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Percussion camps near you

We list percussion camps and kids programs in cities across Canada. Find your city in the list below and find percussion-focused camps at the top of the list, with other camps offering some instruction beneath that.

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More than just summer camp

For the truly enthusiastic aspiring percussionist, there are a number of different ways to indulge their love of drumming, including programs run year round and camps that offer a weeklong (or longer) immersion. Use our site to find different options below.

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The benefits of percussion camps

Gain or deepen your child’s appreciation for music. This obvious benefit should never be underappreciated. We’re surrounded by music; it’s central to the human experience. Through camp, kids will begin to appreciate all the elements that go into the creation and production of music, including rhythm, beat, melody, musical patterns and styles, audio/visual and production equipment, and so much more. Music will no longer be only background noise of their favourite TV shows, video games, movies or long car rides, but it will stimulate curiosity in the processes that occur in its creation, long before it reaches their ears.

Exposure to different genres of music. A common criticism of music we encounter daily, whether it be on the radio or on curated playlists, is that many songs sound the same. Enrolling your child in any music camp exposes them to different kinds and styles, expanding their horizons to develop more diversified musical interests. Percussion camp teaches your child about different genres, time periods and cultures, as well as music trends. Instructors can cater the students’ experience to their naturally drawn interests.

Hands-on learning. Percussion camps allow kids to put down their computer, iPad or school textbook and focus on learning through active play. Students participate in their own learning through direct application of their knowledge, as well as experimentation with different sounds made by drums and other instruments. Hands-on learning encourages exploration, trial and error, and use of the senses, all things which stimulate growth and development.

Personal gratification. Nothing is more satisfying than learning a new skill and using it to complete a concrete project. Percussion camps will teach your child the basics of their chosen instrument, and then offer a structured way to achieve an end-product or goal. Examples from camp include the successful completion of a new song or an end-of-camp concert or awards. This offers kids a chance to show off their new skill and enjoy some recognition for it.

Learn from talented professionals. Percussion camp is taught by instructors highly skilled in drums and other instruments. Your child will learn through demonstration and have a musical leader to emulate. Many instructors are also active in their community’s local art scene. Through supporting them, you support the arts and get more involved in your community.

Experiment with improvisation. Kids will learn how to play a percussion instrument through musical notes and careful instruction. However, as their skill increases and their musical ear develops, they’ll add their own creative flair through improvisation. Experimenting with this will develop imagination and confidence, and engage them in self-directed learning—skills that can be applied to relationships, now, as well as applied to school work and their future work lives.

Build up courage and resilience. Percussion camps allow your child to try something new in a safe and supportive environment. Camps provide the opportunity for the child to perform in front of a crowd at the end of camp, if they so choose, requiring them to find the courage to do so, in the supportive, encouragement camp setting. They also learn the value of “try and try again,” to learn and develop skills in a place that’s focused on making it fun. 

What will your child learn in percussion camp?

How to read music. Beginning with basic notes and beats and working up to more complex techniques, kids in percussion camps learn how to read and understand sheet music. It’s a skill that’s very buildable. Plenty of sheet music caters to your child’s skill level and their music genre of interest.

Music theory. Music theory helps us understand how music is constructed and how musicians put various sounds and tones together to create the beautiful thing we call music. Kids learn the fundamentals of music theory at percussion camp, including rhythm, melody, and harmony, as well as learning to keep a steady beat, and increasing their fine motor skills. They also become familiar with the more advanced aspects of music theory, including scales, chords, keys and notation. Understanding the basic concepts of music theory will help your child progress on their instrument of choice and take things to the next level.

Performance techniques. Many percussion camps have a formal performance at the end of camp. Alternatively, your child can simply perform for you in your living room. Either way, camp helps your child’s inner showperson blossom! Whether your child is a natural performer or prefers to be behind the scenes, gaining experience with performing will boost their confidence and help them gain presentation skills that can be applied in the classroom and future careers.

Music history. Music-making is a universal human trait, tracing back thousands of years and uniting people across all ages, cultures, languages, and geographic boundaries. Percussion camp always offers music history education, a fascinating topic for study and discussion. Kids learn part of human history and develop critical thinking skills that not only spark their natural curiosity but can be applied to other areas of study as well.

Collaboration. Many percussion camps operate in “rock band” format, allowing your child the opportunity to participate in an ensemble. This experience will teach your child band etiquette, as well as how to combine different musical instruments, utilize each band member’s strengths, and work together to achieve timing and harmony. You may end up raising the next Taylor Swift!

Discipline. Learning to play and becoming skilled at a new instrument requires practice! Your child will quickly learn the value in hard work and consistency, as more practice will have a clear and noticeable impact on their progress.

Other camps you might like:

Ourkids.net lists over 200 activities offered by camps, with pages across our site that offer great detail and discrete listings based on each type of camp. Here are pages and lists of other camps you may be interested in:

Music camp can generalize in its approach, including all forms of musical expression, but you can also use OurKids.net to find camps focused on things that may be of interest to the young percussionist, such as jamming for kids, or musical recording. 

Arts camp offers another way for artistic-oriented kids and teens to express themselves. You can use our site to find camps specialized in a variety of specific pursuits including everything from comedy to make-up artistry to Youtube vlogging and more. 

Dance camp offers another way for music lovers to express themselves. On that page and elsewhere on our site, you’ll find hip-hop dance camps  alongside many other options. 

Performing arts camp is also ideal for those who love to be on stage — or have an interest in working through stage fright. For example, Musical theatre camp could be right up your alley, if you love exploring musical performance in all its many forms. 

Consult more information and advice from OurKids.net: 

Learn more about percussion for kids, from around the web

What is the best age to learn how to play drums? Schoolofrock.com

More about the benefits of drum lessons. Chinookschoolofmusic.com