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Lehigh Valley with Love Media is starting a new fund to help more kids in the Lehigh Valley attend art camp.
The fund is launching through a new partnership with Touchstone Theatre in South Bethlehem, beginning with a $1,000 contribution from Lehigh Valley with Love Media to support students with demonstrated financial need for Touchstone’s Camp Touchstone program.
The goal is simple: help remove financial barriers so more local children can experience theatre, creativity, performance, storytelling, and the confidence that comes with making something of their own.
Lehigh Valley with Love Media, a local media company owned and operated by George and Crystal Wacker, is kickstarting the initiative as a permanent fund that community members, local businesses, arts advocates, and supporters can contribute to year-round. One hundred percent of proceeds will be used exclusively for Touchstone Theatre camp programs and arts-related training for children who would otherwise face financial barriers to participation.
“Art is for everyone, and we believe it is important to foster that exploration early,” said George Wacker, owner of Lehigh Valley with Love Media. “Touchstone Theatre is an incredible resource for South Bethlehem and the entire Lehigh Valley community.
We’ve seen firsthand how Camp Touchstone can encourage creativity, confidence, self-expression, and a stronger sense of independence in young people. We want to help make sure that more children in the Lehigh Valley who might otherwise be unable to afford a camp like this have the chance to experience it, not just this summer, but for years to come.”
Touchstone Theatre has been creating original theatre and offering innovative arts education in Bethlehem since 1981. Its summer camp programs give children and teens the chance to explore theatre through writing, mask-making, movement, puppetry, improv, devised performance, and original performance work.
For the past 20 years, Touchstone’s summer camps have helped young people do more than perform. Campers create their own original work, build confidence, collaborate with others, and discover their own creative voices.
“For the past 20 years our summer camps have offered a chance for kids to not only do theater, but to create their own original performances,” said Touchstone Theatre Education Director Mary Wright. “As a theatre rooted in local artists and creators, we love helping the next generation discover their own creative voices too. With this support from LVWL, we can ensure that kids who would really benefit from our programs but who might not be able to afford to attend, now have that chance. What a gift!”
Camp Touchstone 2026
Touchstone’s upcoming flagship summer program, Camp Touchstone, is open to children ages 8 to 12 and runs July 13 through July 24, 2026, Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The camp concludes with a final showcase for family and friends on Friday, July 24 at 7 p.m.
Camp Touchstone takes place at Touchstone Theatre, located at 321 East 4th Street in Bethlehem. Tuition is $475, with scholarships and financial support available through the new fund.
Families interested in Camp Touchstone who have not registered because of financial concerns are strongly encouraged to contact Mary Wright, Touchstone Theatre’s Education Director, at mary@touchstone.org.
You can donate directly to Touchstone Theatre using this link.
Anyone interested in learning more about the fund, contributing, or helping support future youth arts opportunities can contact George Wacker directly at george@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com.
Why We’re Starting This Fund
Lehigh Valley with Love Media wants more kids to go to art camp.
The arts give young people a place to explore, create, move, speak, listen, collaborate, and be heard. For some kids, a camp like this can be the first place where they feel comfortable trying something new. For others, it can be where they find their voice.
But for many families, the cost of camp can be a real barrier.
This fund is designed to help remove that barrier and make sure more children in the Lehigh Valley have access to creative experiences that can build confidence, independence, friendships, and a lifelong connection to the arts.
Lehigh Valley with Love Media is proud to support Touchstone Theatre, Camp Touchstone, and the young artists, performers, writers, and creators who will help shape the next generation of local storytelling.
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