MANSFIELD — Blue and yellow streamers hang in the doorway of the Mansfield Christian School (MCS) choir room.
Inside, pink balloons float down from the ceiling and colorful gowns from tales “Cinderella” and “Sleeping Beauty” decorate the walls. Cheerful songs from a Disney soundtrack play in the background.
The classroom has been temporarily transformed into a magical kingdom for the Disney Princess Summer Camp. The camp, which began June 12 and will last through June 16, is run by Mansfield Christian Schools choir and bible teacher, Heidi Zentz.
“I feel like I am a princess at heart,” Zentz said.
This is her third year running the princess camp for girls. But its her first time doing it at MCS. Previously, the camp was at the Richland Academy of the Arts. Zentz hosts numerous voice and music camps during the summer at the Academy.
However, she notes the change in venue for this camp has allowed her to advertise it more to the Mansfield Christian students and families she works with during the school year.
Zentz has always been a fan of the magical Disney tales. She noted her college dorm room was princess-themed and pink pillows and glitter coated tiaras can still be found in her house.
During the week-long camp, Zentz enjoys the chance to work with the younger group of kids and let her own inner princess shine.
Zentz dresses in different princess-themed outfits throughout the week, including a Snow White costume sewn by her mother. Each one of her campers, or “princesses” as she calls them, gets to wear their own tiara.
“I want to show the girls that even ordinary things can be magical,” Zentz noted.
Princess puzzles, glittery crafts, and fairy tale story time are just a few of the activities the girls will do during the camp. Zentz has also created her own princess-themed games like “Find Cinderella’s Lost Slipper” and “Bippity Boppity Boo.”
This year there are 11 campers ages 4 to 12 in attendance. Zentz likes having the wide age range because it allows the older campers to act as mentors to the younger girls, who might feel timid in the new environment.
“I wanted to come to the camp because my cousin Lauren came,” said camper Kaci Pollard, age 8.
Her cousin Lauren Zhenov is 5.
“My favorite princess is Pocahontas because she explores and I explore a lot,” Pollard said.
Pollard said she is most excited for the prizes Zentz distributes after games. According to Zentz, the prizes could take the form of “special princess privileges” or small trinkets.
Pollard also enjoys answering questions or volunteering to read during story time.
MCS student Chloe Reel sings and plays alongside the campers. The 15-year-old offered to volunteer and act as an assistant to Zentz after she saw the poster advertising the camp in a school hallway.
“I thought it sounded fun and I love working with kids,” Reel said.
After spending the week immersed in the enchanting stories of their favorite princesses, the girls will end the camp with a royal tea party.
“I want the girls to know they are valued and cherished,” Zentz said.
She hopes the Disney Princess Camp will inspire girls with thoughts of “happily-ever-afters.”
