phone icon Created with Sketch. (978) 725-6253
Icon/info-iconCreated with Sketch.Request Info
Icon/register-iconCreated with Sketch.Register Now
Icon/info-iconCreated with Sketch.Request Info
Icon/register-iconCreated with Sketch.Register Now

Stages & Studios- Ages 5-8

Ages 5-8
Icon/info-iconCreated with Sketch.Request Info
Icon/register-iconCreated with Sketch.Register Now
Create. Perform. Play. A summer of imagination meets stage & studio.

Welcome to Junior Players, the entry‑level experience of Stages & Studios designed especially for children ages 5‑8. Here, young artists explore weekly creative themes through a vibrant mix of arts & crafts, music, and performing arts — each day building toward a fun and joyful showcase. Outdoor play and camp‑style adventures round out the experience, so your child can create, discover, and make friends in a safe, age‑appropriate environment.

Blob white
Blob lightgreen

2026 Programming

Once Upon a Time - Fairytale Remix

July 6-July 10, 2026

Step into a world of imagination where classic fairytales get a fresh twist! What if the Wolf wasn’t so bad after all, or Cinderella discovered her own kind of magic?

View the daily program schedule

Jungle Jamboree

July 13-July 17, 2026

Get ready to stomp, roar, and swing through the rainforest! Campers will explore animal movement, rhythm, and song as they bring the jungle to life.

View the daily program schedule

Out of This World - Space Adventures

July 20-July 24, 2026

Blast off into the galaxy! Together we’ll create original space explorers, meet friendly aliens, and discover new planets through music, dance, art, and acting.

View the daily program schedule

Broadway Bound!

July 27-July 31, 2026

It’s showtime! Campers will explore favorite songs and dances from musicals like The Lion King, Seussical, and Frozen while learning what it means to be part of an ensemble.

View the daily program schedule

Paint the Stage

August 3-August 7, 2026

Let’s fill the stage with color! Each day explores a different color and emotion through acting, singing, dancing and art. From calm blue oceans to fiery red volcanoes, this week is sure to be a colorful celebration!

What Makes Us Special

  • Daily Creative Rotations: Participants rotate through a variety of hands‑on studios each day—painting, collage, storytelling, music, and theatre—so the experience stays fresh and engaging.

  • Balanced Activity for Body & Mind: We integrate indoor creative time with outdoor play, swimming, athletics, and games, engaging each camper both imaginatively and physically.

  • Tailored for Ages 5‑8: The program is designed exclusively for early‑elementary participants, with smaller groups, age‑appropriate pacing, and nurturing instructors who understand this developmental stage.

  • Led by Skilled Artists & Educators: Young artists are mentored by a team of professional artists, performers, and educators—supported by dedicated staff committed to fostering creativity, confidence, and collaboration.

  • State‑of‑the‑Art Facilities: Participants will work and perform in Brooks School’s impressive Center for the Arts—featuring light‑filled studios, rehearsal spaces, and performance venues—where every idea is welcomed and every voice can flourish.

  • Flexible Scheduling for Families: Our full‑day program runs from 9 AM to 4 PM. Optional extended‑day care and convenient bus transportation help make the experience accessible for busy families.

  • Health & Safety Support: A licensed Health & Wellness team is available throughout the day to support participants’ well-being and ensure a safe, caring environment.

  • Lunch & Snacks Provided: Nutritious lunch and snacks are included each day to help participants stay energized and focused.

Children perform on stage, some wearing animal costumes, forming a circle around a girl pointing outward.
A young boy wearing blue swim goggles is smiling and splashing water with his arms raised while standing in a swimming pool.

A Typical Day

We’ve crafted a dynamic and ever-changing daily schedule that promises to keep your child eagerly anticipating each day’s adventures. Our approach encourages collaboration among campers, professional instructors, and our dedicated counselors.

Throughout the day, we’ve incorporated outdoor breaks to give students the opportunity to broaden their horizons and engage in physical activities that stimulate both their minds and bodies. These outdoor activities seamlessly complement and balance the creative components of our program, ensuring an all-encompassing, immersive, and joy-filled experience for your child.

8:30-9:00 Drop-Off
9:00-9:10 Morning Meeting
9:10-9:45 Creative Block 1
9:55-10:30 Creative Block 2
10:30-10:45 Snack
10:45-11:20 Free Swim
11:30-12:05 Gymnastics
12:15-12:35 Lunch
12:45-1:20 Creative Block 3
1:30-2:05 Tennis
2:05-2:20 Snack
2:20-2:55 Creative Block 4
3:05-3:40 Creative Block 5
3:40-3:50 Afternoon Meeting
4:00-4:30 Pick-Up

Program Team

Meghan Hill

Producing Artistic Director

Meghan grew up on a horse farm in southern Mississippi and graduated magna cum laude from Wheaton College with a B.A. in Theatre Studies and Dance, earning honors for Excellence in Acting and a Fulbright Scholarship. She later completed a Certificate in Performance Studies and Movement at the Moscow Art Theatre School.

