 or 3 times without music, and then, blasted the music and danced away. The lunch break provided a needed rest...then back to the dance floor. At the end of each session, we performed a few of our tap routines. The kids were incredibly interested and supportive.......... At the end of the day, we felt that we had really shared a fun time with the children. Millie and her staff made it easy for us. The facilities were great and they encouraged the kids to participate by their example... we think the counselors got a real workout! On our way home, we reflected on how our anxieties regarding how the day would work out had vanished almost instantly upon arriving at Camp Happy Times, replaced by a warm feeling that will never be forgotten. Thank you to all the kids and volunteers who helped us make a little difference. We look forward to visiting again!

Seeing the fun that the children had with Performing Hearts, Camp Happy Times has since added dance to its permanent camp curriculum!

Performing Hearts was launched in 2000, providing movement and dance workshops to individuals living or spending time at facilities operated by other community service organizations. One such event was held at Wagon Road Camp Happy. Wagon Road Camp is operated by The Children’s Aid Society and is located on 52 beautiful wooded acres in Chappaqua, NY. Through a combination of Children's Aid Society scholarships and New York State Funds, children ages 7-17 with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism, Down syndrome, mental retardation, and neurological impairments spend their week- and weekend-long breaks at Wagon Road. Their Respite Program provides year-round camping experiences for such children whose families would otherwise not be able to afford the specialized programming. Performing Hearts instructors had these comments following their visit to the camp:

Our trip to Wagon Road Camp was a great success for all! The Children’s Aid Society and the staff at Wagon Road Camp were very supportive of the team from Performing Hearts. We were able to conduct several one-hour sessions featuring a movement workshop and dance performances. The campers really responded to the upbeat music from “Carwash.” They couldn’t seem to get enough of the dance movements and combinations! One of the things that made our visit so special was the way in which the camp director, Vince Canziani, the program director and all the Wagon Road Camp volunteers worked side-by-side with our team to make the event enjoyable for all the campers. Another special aspect of this event was the collaboration of dancers from different dance studios from New York and New Jersey volunteering together to make it a special day!