There are four main options for arts programs:

* A traditional camp with exceptional arts
* A nontraditional creative camp that emphasizes arts (rather than land and water sports)
* An arts program in a school-based setting (boarding school or college campus)
* A single-focused arts program in an artist’s colony or in a teen camp environment.

These programs can offer a mix of drama, art, and music, or focus singly on one medium. The offerings range from puppetry, vocal instruction, dance, visual arts and creative arts to film making, culinary arts, circus arts, hip-hop dance, cartooning, fashion design, photography and more. There are programs on the East and West Coast, with considerably different flavors. There are many arts programs in New York and Pennsylvania and some right here in the Midwest. The programs vary from one to eight weeks

When deciding upon an arts program, there are many considerations. First, you must consider the age of the child. Younger children (ages 7 – 10) seem to do better in a general camp. A full day of arts instruction may be too intense, even at the programs that offer a mix of music, theater and crafts. For most young children, there should be something to break up the day, such as sports and games.

Older kids (usually around 11) may have honed their skill or craft and are looking for something more focused. While some programs try to cater to all age groups, other programs are tailored to middle-school-aged kids and provide nighttime entertainment appropriate only for that age. And for high school students, you can even combine your child’s fine arts passion with an academic enrichment program, including SAT prep or college visits.

The philosophy/culture of the programs and their directors can differ dramatically from one to the next. Some programs can be very competitive, hold auditions and attract the child who is “Broadway bound” or may already have an agent. Other more relaxed programs appeal to the less-intense child and emphasize only skill development and fun. These different philosophies can have a dramatic effect on your child’s summer. You should feel free to ask the director if they can provide you with a written statement reflecting their program philosophy.

Finally, the well-informed parent should strongly consider the credentials of the specialized camp’s staff. It is one thing to send a kid to a general camp and have her take tennis as one of many activities and have that instructor not be fabulous. But if you’re sending your child to a focused arts camp, the instructors need to be of high quality. Some programs rely on college students as their bunk counselors and specialty instructors. Other camps hire graduate students and professional artisans.

Jenny Wolkowitz is the St. Louis consultant for Tips on Trips and Camps. Now the mother of three children, in her earlier years she was a day camper, an overnight camper, a counselor, a teen tour participant and a teen tour leader. She studied abroad in college and has traveled extensively throughout the world.
For free consultations on camps, please call Jenny Wolkowitz at (314) 432-8642 or e-mail her at jenny@tipsontripsandcamps.com