It only took 16 hours for 57 students from grades 4-8 to prepare a 40-minute musical called “Summer Camp,” which they performed Thursday afternoon at Queensbury High School. 
The “Summer Camp” musical featured seven original songs and more than 50 speaking parts.
“These kids have experienced a small snippet of what it takes to put on a musical production,” said director Laura Lee DeLand. “But more importantly, they learned the value of teamwork, accomplishment and a sense of belonging.”
This musical has everything you love and fear about the summer camp experience, from bugs on parade to the journey of finding a place to belong, through the mighty highs and comic lows of summer camp.
Mallory Cosh, who played Camper Jo, signed up for drama camp to keep busy in the summer.
“I’m working on getting out of my comfort zone and being in front of people,” she said.
Nicholas Merzig, who played the Camp Director, said he loves acting and used
this show as an opportunity to prepare for a future role in QHS Drama Club.
“I love acting,” said Avery Nelson, who played Carol, “and I wanted to get better at singing, and I thought this would be a great opportunity to keep my acting skills up throughout the summer.”
The musical theater camp was offered through Queensbury UFSD’s Summer Music Academy. Many of the students enjoyed performing the “Thriller”-like 
song titled “It’s a Bear!” The songs were performed by characters called Camper Itchalot, Camper Nervous, Camper Hadenough and the crowd favorite Camper Knot, who got himself tangled up in rope.
“It’s very relatable to a lot of kids our age, because it’s about finding who you are,” Avery said, prompting Nicholas to add, “and finding your talent.”