Music, theater, and performing arts camps for East Bay kids

Music and Theater Day Camps for East Bay Kids

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

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Go Girls! Oakland

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: 8:30 am to 4 pm
    Earliest Drop off: 08:30 am
    Latest Pick-up: 05:45 pm
Price: $1199 per 2 week session. Earlybird discount available. 50% non-refundable deposit required at registration.
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 3, Week of June 10, Week of June 17, Week of June 24, Week of July 8, Week of July 15

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Shu Ren Mandarin Immersion Summer Camp

Campers learn Mandarin through the lens of inquiry with 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. In Berkeley & San Jose.

Camp Hours: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
    Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
    Latest Pick-up: 05:30 pm
Price: $500-$550 per week based on 2-week sessions
Grades: ages 2+, ages 3+, preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 17, Week of June 24, Week of July 1, Week of July 8, Week of July 15, Week of July 22, Week of July 29, Week of Aug. 5

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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 - 3:30 pm
    Earliest Drop off: 08:45 am
    Latest Pick-up: 03:45 pm
Price: $525 per week. Sibling and Multi-Camp Discounts Available
Grades: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 3, Week of June 10, Week of June 17, Week of June 24, Week of July 15, Week of July 22, Week of July 29, Week of Aug. 5

Discount for {510} Families readers:

Use code 510FamiliesCamp2024 to save $25 on each purchased camp week. Expires 4/30/24.

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Camp Reel Stories

Camp Reel Stories is a filmmaking camp for teen girls and gender-expansive youth. Campers work together in teams to write, film, and edit their own films using industry standard technology with support from professional filmmakers. TWO WEEKS ONLY

Camp Hours: 9:30 am to 3 pm
    Earliest Drop off: 09:30 am
    Latest Pick-up: 03:00 pm
Price: $1,200 for 2-week session. Save $100 before 3/31/24
Grades: 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 17, Week of June 24

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Reel Stories Boot Camp

Reel Stories Boot Camp is a beginner filmmaking camp for girls and gender expansive youth. Campers will write, film, and edit their own movies using easy to access technology and screen their final films at a local Bay Area theater! ONE WEEK ONLY

Camp Hours: 9 am to 2 pm
    Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
    Latest Pick-up: 03:00 pm
Price: $600 tuition per week. Save $50 before 3/31/24
Grades: 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 3

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One Generation Camp

Through world music and dance campers explore world cultures, build community and develop kindness all in the great outdoors! Offering West African Dance and Hand Drumming, Cuban Dance, Body Percussion, Brazilian Capoeira, and hiking for ages 5-12. Jr CIT program starts at age 13.

Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
    Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
    Latest Pick-up: 03:00 pm
Price: $550 per week, $1,100 per 2-week session. Earlybird and sibling discounts available.
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 17, Week of June 24, Week of July 1, Week of July 8, Week of July 15, Week of July 22

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San Francisco Girls Chorus Summer Chorus Camp

SFGC’s Summer Chorus Camps provide a safe, supportive environment for children to learn about singing and music with musicianship time, choral rehearsals, arts and crafts, guest artists, and a showcase performance. No singing experience needed.

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: 09:00 am
    Latest Pick-up: 04:00 pm
Price: $775 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): Week of July 15, Week of July 22

Discount for {510} Families readers:

$50 early-bird discount available before May 1

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Sees the Day Summer Program -- A Classroom without Walls

Sees the Day is committed to helping children develop respect and appreciation for each other and the natural world. Activities include guest educators, storytelling, improv, music, imaginative play, cooperative games, beading, fairy house/fort building, gratitude circles, and classic summertime fun!

Camp Hours: 8:45 am to 4:30 pm
    Earliest Drop off: 08:30 am
    Latest Pick-up: 05:30 pm
Price: $550 per week. $110 per day. Fee assistance is available upon request
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 10, Week of June 17, Week of June 24, Week of July 1, Week of July 8, Week of July 15, Week of July 22, Week of July 29, Week of Aug. 5, Week of Aug. 12, Week of Aug. 19

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Berkwood Hedge School Hill Campus Summer Camp

Theme weeks range from theater, writing, art, Minecraft, and sports. Campers experience a mix of physical activity and creative expression daily while being immersed in their chosen interest - learning new skills and forming lasting connections. Need not be a Berkwood Hedge student to attend.

Camp Hours: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
    Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
    Latest Pick-up: 05:00 pm
Price: $600 per week. $550 early bird pricing before 4/1/24. Only Theater Camp is a 2-week session. Free aftercare until 5 pm
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 10, Week of June 17, Week of June 24

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Berkeley Rep Summer Intensive

Looking for summer fun? Berkeley Rep’s got you covered. Create an original play, musical, or film, perform for friends and family, and learn from award-winning professional artists. All experience levels welcome— the only requirement is an open mind and collaborative spirit!

Camp Hours: 9 am to 4 pm for theatre camp; 4:30 to 7:30 pm for film program
    Earliest Drop off: 08:45 am
    Latest Pick-up: 04:15 pm
Price: $450-$1,350 per camp. Sessions range from 1 to 3 weeks.
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 10, Week of June 17, Week of June 24, Week of July 8, Week of July 15, Week of July 22, Week of July 29

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Cole Arts Camp

Cole Arts Camp offers fun, relaxed and joyful activities in drama, storytelling, comedy and improv, puppetry, hip hop and creative dance, drumming, music, and crafts. Each session ends with a variety show for family and friends.

Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
    Earliest Drop off: 08:00 am
    Latest Pick-up: 05:30 pm
Price: $500 per week. $100 per day. $450 per week for siblings
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 3, Week of June 10, Week of June 17, Week of June 24, Week of July 1, Week of July 8, Week of July 15, Week of July 22

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Creative Music Camp by Kate Campbell Piano Studio

Creative, project-based camps combine fundamental skills with imagination to engage with the music that is in our lives every day. Join in and make music: compose a masterpiece, record an album, build custom instruments! TWO WEEKS ONLY. 🎶

Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
    Earliest Drop off: 08:50 am
    Latest Pick-up: 03:10 pm
Price: $525 per week
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Camp Season (2023): Week of June 10, Week of July 22

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FAD PAD Summer Camps

The FAD PAD is a wonderful, creative, safe, magical outdoor space for fun, art, drama, cooking, storytelling, cooperative games, fabric crafts, Fairylore and Starwitz (Harry Potter). 4-8 students, K-5th. Hammock, swings, tree to climb, and gardens to explore!

Camp Hours: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
    Earliest Drop off: 09:30 am
    Latest Pick-up: 03:30 pm
Price: $500 per week
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
Camp Season (2023): Week of May 27, Week of June 3, Week of June 10, Week of June 24, Week of July 8, Week of July 15, Week of July 29, Week of Aug. 5

Cantare’s Summer Music Camp

FREE 2-week music camp with singing, musicianship, dancing and games. Special Event: field trip to a live performance on the final day.

Camp Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
    Earliest Drop off: 09:00 am
    Latest Pick-up: 03:15 pm
Price: 2-week session is free of charge
Grades: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Camp Season (2023):

children campers in a drum circle outside
One Generation campers create a drum circle together | Photo: One Generation
girls on stage in costumes
Go Girls! practice theater, expressive arts, music, perform plays for their peers, and produce media that is driven by their voice and creativity. | Photo: Go Girls!

Did we leave out your favorite performing arts camp? Leave a comment below!

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