For kids who want to perform, sing, dance, play music, and act. These summer camps are a tremendous creative outlet. This roundup of performing arts camps includes a range of creative pursuits from instruments to vocals, and dramatic fun. Lovers of musical theater, yes, please. Kids get to focus on these activities all day long instead of just after school. Learn more about these and other East Bay camps in our 2023 Summer Camp Guide and our Bay Area sleepaway camps guide for more options for young performing artists and musicians!
Thank you to our sponsors: Go Girls!, One Generation, Mr. D’s Music Club, Kinetic Arts Center, Little Theater Company, San Francisco Girls Chorus, Seele Stars, Oakland School for the Arts (OSA), and Pacific Boychoir Academy.
- Go Girls! empowers girls and gender-expansive youth to take center stage with theater, music, dance, and media. In Oakland for grades 1 to 8.
- One Generation Camp is an outdoor music and dance camp in Tilden Park for ages 5 to 10, featuring West African hand drumming, Brazilian Capoeira, Body Percussion, and Cuban Dance.
- Mr. D’s Music Club offers high-energy singing, dancing, acting, and art for grades 3 to 7 in Oakland.
- Kinetic Arts Center Circus Camps teach circus arts to ages 6 to 9 and aerial arts to ages 10 to 13 in Oakland. Camps culminate in a Friday Circus Show.
- Little Theater Company actors do everything to put on a theatrical production in a 2-week session for grades K to 6 in Alameda.
- San Francisco Girls Chorus Summer Chorus Camp is a weeklong program for girls and non-binary singers, ages 4 to 11 in Emeryville.
- Seele Stars Performing Arts campers sing, dance, and act as they build toward a show for families for grades 1 to 8 in Berkeley.
- Oakland School for the Arts (OSA) offers a two-week academy in visual and performing arts for grades 4 to 9 in Oakland.
- Pacific Boychoir Academy offers a one-week summer music choral immersion and interactive music-making program for boys and girls in grades K to 6 in Oakland.
East Bay Camps for Performers in Music and Theater
Shu Ren Mandarin Immersion Summer Camp
Shu Ren campers will learn Mandarin through the lens of inquiry, as they engage in hands-on activities that explore scientific discoveries, visual and culinary art from around the world. Camp is designed for all levels of Mandarin language learners, even beginners.
Camp Hours: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 05:30 pm
Price: $500 per week based on 2 and 3 week long sessions
Grades: ages 2+, ages 3+, preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Camp Season (2023):
Go Girls!
Go Girls! empowers girls & gender-expansive youth to take center stage. With the Go Girls! Culture Code; theater, expressive art, music, dance, and media, campers practice brave and bold choices in their lives and communities. Performances are driven by their voice and creativity.
Camp Hours: 9 am - 4 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 05:30 pm
Price: $899/session (2 weeks); Save $30 per session before 3/31/23; 25% deposit due at registration. $80/week for aftercare.
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Camp Season (2023):
Mr. D's Music Club
Mr. D's Music Club's multi-award-winning summer camps offer high-energy days of singing, dancing, acting, art, fun, and friends. Camp includes picnic lunches, games, talent shows, pizza lunch, and a Friday performance for friends & family. Discover one of Oakland’s "best-kept secrets."
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3:30 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:45 am
Latest Pick-up: 03:45 pm
Price: $450 per week
Grades: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th
Camp Season (2023):
Use code 510FamiliesCamp2023 to save $25 on each purchased camp week. Expires 5/31/23.
