PLAY MAKERS 2025 PARENT HANDBOOK
1. What We Do
Our camp day at Play Makers begins with a whole-group warmup. Each grade group then begins a unique schedule, incorporating key theatre skills to devise a new work of theatre unique to their class based on an award-winning children's book. Click here to see a sample schedule.
Grade Groups
K - 1
2 - 3
4 - 5
6 - 8
Advanced
Play Makers
Theatre Skills
Movement
Acting & Storytelling
Makers' Space
2. What to Bring & Wear
We require all campers to wear appropriate attire and ask that you provide your campers with a few important items for their day. Please make sure ALL of your camper's belongings are clearly labeled with their name.
Snacks, Lunch, and Water
Please pack two snacks, a well-balanced lunch, and a pre-filled reusable water bottle for your camper.
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Great snacks for camp include granola bars, fruit, yogurt, crackers, and cheese.
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Be sure to include any necessary utensils and label all items, including their water bottle.
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Microwaves and refrigerators are not available; be sure to pack meals in a thermos or with an ice pack.
Optional Lunch Service
We are pleased to offer the option of a hot lunch delivery service for your camper on any day they're here. Our provider, The Simply Fresh Kitchen currently partners with schools across Houston, delivering fresh, nutritious lunches. We are excited to offer their options to you for your camper.
Ordering for your Camper:
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This program is completely optional.
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Lunches would be ordered from The Simply Fresh Kitchen website by you. Alley Theatre only facilitates the delivery. All costs, inquiries, and orders are through The Simply Fresh Kitchen.
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If you do order lunch for your camper, you will still need to send two snacks with them.
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Download your welcome packet explaining how to create an account and place orders for your camper.
Attire and Personal Belongings
Campers should wear clothes that will let them move easily and comfortably. Skirts are welcome as long as leggings or bike shorts are worn underneath. We ask that campers wear closed-toe shoes. No flip-flops, sandals, or Crocs. Tablets or other electronic devices are allowed at parent discretion and only during scheduled lunch time or extended care. The Alley is not responsible for any lost or stolen belongings.
For our K-1 group: Please bring an extra change of clothes and a blanket, clearly labeled with the camper's name. We have dedicated time for the group to enjoy listening to a story or quietly reading to themselves. Many prefer to have a blanket to stay comfortable in the chilly air conditioning during this time.
Camper Checklist
Full Water Bottle
Well-Balanced Lunch
Two Snacks
Comfortable
Clothes
K-1's
Extra clothes & Blanket
Closed-Toe
Shoes
Any Necessary
Medication
A Great
Attitude!
3. Drop-Off & Pick-Up
Drop-off and pick-up will take place in the alleyway off of Texas Ave. between Smith St. and Louisiana St.
Address: Alley Theatre 615 Texas Ave. Houston, TX 77002.
Click to Expand
Parents or Guardians agree to:
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transporting the camper to and from the assigned camper drop-off and pick-up location according to the scheduled program start and end times.
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accompany and remain with the camper if the camper arrives prior to the scheduled program start time.
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accompany the camper into the building to check-in with Play Makers staff when arriving 10 minutes or more after the scheduled program start time.
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pick up the camper within 15 minutes of the scheduled program end time.
Morning Drop-Off
Play Makers
Begins Promptly @ 9:00 AM
Regular Drop-Off
Begins @ 8:45 AM
AM Extended Care Drop-Off
Begins @ 8:00 AM
Procedure:
A Play Makers Associate will escort your camper from your vehicle. Please remain in your vehicle and roll down the widow to communicate with our staff.
Afternoon Pick-Up
Play Makers
Ends @ 3:00 PM
Regular Pick-Up
Begins @ 3:00 PM
PM Extended Care Pick-Up
Ends @ 5:00 PM
After 3:25 PM Call 530-710-8375
Procedure:
At the end of the regular day (3:00 PM), A Play Makers Associate will come to your car to check you in for pick-up. Please have your identification ready, so we can ensure we are releasing students to approved pick-up personnel. Campers will be escorted to your car. If you arrive after 3:25 PM you will need to text 530-710-8375 or the number posted on the door. We strongly encourage picking up your child on time. If you know you are running late, you have the option of adding à la carte extended care at $10 per shift.
