North Hills Christian School

SALISBURY — Lights, camera, action!

Students at North Hills Christian School spent a week producing a musical as part of the school’s summer enrichment program.

Participants developed their acting, dancing and singing abilities as well their artistic skills. Campers ended the week by presenting the musical to a full house of family, friends and others in the Rev. Bill Adams Chapel on campus.

The musical was titled “Pirates of the I Don’t Care-ibbean,” written by Jeff Smith.

According to Smith, the play is “all about treasure: how we are treasure in God’s eyes and that treasure is to be stored up in heaven.”

“’Pirates of the I Don’t Care-ibbean’ is about a company of pirates who have been cast off by their leader, Capt. Jack,” Smith said. “These pirates spend their days without meaning, thinking they have no value and no purpose. Similar to Dorothy traveling back to the Land of Oz, a boy named Andy shows up unexpectedly at Johnny Bay, where the pirates live. Ultimately, Andy reminds the band of scallawags that they really do matter — and he learns a few lessons along the way, too.”

The creative team behind the camp included Gwen Matthews, Norvell Children’s Theater director and choreographer and North Hills Christian School drama instructor; Susan Wilson, lower school music and upper school chorus instructor; and Mindy Daniel, marketing and communications assistant at North Hills.

“The children learned leadership skills and came out of their comfort zones and had so much fun doing it,” Wilson said. “I saw many of them truly blossom. There were sweet moments while working on the set that allowed me to interact with them and hear about their hearts and share mine with them.”

By the end of the week, it was evident that the camp had an equal impact on the campers.

“Camp was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the art projects and learning the games, choreography and music for the production,” said Addison Shehan, a rising fifth-grader.

“This is the best week of my life and the best camp ever,” said Joel Oh, a rising third-grader.