Little Theater Company
Over 2 weeks campers will audition, memorize lines, learn choreography, create backdrops, imagine costumes, and rehearse. Campers work together to put on a 1-hour show with traditional camp activities and playtime in between. The atmosphere is encouraging and joyful.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 06:00 pm
Price: $970 per two-week session ($250 for before and after care for 2 weeks)
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
Camp Season (2023):
Save 15% with code 510FAM until 2/28/23
Redwood Day Summer Program
The Redwood Day School summer program will offer flexibility while allowing for a fun, engaging, and robust experience with cooking, art, and sports. The program is open to all children 4 years old - rising 8th grade and kids do NOT have to be Redwood Day students to attend.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 4 pm or 9 am to noon & 1 pm to 4 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 04:30 pm
Price: $540 per week of full-day sessions | $270 per week of half-day sessions
Grades: preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Camp Season (2023):
One Generation Camp
An outdoor music and dance camp for ages 5-10, and a CIT program for ages 11-18: West African Dance and Hand Drumming, Cuban Dance, Body Percussion, Brazilian Capoeira, and hiking. Kindness, community, and culture through music and dance.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 03:00 pm
Price: $525 per week or $1000 per 2-week session. Early Bird, Sibling, and Single Parent Discounts plus scholarships available
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
Camp Season (2023):
Camp Reel Stories
Make a movie in just two weeks! At Camp Reel Stories, girls and gender-expansive youth (ages 12-18) learn the craft of filmmaking, sharpen their media literacy skills, make industry connections, and create movies that represent themselves and inspire others.
Camp Hours: 9:30 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 03:30 pm
Price: $1200 for 2-week session, Early Bird Discount $1100 until 3/31/23. No campers turned away for lack of funds.
Grades: 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Camp Season (2023):
Crowden Summer Music Camps and Workshops
Try a fun and inspiring summer music camp at Crowden! From exploratory music camp to exhilarating chamber music intensives, Crowden offers summer programs for all levels of experience: Instrument Discovery Camp, Summer Strings, and John Adams Young Composers Workshop.
Camp Hours: Times vary by camp
Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 06:00 pm
Price: Prices vary by camp. Financial aid available.
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Camp Season (2023):
Crafty Makers Camp/Camp 510
Crafty Makers Camp/Camp 510 is a local artist-run day camp. Campers learn new art techniques through multimedia projects, including performative art. Unique projects are carefully chosen for each week of camp and are scaled to be developmentally appropriate for each age group.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 06:00 pm
Price: $475 per week
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th
Camp Season (2023):
San Francisco Girls Chorus Summer Chorus Camp
A weeklong day camp for girls and non-binary singers, ages 4-11, to experience group singing in a fun, supportive environment. No singing experience is needed. Led by SF Girls Chorus choral directors with special guest artists. In SF and East Bay!
Camp Hours: Section 1 (ages 4-6) is 10 am to 3 pm and Section 2 (ages 7-11) is 9 am to 4 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 04:30 pm
Price: $700 per week for Section 1; $825 per week for Section 2
Grades: preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
Camp Season (2023):
$50 early-bird discount available before March 15
Circus Summer Camps at Kinetic Arts Center
Lessons build to the weekly Circus Show with Circus Arts (6 - 9yrs) of aerial, acrobatics, juggling, and dancing as well as Sky High Aerials (10 - 13yrs) including aerial hoop, static & single point trapeze, rope, and tissue. Experienced aerialists learn more advanced tricks and develop flair and style.
Camp Hours: 9 am - 4 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:45 am
Latest Pick-up: 06:00 pm
Price: $495 per week
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Camp Season (2023):
Aurora School Summer Camp
Choose from Creators & Explorers, a general camp that includes woodshop, science, creative writing, coding, crafts, and sports; Theater Arts Camp performing Suessical the Musical; and LEGO and Engineering with TechKnowHow. Camps fill up fast, if a session is full register for the waitlist.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 or 3:30 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 05:00 pm
Price: $535 per week
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Camp Season (2023):
Summer Music at Pacific Boychoir Academy
ONE WEEK ONLY of choral immersion and interactive music-making for boys and girls. Campers work with experienced directors on vocal technique, theory, Orff-Schulwerk (movement & instruments), and team-building activities. Day Camp on PBA campus is open to the community.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 4 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 05:00 pm
Price: $450 per week
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
Camp Season (2023):
Summer Arts Academy at Oakland School for the Arts (OSA)
