Special Report: Camp Idol

Elisa Sipols loves to sing and dance but the 13-year-old from Norwell, says performing in public is not easy.

"I get nervous when I go on stage," Elisa said.

To help cure her stage fright, she turned to the professionals, packed her bag, and headed to American Idol Camp. The first camp run by the same people that bring you the hit TV show.

"I want to go back to my school or home and feel like I'm better at what I do now, and that I can go show the world and not be afraid to do it," Elisa said.

The camp is based in Northfield Massachusetts, and offers performing arts classes to aspiring Kelly Clarkson's or Clay Akin wannabes between the ages of 13 and 15. Campers choose their own classes, everything from drumming and African chanting to hip hop dancing.

The young 'stars in the making' are taught by industry professionals, just like the real contestants on American Idol, and these campers are dreaming big!

"I want to hopefully become a singer, I want to write my own music," Idol camper, Stephen Dexter, said.

"We all have the same passion here. We're all really dedicated kids and we have a lot of fun doing what we love to do," Idol camper, Jasmine Edwards, said.

As for Elisa, after just a few days at camp idol her stage fright is turning into a distant memory.

"I wasn't as confident as I am now. I feel like I'm such a better singer now," Elisa said.

This year there were two sessions of camp idol, next year they hope to add more and expand to other states.

The camp isn't cheap, it's almost $3,000, but they do offer scholarships.

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