Video by Drew Canning

"It's the one place where you fit in with everyone else," Mallory Echelmeyer said between bursts of singing, dancing and constant smiling.

Welcome to Camp Glee, one of the 25 programs at St. Charles Community College this summer. Featuring the songs and spirit of "Glee," the wildly popular television show about Glee Club misfits, Camp Glee displays the talents of 24 "Glee" wannabes, 23 of whom are girls. All are between the ages of 10-15.

With a week packed with singing and dancing every day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., it's no wonder these kids profess to love the camp. They don't have to deal with the football jocks or Cheerio cheerleaders. Luckily, Sue Sylvester cannot sabotage them as Camp Glee was guaranteed a spot in Daniel J. Conoyer Social Science Building's auditorium for their finale.

Photos by Drew Canning | Beacon intern

Everyone fits in

The finale showcases eight numbers -- including, yes, "Don't Stop Believing" -- that director Sean Andrews, assistant director and choreographer of Young People's Theatre, has taught the campers. The campers gave their final performance at 3 p.m., Thurs., July 1 for family and friends.

Echelmeyer, a freshman at Francis Howell North, said Camp Glee is a place where everyone gets along: "Everyone is very supportive."

Camper Jenna Barone, a Crestview 8th grader, echoed Echelmeyer, saying, "At this camp I can sing, and no one tells me to shut up."

Amy Fitzwilliam (right), SCCC's program assistant for continuing education, said she wished she had offered more than one week of the $149 program. Fifteen kids were on the camp's waiting list. And the participants have been so enthusiastic. 

"Everybody is unique and has something to bring to it. The kids have caught on; they're all just so in sync here," she said.

Even Andrews' two assistants, Ali Pinkerton, a junior at St. Dominic's, and Melissa Southmayd, a senior at SIUE, said they were shocked at how fast the kids had picked up on the routines.

Southmayd said, "If they could do every song in 'Glee,' they would."

The beauty of the camp, says Pinkerton, is the instant connection between the "Glee" show and real life for the young campers. "It's one of those shows you can relate with, especially if you are involved with musical theater. I think it's a really cool concept that these kids can get involved in something they have such a strong connection to."

Andrews (right) says he's lucky to have such a great batch of kids who are willing to put in the hard work his camp requires. Basing all the songs on the "Glee" versions has also sped up learning the routines since most of the kids have seen the show. For Andrews, that translates into the campers instinctively knowing how big and flashy the numbers need to be.

While he vehemently denies any comparisons to his "Glee" counterpart, Glee club director Will Schuester, Andrews' approach seems suspiciously similar. "I try to be as much of a guidance and director as I can, but at the end of the day it's about the kids having fun."

Still, Andrews is taking his campers in a new direction. "We try to do it our own way here," he said. "In the show, Rachel and the Finn guy take everything. We can't do that."

Southmayd also stressed the virtue of inclusion. "No one is left out. Everyone's equal here."

Emma Koehler, a 6th grader at Francis Howell, couldn't help but sing Andrews' praises. 

Andrews: "It's about the kids having fun."

"He's always open and willing to help you. He's really honest, and he wants to help you. It's not just his job, he wants to help you."

While Andrews denied any similarities to Schuester, other kids in the camp emulated their favorite characters. Several girls were mini-Rachels, and there was a strong showing of Mercedes fans. According to Southmayd, one of the girls came in earlier in the week and asked if she was dressed like Quinn.

Just like in the show, the kids in Camp Glee have progressively gotten more confident and louder, said Pinkerton.

According to Echelmeyer, they're developed their singing skills along with other bonds. "We're becoming good friends." Echelmeyer said that most of the kids in the camp did not know anyone at the beginning of the week.

As 5th-grader Liz Wilhems of the Academy of the Sacred Heart commented, "You don't just learn songs."