Willow Valley and Heads Up partnered for an awesome day of dancing and drumming with “Camp Willow” Kids!  Event coordinator Cindy Sawicki said “Heads Up provided an energetic junkyard drumming session to our group of “Camp Willow” grandchildren here at Willow Valley Retirement Communities. The incredibly talented and enthusiastic instructor, Tim, kept the large group of 60 camp kids engaged. We also appreciated the way he weaved in messages about the acceptance of everyone’s differences as the kids learned a hands-on lesson about beating to their own drum.”

Check out the sweet photos and videos from 2010-2011 year. As we embark on a new school year with much to celebrate and thank God for, it is a privilege to look back with humility at the path we have traveled. Thanks to all who made our 5th birthday possible! Highlights were new programs at new schools, opening Heads Up : York at YDC, Camp Remix, City Life Camp, Flash Mobs and t-shirts! Check out the photos here!

Wow.  I really didn’t expect that.  I envisioned it, but was not sure that every piece would come together… but it did!  A crowd of over 200 gathered to see the Heads Up Youth from our REMIX Urban Arts Camp wow them… over 50 youth, staff and parents came out of nowhere for some junkyard drumming, bachata dance and hip hop choreography with an awesome backdrop of a mural the kids created about “VISION for CHANGE”.  There was visitors to the Marriott, Lancaster fans, first friday strollers and just people cuaght in the right place at the right time… it was really inspiring.  One observer said “I had no idea we had this kind of a thing!”… by ‘thing’, they must have mean ‘awesome urban arts scene filled with passionate professionals and youth that ooze potential’.

Thanks to Shannon, our program director, for making the first ever REMIX camp a huge success.  Thanks to the SDoL for supporting our camp so we could provide free services to the middle schoolers of the city!  All the amazing staff and volunteers made a huge impact – YDC, Dex, Lindsay, Paul, Vanessa, Rob, Keilah, Amber, Mike, Ben, Rose and the parents too!

The official video will be posted soon.  IF you caught some clips, we would love you to email them to us so we can compile them… photos too.  Post your clips on FB and make sure you ‘like’ Heads Up Lancaster and tag us.  Thanks to the hot dog stand who let me stand on top of their …stand and thanks to the Marriott for letting us film from their building.

Thanks also to Chad Linton for the awesome REMIX shirts he printed for us and Abby and Erin for helping film!…I think the bar has been set as far as Lancaster flash mobs go!

TEASER VIDEO is here…  Check out Facebook posts to see photos and some video clips!

Yeah, I know most flash mob’s are supposed to be surprise… but we want as many people there as possible to witness the awesome event.  CAMP REMIX has been working on some cool stuff for you, Lancaster!  6:30pm on Friday, July 1 at Penn Square (center city Lancaster) there will be a cool youth flash mob!

Anyone want to join in the show?  We would LOVE to have you show up at our offices at 140 E Orange St at 5:30pm on Friday, July 1 to learn your part!  email Shannon at shannon@headsuplancaster.org if you plan on attending and participating!

Thanks to the SDoL and First Pres Church, we will host a CAMP REMIX: Beats, Brushes and Bodies in Motion on June 14-30 from 8-12:30 each day at 140 E Orange St.  For all incoming 6th graders through 8th graders, we will have some slammin (literally) workshops and PUBLIC SHOWCASES to engage the youth and engage the community.  If you are interested in sponsoring a student, email us and let us know.  If you would like to volunteer, we would LOVE to have you!

Friday, June 24 @ noon, there will be a 20-min camp Showcase at 140 E Orange. Visit over lunch!

Get registration forms here!  Download a flyer about the camp here…make sure you are downtown on July 1st to see the results of our camp LIVE!

Friday, July 1 @ 6:30 there will be a flash mob in Binns Park downtown… see it live!

If you haven’t met him yet, you need to.  Rob Seitz is one of the most active Artist Mentors with Heads Up.  Leading programs in York and Lancaster and offering his talents to Recycled Fashion, Mural Arts and Finale Friday!, he has a huge heart for youth.  You can read his blogs about his adventures with Heads Up on our Weekly Mentor Updates page.  Thanks for keeping the pulse of Heads Up alive and well Rob!

This past year was more than we could have ever anticipated! Corporate partners, pruning of programs and an increased focus on our mission, outreach to more people and places than we have ever done before all added up to a pretty wild ride!

Thanks to those of you who came alongside us, invited us to be in your school, your church, your backyard and out front of your business. Because of you, 2011 has Heads Up expanding to York, DC and possibly even Detroit! We need your continued support.

The Artist Mentors that have made it all possible due to endless hours of commitment, planning, patience and perseverance have embodied the truth of our mission and are the reason you know the name ‘Heads Up’.

Want to join the movement? Have a gift to offer in the classroom or to the management of the organization? We are waiting… the world is waiting… the youth of this county (and country, for that matter) need you!

So, if you flip the canvas over, you can see a city-scape of some of Lancaster’s buildings… but this picture is from the LIFE perspective.  Enjoy it?  See it live next time.

Heidi is our Kids Capoeira Artist Mentor and Co-Founder of Heads Up.  Visit her website for information on how to get involved in Kids Capoeira with Heads Up!