Some kids are just drawn to the stage, whether that’s as an actor, musician, dancer or even a circus performer. These summer camps for kids who like the spotlight are designed to make kids shine, and they teach important life skills, such as cooperation, memorization and improvisation along the way.
There were a few summers when my kids participated in Peninsula Youth Theatre’s Theatre in the Parks program, and they were absolutely thrilled when it came to the end of the session since they got to put on a performance for their family and friends. While my daughter won’t let me forget that she was cast as a tree for three consecutive summers, she’ll readily admit that she loved every minute of it.
These camps are welcoming environments for all kids, even those who love the energy of a stage production but want more of a supporting role. Set design, directing and film editing are taught, and there are even programs devoted specifically to these important roles.
If you have a little one, middle-schooler or teenager who wants nothing more than to be a star, check out these summer camps throughout the Bay Area.
San Francisco
Circus Center – Circus Camp
Got a kid who dreams of running off to join the circus? This camp for kids ages 7-13 will have them flipping, juggling, clowning and performing in no time. The focus is on the circus arts, but they’ll also be working on cooperation, building confidence, teamwork and coordination. They’ll even soar through the air on the flying trapeze!
San Francisco Shakespeare Festival – Shakespeare Camp
During two-week summer camp sessions, kids ages 7-13 study all the elements of a Shakespearean play, from poetry and clowning to stage combat. The session ends with an abridged performance of a Shakespeare play, which can be enjoyed by your family and friends. Aftercare until 5:30pm is included in the camp cost.
Blue Bear Music Camp
If you have a kid who is itching to start their own garage band, this camp is the perfect option. Held at Fort Mason, most of the offerings are band camps, where a bass player, drummer, two guitar players, a keyboard player and two singers are brought together to work on songwriting and performance. They also offer camps for budding DJs and producers.
East Bay
Kids ‘N Dance ‘N Theater Arts Camp
Kids as young as 4 years old can take to the stage in these week-long summer camps in Oakland, where they’ll learn theater arts and end the week with a performance. For older kids, there are musical theater, improv and intensive theater options. All include a final performance, and some weeks have an off-site field trip.
School of Rock Camp
Budding musicians will love these Berkeley camps with themes that range from Classic Rock (the music of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones) to Best of the ’90s (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Weezer and Green Day are featured). Camps are tailored to skill levels, and most end with a performance.
Camp Reel Stories
These two-week camps in Oakland for aspiring filmmakers are open to girls and gender-expansive youth ages 11-17. Campers learn production skills and work as a team to write, film and edit their own documentary or narrative film. Film industry professionals speak about their craft, and the campers get to show their films at a Bay Area theater at the culmination of the program.
Peninsula
Peninsula Youth Theatre – Theatre in the Park
Young thespians learn all aspects of theater production, from costume making and props to acting and set creation. One- or two-week sessions are available, and there’s also a mini-camp for kids ages 5-6. Performances are held at outdoor venues throughout the Bay Area and are open to the public so you can bring all your friends. Camps are held in Los Altos, Mountain View and Saratoga.
Hope Musical Theatre Camp
Your child will be (almost) ready for Broadway at the end of this one-week camp in Palo Alto. Musical theater is the focus, and campers ages 6-15 put on a Broadway-style show at the end of the program with high-caliber sets and a live band. Daily dress-up themes, drama games and yoga add to the fun.
Myriad Music School – Dance, Music and Art Camps
You’ll definitely find a camp that your kid will love at Myriad Music School in San Mateo. Ukulele band camp, PJ Masks performance camp and Moana’s Magical Kingdom are a few of the fun weekly themes. Tiny Swifties can even learn different styles of dance choreographed to popular Taylor Swift songs in a dance-focused camp.
Silicon Valley
Young Actors’ Theater Camp
This overnight camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains offers an immersive summer camp experience. With seven- and 10-day programs, kids can choose the acting or musical theater tracks if they want to be on the stage or the creative track to learn about behind-the-scenes roles, such as script writing and set construction. All sessions end with a showcase for family and friends.
Children’s Musical Theatre of San Jose – Camp CMT
Voice, acting and dance are the focus of these always fun camps for kids ages 4 and up. The youngest campers start by learning call-and-answer songs, and skills progress to the older campers who focus on performance, dance and line memorization. The highlight of the two-week session is a performance for family.
Silicon Valley Shakespeare – ShakesCamp
The works of William Shakespeare are alive and well at ShakesCamp in San Jose, where campers spend two weeks diving into “The Tempest,” learning unarmed stage fighting, acting and improvisation. Every camper is cast in the final production, and no prior experience is needed. This camp offers five scholarships to cover camp fees.