If your child loves the stage, she'll love performing art camp. These camps offer instruction in dance, theatre, dramatic writing and the visual arts. Depending on age and ability, sessions may range from one to six weeks. Each program is geared to individual abilities and ages of participants, and cover all areas of the performing arts, from ballet to dramatic acting. 

Highlights: Performing art camp is even offered for elementary school students. Younger children can partake in day classes to introduce them to the world of performing arts through classes and workshops. These are geared toward fine arts or music, for example, followed by an afternoon of traditional camp adventures such as nature hikes and arts and crafts.

Levels of Expertise: For teens who are more serious about performing arts and want more exposure, they can sign up for a performing art camps that are more geared toward their abilities. High schoolers can take more intensive programs, where each camper is cast in a theatrical or dance production, with courses offered in areas like dramatic writing. They may have to attend evening and weekend rehearsals, culminating in a play, musical or dance number at the end of the session.

What to Ask the Camp Director: Are there discounts available for my child to attend performing art summer camps? Many times, camps offer sibling discounts, along with early bird discounts and referral discounts.