UPDATE (August 11, 2023): This article has been updated with a name correction.

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Created and managed principally by Francine Wheeler of Ben’s Lighthouse, the “Isle of Skoo” summer camp transports participants into a puppetry- and music-centered realm of color, learning, and friendship.

The camp takes place at Christ the King Lutheran Church, transforming the space into a beachy wonderland.

Each day in the weeklong sessions starts with a vibrant puppet show with a lush, tactile set centering Skoo and his sea animal friends. The lively characters learn how to treat each other more consciously, forgive each other for mistakes, and peacefully coexist on the island.

Wheeler said the puppets have different issues and character traits, to teach kids to identify emotions and empathize.

She said the message kids receive from the program is to learn how to “stand tall, shine bright, and share in your light” — part of the mission of Ben’s Lighthouse. The organization was formed following the loss of her young son Ben, who was among the 20 Sandy Hook Elementary School students killed on 12/14.

According to Wheeler, she began the “Skoo” program in collaboration with Newtown Theater Educator Twyla Haferman on Saturday mornings at the C.H. Booth Library. In 2019, the camp was introduced only to be shut down in 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic. In 2022, in-person Skoo was reintroduced to the community and this summer, the isle was in more demand than ever, sustaining a waiting list.

Initially, Wheeler hosted the show.

In 2022, Ashley Raymond was appointed to host as Wheeler realized she wanted to manage and improve the program by being an observer, ever-present at camp. Raymond has a background in music and theater.

Like Raymond, Wheeler said all who are involved with the production of the show are professionals in their craft, and student volunteers who mentor the campers are involved in the arts, too.

Familiar Feel

Stepping into the Isle of Skoo camp atmosphere may, for some, feel a lot like stepping onto Sesame Street. The eye-feel of the large sets, bright colors and attitude of the production, and appearance of the puppets lends itself to nostalgia of the television show.

This is not a coincidence. According to Francine Wheeler, acclaimed puppeteer and puppet maker Heather Asch was connected early on with help from a Ben’s Lighthouse board who knew people in the industry.

Asch holds credits in her work on famed children’s kids shows such as Sesame Street, Between the Lions, and Oobi. Wheeler’s husband David drew the pictures of the puppets, and Asch made it happen.

“For the last couple years, she has been instrumental in making this come true,” said Wheeler. “She introduced us to a professional set designer who did the set, and it’s beautiful and professionally done.”

Asch has stayed in touch, improving the show’s function with added or improved elements and puppets. Most recently, Wheeler said Asch has been making the puppets easier to operate.

“A lot of the puppets now have sticks, so can move without so much pressure on the arm,” said Wheeler. “She thought about all of this for us, and how to make it serve us the best way she can.”

Showtime

The response from young audience members toward the show seemed to be very warm. Attendees seemed eager to interact with the puppets, which was encouraged as the show was fully interactive and required various levels of audience input throughout.

The campers were referred to as “keepers” by the characters of the show — lighthouse keepers. On Skoo’s Island, there is a prominent lighthouse in the middle of the set. Children seemed immersed in their love of the production, applauding and reacting with apparent earnestness at various times.

The atmosphere was calm and focused as the play led the audience from one lesson to another, incorporating a healthy dose of silliness amongst themes of mindfulness.

In addition, the show was musical. Characters had expressive songs to a lively backing track, and children were prompted afterward to hypothesize what they might be feeling.

For example, Sasha the seahorse sang a song which accused the lead puppet (named Skoo) of cheating because she assumes she always wins games.

“I think it’s because she always wants to be perfect, but it’s not always about that,” responded a camper.

Ashley Raymond, real-life human and enthusiastic host of the Isle of Skoo production, affirmed this hypothesis. This segued into yet another lesson as Raymond proposed another game for characters to play — a spinoff of “Simon Says.”

The game seemed to be a covert commentary about disability, and the risk of excluding others who are different. Sasha could not perform the “Simon Says” tasks, because, as a seahorse, she lacks limbs.

“I don’t belong in your game. Lighthouse keepers, I must be off!” Sasha said, in a huff.

One camper guessed Sasha didn’t feel included, and Raymond’s character then directly took accountability for her puppet friend’s hurt feelings.

“This is my fault, because I didn’t include Sasha in the game,” said Raymond.

Skoo, Raymond, and Sasha talked it out, concluding Sasha deserved to be able to play with the others because she is “a living creature.”

The show took a break for each camper to design their own large puzzle. Each camper was accompanied by their mentor, who helped them with the craft, many of whom are active in or recent alumni to Newtown school theater programs.

At the end of the craft, the mentors and mentees placed their piece of the puzzle with the variety of others, which seemed to symbolize inclusion of all.

“We win when we solve the puzzle,” Raymond said, introducing the craft. “Some games one person wins, some games everyone wins.”

Special Relationships

The mentor-mentee bond, foundational to the camp since its inception, seemed to emulate a close sibling relationship. The camper and the teen never separated, sitting together during the show, and playing or crafting together during the free period outside.

Wheeler explained this idea was inspired by a mentorship program her son Nate experienced after 12/14.

“He wanted to keep going back to see that mentor,” said Wheeler. “I thought, ‘wow, wouldn’t it be great if we could continue a mentorship piece?”

Wheeler explained it is typical for campers, who are aged four through six, to have separation anxiety which dissipates once they connect with their mentor. According to Wheeler, this connection “helps them feel safe and heard” and encourages them to relate to their peers with their mentor’s help.

“We’re not going to have an issue where there’s going to be kids sitting by themselves, because if the kid wants to sit by themselves, their mentor will sit with them,” said Wheeler.

She continued, explaining that Ben’s Lighthouse switched gears from building and reconstruction-based service work to providing service opportunities through the arts and mentorship. She added some kids come back year after year asking for the same mentor.

“The kids get a lot of volunteer hours from it. They love to be with each other, and it’s fun for them,” said Wheeler on the high school mentors. “Then, they get babysitting jobs, too.”

Share The Light

There seems to be a sense of magnetism and staying power for those involved in the Isle of Skoo.

“I love being in the puppet show, and I love the lessons we teach,” said Raymond, adding she enjoys watching the mentorship interactions, and hearing the kids reference the show in their learning.

Newtown Theater Education Janice Gabriel said she was initially involved with Skoo “on a whim.”

“After being there for two minutes I said ‘I need to stay. I need to be a part of this,’” Gabriel said in conversation with The Newtown Bee.

Wheeler’s son Nate was working the soundboard that day, and recently learned how to use all of the puppets in the production.

Wheeler said she sees the program as bringing joy to the town, and as “part of our Newtown community in a great way.”

The artist later added reflections on the greatest rewards of the “Isle of Skoo” camp program.

“What’s most rewarding for me is to see that my late son Ben’s legacy is honored continuously year after year after year in a way that would make him smile,” said Wheeler, “because all he wanted to do was to be a lighthouse keeper, and now we have created that.”

Wheeler alluded that new tides may be in the future for Skoo and his friends.

At this point we’re not traveling around, but maybe someday,” she said.

Reporter Noelle Veillette can be reached at noelle@thebee.com.