Hands-on arts experience led by working artists for learners of all levels with classes in Audio Production & Engineering, Theatre, Fashion Design, Printmaking, Rock Band, Photography, Film, Dance, Vocal Music, Video Game Design, and Visual Media Arts for ages 9-14.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 05:00 pm
Price: $1,150 per 9-day camp session (first Monday, no camp). Discounts for students receiving free or reduced lunch benefits. Scholarships and financial assistance is available
Grades: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Camp Season (2023):
Seele Stars
Seele Stars sing, dance, & act as they develop skills/friendships each summer. Taught by a credentialed teacher, they are committed to safe, fun learning via musical theater. Each weeklong camp is different & ends with a performance for families.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 4 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:50 am
Latest Pick-up: 04:10 pm
Price: $450 per week
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Camp Season (2023):
Bay Area Shakespeare Camp
Whether this is your first time at a theatre camp or you’re returning for another awesome summer, Shakespeare Camp has something for everyone! Learn about acting, production design, and Shakespeare in a fun and engaging way with experienced teaching artists. ONE 2-WK SESSION ONLY.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 03:00 pm
Price: $970 for 2 weeks (one week not an option)
Grades: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Camp Season (2023):
Cole Arts Camp
A full day arts camp featuring drama, dance, Hip- Hop, drumming, puppetry, storytelling and arts and crafts. Each week ends with a fun variety show for the families.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 05:30 pm
Price: $450 per week. 10% multi week and sibling discounts
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
Camp Season (2023):
Creative Music Camps at Kate Campbell Piano Studio
Campers explore and engage with the music that is in our lives every day. All camps are project-based and collaborative scaling easily to a child’s experience level and interests. Try Recording Studio, Composers’ Workshop, or both. Play an amplified cactus, write music, and record songs.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 03:00 pm
Price: $490 per week
Grades: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Camp Season (2023):
Girls Summer Program by Julia Morgan School
The 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade camp (6/19-6/30) focuses on empowering girls to express themselves authentically through art and STEAM activities. The 7th and 8th grade camps: a 2-week Performing Arts Camp (7/3-7/14) and a 1-week Science and Nature Camp (7/10-7/14).
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 03:30 pm
Price: $500 for a 5-day camp; $900 for 9-day camp; $50 discount by March 31
Grades: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Camp Season (2023):
JCC East Bay Summer Camp
The JCC offers an intimate day camp experience to discover new interests, test personal limits, and have fun. Through traditional and specialty camps, they give campers a sense of Judaism in a whole new way with service projects, art, theater, STEM, sports, and more.
Camp Hours: 9:00am-3:30pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:30 am
Latest Pick-up: 05:30 pm
Price: $525/week; multi-week, returning campers, sibling discounts available
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
Camp Season (2023):
Love Oakland Summer Camp by New City Church
Love Oakland Summer Camp is a 4-day camp (June 20-23) hosted by New City Church designed to create a fun, safe and exciting environment for Oakland's youth. Love Oakland daily activities include games, sports, Bible stories, songs & arts/crafts. Love Oakland is $50 for the week.
Camp Hours: 12:30 pm to 5 pm
Earliest Drop off: 12:30 pm
Latest Pick-up: 05:00 pm
Price: $50 per 4-day session
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
Camp Season (2023):
Berkeley Playhouse: Musical Theater Camps
1-Week, 2-Week, and 3-week Story-based and Triple Threat camps.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 06:00 pm
Price: $450 per week. 1-Week, 2-Week, and 3-week sessions available
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Camp Season (2023):
Cantare’s Summer Music Camp
FREE 2-week half-day music camp with singing, musicianship, dancing and games. Special Event: field trip & national anthem performance at an Oakland A’s game, Thur. 6/15
Camp Hours: 9 am to 12:15 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 12:15 pm
Price: 2-week session is free of charge
Grades: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Camp Season (2023):
Creations Berkeley
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm; Extended care Tik Tok dance sessions until 5 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 07:30 pm
Price: $700 per week | Tik Tok Session: $250 per week or $200 as an add-on
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
Camp Season (2023):
Riveropolis Maker Camp: Land of Tree People
Riveropolis campers construct a fantastic model river world with rain, waterfalls, lakes, and islands.
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 06:00 pm
Price: $990 for a 9-day session in Berkeley | $1215 for a 9-day session in SF
Grades: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
Camp Season (2023):
School of Rock Classic Rock & Blues Camp
Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
Latest Pick-up: 03:00 pm
Price: $799 per week
Grades: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th
Camp Season (2023):
Did we leave out your favorite performing arts camp? Leave a comment below!
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