Finally tonight, it may just be one of the best ways to stretch the bodies, minds and spirits of kids in Newark.

The nationally acclaimed Ailey camp is back.

It's a six week dance and music program that uses the arts to help kids develop better confidence and critical thinking.

This year, Ailey camp, founded by renowned choreographer Alvin Ailey, is celebrating 35 years of helping students reach their full potential, regardless of their skill level.

Or even Santana visited the students as they prepare for their final performance Thursday night.

As a hypnotic African drumbeat fills the empty gymnasium.

A group of dancers received positive feedback from one of their teachers to do it again, but this time with more excellence.

Step by step excellence is the theme of this year's Ailey camp, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary.

The camp was founded in 1989 in Missouri by world renowned dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey.

Newark is just one of the ten cities nationwide where the camp is held.

This summer, 95 students attended the camp that was held here at Arts High School.

Mr. Ailey believe that dance was really for everyone, but especially for our young people.

It's a vehicle in which they can express themselves.

Cherise Hill is co-director of the Newark Camp, which offers a variety of lessons ranging from visual arts, percussion and dance.

The six week camp is free of charge to students ages 11 through 14, through funding by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

Newark Public Schools and Prudential.

In addition to offering free classes, students are also provided with free attire and free breakfast and lunch.

The program also encourages personal development for students, including reciting daily affirmations, letter.

Oh.

The best part no prior dance experience is required to enroll.

And participants I spoke with say that's because the camp is about more than just dance.

If you don't have friends at school, if you don't have friends at home, this is your family.

This is your.

Friends.

I really doubted myself in the school year because I just felt like I didn't really fit in.

But then as I came here, I gained a lot of my confidence and self-esteem because I just really realized that being myself was the way I can truly shine.

The camp has nearly 20 teachers and five group leaders, including Zayid Yuri, who attended the camp when he was just 11.

He says the camp is also a great way to break stigmas around boys who dance.

When I was 11, I first got to Ailey camp.

I wasn't too fond of ballet.

And, you know, I was always the I was a kid.

I didn't know too much of it.

But when I grew up and actually got to appreciate it more, I'm like, okay, men can do this.

A guy can become a dancer and not make it seem like it's feminine or things of that nature.

The camp curriculum that offers for daily dance techniques also offers classes that focus on building confidence in challenging situations, but serving it that day.

So we touch on a myriad of topics which include peer pressure, conflict resolution, health and nutrition.

We also encourage the campers to think critically.

So we try to equip them with enough in their toolkit to boost their self-esteem and become more confident individuals.

Hill says the program embodies Mr. Ailey's mission to help youth reach their full potential in a safe place.

It teaches them empowerment and agency.

It gives them a mantra that they can own and claim, and they still utilize those after well after camp into their adulthood.

Dancers will now take everything they have learned and have their moment to shine at their final performance on stage at the NJ PAC tomorrow night.

Hill says enrollment for next year's camp opens up next spring.

For NJ Spotlight News, I'm Raven Santana.