Attention all dancers, designers, singers, actors and artisans – summer is your time to shine. Get on stage and rock your summer at these top Art, Music and Dance Summer Camps in and around Bergen County NJ.
Neil Klatskin Summer Camps at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades Dance & Drama Camps Is your kid looking to get some real on-stage performance and/or dance experience? Broadway bound kids can try the Broadway Showtime Camp (3rd–10th grade), where each student has the opportunity to be a part of a big production while developing theater skills. This summer's musicals include Cinderella and Grease. Dancers can point their toes and enjoy a fun-filled day of dance and more traditional camp activities at Little Dancers’ Camp (ages 3–5) or the Dance Intensive (3rd-10th grade). Bonus – JCC summer programs are all-inclusive, with lunch, daily swim, towel service and more. (411 E. Clinton Ave., Tenafly, camps offered during specific weeks throughout the summer)
Porch Light Studio, Stage & Schools If your kid isn't a triple threat already, they will be after a summer at Porch Light Summer Stage. Each week brings a new, well-loved musical to work on. Junior Camps for grades K-5 and Teen Workshops for grades 6-12 encourage all experience levels to participate. Actors participate in themed weeks, where they will hone skill in acting, voice and dance. (555 Broad Street, Glen Rock, 201-857-3520, ages 5 - teens, camp dates are June 24-August 9 for Junior Camp; July 8-August 23 for Teen Workshops.)
Bach to Rock Let you child rock out this summer with one of Bach to Rock's musical camps that let them channel their inner superstar. Choose from Rock City Camp, Rock Band Camp, Glee Club Camp, and more. Whether they're a budding singer, have an instrument that they want to improve on, or want to learn how to produce their own music, Bach to Rock has a variety of summer break camps to hone their skills. Week-long camps are offered throughout the summer, and right now, you can save 25 percent if you register before March 1. (327 Franklin Ave., Wyckoff, 201-425-1120)
BergenPAC Summer Camp Get involved in bergenPAC's five-week summer musical that culminates with three performances in early August. Your child can work with top talent in northern NJ, and many alum have continued their professional development on Broadway and in film. Kids can also perfect their singing, dancing, and acting skills through the Musical Theater Workshop which also provides performance opportunities. (Camp dates are July 1-July 18 and July 29-August 15 with a performance on the Main Stage, 30 N Van Brunt St, Englewood, 201-482-8194 ext 78, education@bergenpac.org)
School of Rock Kids will rock out all summer long when they attend one of School of Rock’s weekly camp sessions which include daily rehearsals, logo and poster design, and intensive songwriting and performances. Choose from Rock 101 Camp, Best of the '90s Camp, Party in the UK Camp, Taylor Swift Camp, Rookies Camp for beginners, and more. Camps offered for various experience levels. (50 Piermont Rd., Cresskill, 201-568-7625 or 152 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, 201-444-4425; 24 West Pleasant Ave., Maywood ages 6–18, camps vary by location, camp runs June 17-August 30, not all camps available each week)
Stage Left Children’s Theater Kids with an itch for performing will love Stage Left’s programs. Each child auditions during the first class for a role, and everyone receives a speaking role. Mixed in with plenty of theater activities, your budding actor is sure to have a blast while learning about performing arts. Summer 2024 musicals include The Spongebob Musical, Rock of Ages (Youth Edition), Nemo Jr., and more. (111 Route 303, Tappan, 845-365-9000, camps run July 1-August 10)
Curtain Up Studios’ Musical Theatre Summer Camp This week-long program helps budding actors ages 6-16 hone their auditioning, acting, singing and dancing skills. Each child works with Curtain Up’s artistic directors that leads to a final performance at the end of the week, while developing their skills in memorizing lines, blocking, choreography and more. This summer's show options include Winnie the Pooh Jr., Willy Wonka Jr., The Lion King Kids, and Descendants the Musical. (201-988-2493, 4 one-week sessions run from July 8-August 9, vary by age group)
One River School Your budding artist will love the full roster of art and digital design camps that are offered for kids as young as kindergarten and as old as 12th grade. Kids have the opportunity to work with artisans and professionals skilled in areas like digital design, animation, street art, clay sculpting and watercolors. (49 N. Dean St., Englewood, 201-266-5244 or 319 Franklin Turnpike, Allendale, 201-466-1372, camp runs from June 24 – August 30)
Broadway Theater Workshops Summer Camp Kids in grades 3-12 can enroll in BTW's Junior Theater Camp, Senior Theater Camp, Performance Theater Camp, and new for 2024, BTW Bonus week for more advanced technical training. Workshops include learning about acting, dance, speech and diction, improvisation, stage combat, and more. Camp ends with a "musical revue" or final demonstration for friends and family, where campers can show off their newly honed talents. (The Inserra Theater at St. Joseph Regional High School, 40 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Montvale, camp dates vary, email info@btwstars.com or call 201-520-7233)
Clay Paper Scissors Studio When those dog days of summer get so hot that being outside sounds cruel, send your little maker to one of the great camps at Clay Paper Scissors Studio. Past camps have included a fashion camp, their signature slime camp, and a DIY camp. Kids will get to explore their crafty side while having fun and making friends with similar interests. (380 Kinderkamack Rd., Oradell, 201-523-9379, camps run from late June through August)
Rockland Center for the Arts Summer Camp RoCA camp encourages budding artists to develop their skills in a variety of art programs. Situated on 10 acres, there’s plenty of space for both indoor and outdoor art education, as well as a pool and open field to for active summer fun. Campers are grouped by grade, including K through 9, and participate in a theme through visual and performing arts. Activities include gardening, ceramics, cartooning, dance & movement, 3D art and much more. (27 South Greenbush Rd., West Nyack, 845-358-0877, info@rocklandartcenter.org, camp runs in 2,4,6 or 8-week sessions, July 1–August 23)
Yellow Door Art Studio Relatively new to Westwood, this art studio is bringing the craft to your child's summer. Campers will learn about different mediums by exploring slime making, pottery, group mural painting, and so much more. Ages 4 to 12 will have fun, learn, and make new friends all through their mutual love of art. Budding fashionistas can also sign up for YDAS' Fashion Camp which lets them design wearable art like T-shirts, bags, and jewelry, and participate in their own Yellow Door Fashion Show. (24 Booker Street, Westwood, Art Camp runs July 8-August 23; Fashion Camp runs July 15-August 16)
