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Online registration is available for the five-day “Believe” performing arts camp that will return to Bogalusa in July.

Believe is scheduled to begin its summer tour of camps at Bogalusa High School on Tuesday, July 5, and conclude on Saturday, July 9, before moving on to Gallman, Miss., and Slidell.

Believe camp was founded and is produced by Bogalusa native Bruce Sampson. Sampson brings in a team of internationally experienced professionals from all over the country (including Los Angeles and New York City) to teach a series of classes in singing, dancing, acting, technical and more to area students between 8-18 years of age. The week culminates in a themed musical-variety stage show performed by the students for the community. This year’s theme is “Around the World in 80 Minutes!” The event is hosted at Bogalusa High School.

All students are welcomed and encouraged to participate, regardless of experience or training. The goal is to expose area youth to the performing arts in a safe, positive and supportive environment. The directors have performed and taught all around the world and are in high demand. The Believe team has been invited to China multiple times and recently conducted a special workshop for educators and therapists in Southern California.

“We are so lucky to have this group of pros willing to come to our community and share their gifts with our young people,” Sampson said. “Their passion and energy are infectious and participating students are guaranteed to leave inspired.”

Sampson, who also writes and directs for the internationally acclaimed group, The Young Americans, insists “I constantly hear people saying that there’s nothing positive here for youth. Yet, when something of this caliber comes to Washington Parish; the enthusiasm is not what it should be! We need the parents to sign kids up and the community to come out in support! If every church sponsored two students to participate, we’d probably need to have multiple weeks to accommodate them.”

Parents are encouraged to go online (www.believecamp.com) to sign up students as soon as possible. The cost is $150 per student and includes a camp T-shirt that students will wear for the performance at the end of the week.

Believe is also seeking out businesses and organizations to provide lunch and dinner to the Believe team of directors and counselors.

Believe’s motto is “Embrace the Possible!” and their goal is “to use the arts to engage, educate, inspire and unite youth and communities everywhere!”