By Diane Gasper-O’Brien
FHSU University Relations and Marketing
They’re called “day campers,” the ones who drive from their home to campus each morning for the High Plains Music Camp.
But that name is a little deceiving for Blake and Bianca Lucas, who have spent the past week at Fort Hays State University during their first-ever trip to Kansas.
The Lucas siblings, you see, are from Syracuse, N.Y. Definitely a long commute, and if there was a prize awarded campers who made the longest trip, Blake and Bianca would win hands down.
However, they are still considered day campers because they are spending the nights with their parents, Tom and Lisa Lucas, at a local hotel.
“That is kind of funny that we’re day campers, considering where we’re from,” said 16-year-old Blake, who is participating in the vocal portion of the camp.
“When I tell people I’m from New York, they stare at me,” added 12-year-old Bianca, a flutist.
Bianca was excited after the first two days of camp when she earned the honors of first chair flute in the middle school band.
While campers annually come from all across Kansas and surrounding states for the longest-running camp of its kind, those from thousands of miles away usually have a unique situation surrounding their attendance.
Such is the case for the Lucas family.
Lisa is in her fifth semester of working on her master’s degree in school psychology through FHSU’s Virtual College. When she decided to pursue her master’s, Lisa researched online programs and found FHSU’s program to her liking.
“I discovered that it is a very reputable program that eventually leads to certification as a school psychologist in my state, as well as certification through the National Association of School Psychologists,” Lisa said. “I am grateful for being able to obtain such a high-quality education that gives me the flexibility to maintain my work and take care of my family.”
One of the requirements in Lisa’s master’s curriculum is attending a one-week seminar on the FHSU campus called “Appraisal of Children,” so Lisa knew she would be coming to Kansas this summer. Her family — all native New Yorkers — wanted to come along and see what Kansas, and Fort Hays State, was all about.
“So I Googled camps in the area,” Lisa said, “and I was very, very happy that not only was there a camp on campus this particular week, but it was a music camp.”
Both Blake and Bianca are heavily involved in music — vocal and instrumental — and theater back home, and they were excited to learn about the music camp. They were impressed after the first day on campus.
“It’s pretty intense, a lot of work to do this week,” said Blake, who has been pleased with the quality of instruction at the camp.
“I was nervous at first,” Bianca said, “but then I started making a lot of friends.”
Tom — a songwriter/musician himself — accompanied his family to Hays, and it’s been a vacation to remember for the entire family, Lisa said.
“We were pretty lucky,” she said. “The stars all lined up for us to be here.”
The student concerts will complete the music camp Saturday, but the memories of spending a week at Fort Hays State will last a long time.
“I have really enjoyed talking with everyone here,” said Blake, who said if he had the opportunity, he would like to return to the music camp sometime.
“One night, our daughter said, ‘It feels like we live here now,’ ” Lisa said. “I thought that was a real sign of how welcomed she feels here.”