In a secluded area in 18th century New York, the legend of ghosts haunts the town of Sleepy Hollow.  The most popular of these is the infamous headless horseman.

This is the setting participants of Brookhaven Little Theatre’s summer drama camp will fall into as they explore the magic of the stage and confidence within themselves.

“It helps get kids out of their shell,” said Misty King, whose son Braxton has participated in the camp over the last several years. “I think it’s amazing. I would encourage anybody to do it.”

Camp director Joanna Sproles said the camp is broken down into four rotations: arts and crafts, physical games, auditorium times and snacks. Sproles said the crafts generally are centered around the play itself or the time period. Physical games include exercises for body movement and voice — the skills that will be used during the play. Auditorium time includes the actual practice for the play.

“The point, from start to finish, is to get these students prepared to put on a staged production,” she said.

Sproles said all experience levels are welcomed from beginner to expert.

“We are very careful about making sure that, whatever part they get, they are confident with doing it,” she said.

Sproles also encourages the campers to express their own ideas. They get to share their opinions on costume, hair and makeup.

“They all have input in that, and their opinion is valued,” she said.

The camp has a $175 tuition that includes a T-shirt, daily snacks and an 8×10 cast photo. Sproles said they will also have individual headshots available for purchase at the end of the camp.

All proceeds go toward the Save the Haven fund, and Sproles stressed that no one is paid during the production. Sproles said the Haven Theatre has several projects planned for the future. She said their goal right now is to get money to go toward grant funding. Many of their grants involve a matching component. For example, if a grant is for 80 percent of the project, and the group must provide 20, the more money they have the more grant money they can receive.

Sproles said the deadline for registration is July 10. She uses the weekend before the camp to group the children based on age and write their names on the welcome signs.

The purpose of the camp is two-fold. For the theater, it is an investment in the future members. Sproles said many of these children will grow up and move back when they start their own families.

“They’ll think ‘I remember being involved in BLT, and I need to be on stage again,’” she said.

Sproles also said the camp also helps children develop their presentation skills.

“Being in a play is a fun way to sneak in that lesson,” she said.

BLT is also looking for volunteers to help with the camp. Sproles said by the end of the camp volunteers will have collected just over 40 hours in community service.

“We offer community service in an air-conditioned environment with a free T-shirt,” she said.

Braxton, who will be returning for his final year of camp, has found a way to channel his personality into something he loves.

“The more he does it, the more he wants to do it,” his mother said. “And next year, he’s excited to be a counselor.”

Camp registration forms can be found the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, Supertalk, Lincoln County Library and the Brookhaven Recreation Department. Camp and counselor forms can be found at brookhavnelittletheatre.com under the youth activities tab.