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Find dance camps near you

Dance camps are found in cities across the country. You can filter the list above by city or location, or go to our advanced search and find  many other filters and options. Click on your city below to get a list of dance camps in your area. 

Search all DANCE CAMPS   

Types of dance camps and other kids’ programs for related interests

Many kids’ programs and dance camps focus on specific genres of dance or offer specialized instruction in dance styles. 

Ballet dance programs and kids’ ballet camps are a popular choice for parents. This disciplined specialty instills sophistication and culture in young girls and boys. 

Jazz dance camps or after-school programs give kids a chance to explore this creative, freestyle form of dance. 

Hip hop dance lessons and breakdancing camps teach b-boy moves, acrobatic rolls, jumps and flips you expect from this challenging, thrilling dance form.

Theatre arts camps and musical theatre camps may incorporate training or choreography in stage dancing. These programs will apply the lessons you learn in dance camp, while also giving you a chance to explore the world of the stage.

Music camps offer training and activities that perfectly complement an interest in dance. At ourkids.net, we also list music lessons and other related options.

The benefits of dance camp

Improved cognition. Dance camps go beyond simply teaching dancing. The focused training kids receive instills physical discipline, of course, but also mental discipline. Kids who go to dance class may see improved academic performance and other personal benefits. A growing body of research shows a strong relationship between physical activity and improvements in cognition, memory and mental health. 

Improved confidence. When kids set and achieve goals as they’re prone to, in dance camp, this obviously improves their confidence and self esteem.  

Improved interpersonal skills. A number of camps end with a competitive showcase that allows kids to test themselves against others, while learning sportsmanship, cooperation, encouragement, and other interpersonal qualities and soft skills. 

Decreased tendency to anxiety. Thanks to structured time in dance camp, parents can be sure kids are not on screens. Strong evidence shows that too much screen time results in increased anxiety and depression in children. As well, physical activity of dance has positive psychological benefits for girls and boys attending these programs. 

Exposure to professional examples. A number of camps listed above feature training from professional choreographers and dancers. These people present role models for children, and can help inspire them to develop not only dance skills but personal discipline in other areas of life. 

Disciplined physical activity. Kids in these camps get the essential 60 minutes of daily physical activity prescribed by the World Health Organization. According to  ParticipACTION Canada, more than 60% of kids and teens don’t reach this  recommended daily activity level. 

Explore more benefits: 

• Things you’ll learn in dance camps cross over with the benefits kids and teens get out of sports camp.
• There are many worthwhile reasons to go to any kids’ camp.

How to find the right dance camps for your child

Explore. When you explore the listings above, we recommend that you try out a variety of camps and programs. There are widely varying perspectives trainers have on children, dance discipline and other factors. If you have your own firm ideas about what you want out of a dance camp, it’s worth your while to experiment.

Meet camps face to face. A number of dance camps, especially those in the Greater Toronto Area, present at the Toronto Camp Expo. This is the best forum for parents, allowing you to meet with several camps in one afternoon and learn about a variety of programs. You’ll find camps with many different perspectives, styles and sizes, from a variety of neighbourhoods across the area. It’s your best chance of finding the right camp, in a one-stop shop.

Ask the right questions. Here’s a brief list of questions to ask camps, to best explore what they will offer your child, and how they will help him or her:

• Does your child require any previous dance experience for the program?
• Are the campers grouped by age or dance level ability?
• How do they manage performance anxiety or peer pressure among children?
• What are the camper-to-staff ratios?
• What are the qualifications of the instructors?
• What happens if your child is injured? What precautions are in place?

More answers and advice from OurKids.net:

Further resources and more reading from around the web:

Stagecoach Blog: Benefits of Dance for Young Children

The Stress Reduction Benefits of Play, for Young Children

5 Ways Children Benefit from Dance Class