As a freelance director, actor, and coach, Meghan spent many years teaching communication and performance skills to young artists across the U.S. and served as the performing arts director at the Robert College Summer Program in Istanbul for five summers. Before joining Brooks, she led educational theater programming at Watertown Children’s Theatre and the Mosesian Center for the Arts. Meghan is currently completing her Master of Social Work at Boston University, focusing on education policy and inclusive teaching practices.

Sarah Spollett

Art Technical Director

Sarah grew up in Andover, developing a love for carpentry and theater alongside her parents. She graduated summa cum laude from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts with a B.A. in Fine and Performing Arts, Music, and Theatre. Sarah has worked as a freelance carpenter for regional theaters including the Weston Playhouse, Barnstormers Theatre, Tufts University, and Watertown Children’s Theatre.

She later served as a carpenter and shop foreperson at the Tony Award-winning Huntington Theatre Company before transitioning into education. Prior to joining Brooks in 2019 as Arts Technical Director, Sarah taught technical theater carpentry at Emerson College. She now lives on campus with her family.

Peter Moccia, Aquatics Supervisor at Summer at Brooks

Peter Moccia

Aquatics Supervisor

Peter studied chemistry at the University of Connecticut and has been a science teacher at Brooks School for seven years. He lives on campus with his family and oversees the summer aquatics program. With extensive experience in swimming pools and lifeguarding, Peter has worked in aquatics safety and pool operations since age sixteen.

He is lifeguard certified and a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) and works closely with the facilities team to ensure safe and well-maintained pool environments. Peter loves watching campus tran

Nicole Belisle, Logistics Supervisor at Summer at Brooks

Nicole Belisle

Logistics Supervisor

Nicole brings nearly twenty years of experience in school-based nutritional services to her role supporting Summer at Brooks operations. She leads the logistics team with a focus on safety and compliance, ensuring alignment with all Commonwealth of Massachusetts and North Andover Board of Health regulations. Nicole holds certifications in ServSafe, Allergy Awareness, CPR, and First Aid.

During the school year, she works as a teaching assistant and leads a team of youth development professionals in North Andover’s after-school program. A member of the Brooks summer team for more than ten years, Nicole enjoys softball, pickleball, and gaming. She lives in North Andover with her husband, two dogs, and a cat.

Renae Cerri

Activities Supervisor

Renae joined Brooks School Summer Programs in 2017 and brings a strong background in both education and athletics. She holds dual degrees in elementary education and geological sciences from Salem State University. A former gymnast and volleyball player, she is passionate about movement, teamwork, and helping children discover new interests.

After serving as the gymnastics head, Renae now leads the activities team, overseeing the planning, implementation, and daily operation of sixteen activity areas as well as all camp-wide special events. She loves spending time outdoors, traveling with friends and family, and creating joyful summer experiences for campers.

Melissa Donais, Healthcare Consultant at Summer at Brooks

Melissa Donais

Health Care Consultant

Melissa Donais has served as the Health Care Consultant for Summer at Brooks since 2021, providing clinical guidance and ensuring compliance with all state and local health regulations. A Family Nurse Practitioner with more than a decade of primary care experience, she earned her master’s degree in nursing from Boston College and previously practiced at North Reading Medical Associates. Melissa is a graduate of Phillips Academy Andover and Yale University, where she received the Lily Rosen Prize in Women’s Health for her research on the Female Athlete Triad.

An accomplished runner, Melissa continues to compete in local and regional events. She lives in North Andover with her husband, Nate, their two children, Brennan and Audrey, and their dog, Uta.

Shannon Savage, Health Services Supervisor at Summer at Brooks

Shannon Savage

Health Services Supervisor

Shannon Savage oversees the Summer Health Center’s daily operations, managing the nursing team and ensuring safe, responsive care in partnership with our Health Care Consultant. She brings more than a decade of nursing experience across critical care, pediatric rehabilitation, and family medicine, along with several years in nursing education and simulation.

Outside of Brooks, Shannon works as a Family Nurse Practitioner supporting pediatric and primary care patients. Her family is also part of the Summer at Brooks community—her son attends the Day Camp—and she enjoys spending time outdoors and staying active with family and friends.

Resources