4. Extended Care
Extended Care is available mornings, afternoons, or both with your camp registration. If you only need occasional care, before- or after-care can be purchased à la carte at $10 per shift. If you would like to purchase an Extended Care package or single sessions a-la-carte, please contact the Camp Administrator. Be sure to send extra snacks for your camper if they stay for after-care.
AM Extended Care takes place from
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
PM Extended Care takes place from
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
$10 À La Carte Pricing Per Shift –
Complete Camp Packages Available
5. Attendance, Late Arrivals, & Early Dismissal
Late Arrivals: For safety reasons, we lock our doors at 9:00 AM. Being late may cause your camper to miss our important group warm up time. In the event a camper does arrive late, a parent or guardian will need to wait with the camper until a Play Makers Associate can let them in. Please text 530-710-8375 or the number posted on the door upon arrival and a Camp Administrator will be with you ASAP.
Attendance and Early Dismissal: We understand that emergencies happen, and when they do, we strongly encourage parents to report all absences and early dismissal notifications to the Camp Coordinator prior to 9:00 AM. You can notify us that they will be leaving early as you drop them off in the morning, or call or text 530-710-8375. A Play Makers Associate will escort your child to the pick up area at the appropriate time.
Notify Us if Plans Change! 530-710-8375
6. Emergencies & Medical Needs
Medication may be kept at camp. Campers must be able to administer any type of medication unless it is an emergency such as an allergic reaction. Parents can also arrange for someone to come to the camp site to administer the medication. Any necessary medication must be listed on your camper forms.
Illness: We want your child to have fun with us every day, but please keep your child home and notify the Camp Administrator if your child has been sick with any of the following within the las 24 hours: vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, eye infection or pink eye, ear ache, fever, persistent cough, runny nose, head lice, or any other contagious illness not mentioned.
Camp Staff are FIRST AID/CPR/AED Certified.
Provide Necessary
Medication
Stay Home if Sick
7. Bad Weather Policy
Alley Theatre Play Makers Camp generally follows HISD's determinations for closing due to weather. In the event that we need to close for a full day or part of the day because of bad weather or emergency conditions, the Camp Administrator will make the official decision concerning the closing of the facilities and notify parents immediately. If it becomes necessary to release campers early, you will receive an email and/or text notification.
Please do not bring your children in if you feel it is unsafe to get to camp.
Stay Alert for Updates
8. Open Workshop (Performance)
Each Alley Theatre Play Makers session culminates in a joyous, celebratory performance that demonstrates our campers' learning for parents and friends.
Event Information: All performances begin at 1:30 p.m. and doors open at 1:00 p.m. There will be a celebration with refreshments following the performance. Keep in mind that PM Extended Care will not be offered after the Open Workshop.
Parking: Parents and family members can park at the Alley Theatre Garage or any available Downtown Parking.
2025 Open Workshop Dates
Spring Break: March 14th
Session A: June 20th
Session B: July 3rd
Session C: July 11th
Session D: July 18th
Session E: August 1st
Session F: August 8th
All Performances Begin @ 1:30 PM
Doors Open @ 1:00 PM
Lobby & Makers' Space Gallery Opens @ 12:30 PM
There Will Be No PM Extended Care on These Days
9. Contact Us
We have set up a Google Voice number to answer all of your camp related questions. Feel free to call or text us during the camp session.
530-710-8375
Monica Marcha
ECE Administrative Coordinator
MonicaM@alleytheatre.org
Visit Us Online
Web: alleytheatre.org/playmakers
Facebook: @AlleyTheatre
Instagram: @AlleyTheatre
EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
713.315.5424
Meredith J. Long Theatre Center
615 Texas Avenue
Houston, Texas 77002
Copyright © 2024 Alley Theatre Education & Community Engagement.