Summer Camps: 2024!

Jan. 22, 2024

Our biggest summer camp lineup yet! 

Visual arts camps will be offered by our partners at Artshine! 

All camp offerings are detailed below. Morning camps at 9 a.m. - noon, and afternoon camps are 1 - 4 p.m.

Students may stay for the whole day if signing up for both the morning and afternoon camps. Please bring a lunch, snacks, and water. 

*Note: Refunds will not be provided after June 30, 2024

It is recommended that you use a desktop or laptop rather than mobile site to view. 

July 2-5

*Starred dates are 4-day camps 

July 8-12

July 15-19

July 22-26

July 29-Aug. 2

Aug. 6-9

*Starred dates are 4-day camps 

Aug. 12-16

Aug. 19-23

Camp Descriptions

Ocean Adventures (Accessible Camp)

This camp is designed for kids with neuro-diversities. Extra staff support will be available at all times.  There will be a questionnaire following payment so we can ensure we meet your needs. 

Artshine (Morning): A-hoy matey! Would you like to escape to the ocean? Join Artshine's Ocean Adventures camp! You'll meet pirates, sit under palm trees, and play with lots of ocean creatures. Our wide range of art supplies includes clay building, painting, drawing and many other activities. No sunscreen required for this adventure - get ready for a week of fun!

Music and multi-arts (afternoon): Through active music making, children will learn and experience turn-taking, creative expression, collaboration, and movement to music. Music activities and games will incorporate the Ocean theme, and include familiar and new music, singing, exploring instruments, soundscapes, and song writing. Led by 2 accredited music therapists, Linda Gambell and Irene Yong.

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: July 2-5 (4-day camp)
• Time: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
• Cost: $280
• Capactity: 12 campers
• Ages: 6-11

Flute Boost

See more information here. 

Music Mania

Campers have the opportunity to participate in daily piano activities, music games, singing, and an introduction to beginner music theory! This is a great introduction to the world of piano playing and music theory and a perfect camp for children with limited or no musical experience. At the end of the week, campers will participate in a musical demonstration for families. Led by Nichole Robertson and Kevin Lee. 

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: 
  • July 8-12 (pair with Artshine: Puppies and Ponies for full-day)
  • July 22-26 (pair with Artshine: Monsters, Aliens and Space for full-day)
• Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Cost: $140
• Ages: 4-6

Music and Drama 

The dragon is back in town! Well… not really. That’s the story a ragtag band of innkeepers makes up, desperate to draw questing heroes to the struggling Dancing Dragon Inn. Soon the inn is full of unexpected guests, from an army of princesses out to prove their bravery, to a group of overwhelmed heroes trying to hold onto their fame. But what happens if they all discover the innkeepers’ dragon story is made up? Could there be more than one way to save the day? An epic folk-rock score brings magic to this funny, heartfelt fantasy musical. Led by Rebekah Jordan-Miller and Hayden Kerry. 

• Location: 68 Biehn Drive, Kitchener
• Dates: July 8-12
• Time: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Cost: $280
• Ages: 6-13

Creating Harmony with Nature

Can music be found in the wind rustling the leaves on the trees? Or in the birdcalls that fill our summer sky? Discover nature's beauty through crafts and music, in a tactile indoor/outdoor camp that will change the way your children interact with nature. Includes all materials. Led by Laura Burke.

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: July 15-19
• Time: 9 a.m. - noon (ages 4-6), 1 - 4 p.m. (ages 7-10)
  • Pair with Artshine: Woodland Critters for full-day
• Cost: $140
• Ages: 4-6 or 7-10

Music Explorers

A chance to further explore the world of music through piano lessons, singing in a choir, a composer series, an introduction to other instruments by guest artists, music inspired games, crafts and technology. A perfect camp for children wishing to continue their music education. This summer program is also an opportunity for children who have not participated in music lessons. Led by Nichole Robertson and Kevin Lee.

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: July 22-26
• Time: 9 a.m. - noon (pair with Artshine: Monsters, Aliens and Space for full-day)
• Cost: $140
• Ages: 7-10

Exploring Nature through Art

In this new camp your child will discover and create art through mindful journeys into the outdoors. Using mediums found within nature, participants will be encouraged to use their imagination to design meaningful works of art. Through a holistic focus on the living world, your child will blossom into the beauty of a Canadian summer. Includes all materials. Led by Laura Burke.

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: July 29 - Aug. 2
• Time: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
• Cost: $280
• Ages: 4-6

Summer Sounds Songwriting Camp

Unleash the Musical Maestro in Your Child! Dive into a harmonious summer adventure at our Summer Sounds Camp! Tailored for young enthusiasts aged 7-12, this unique multi-instrumental and songwriting camp is where melodies meet memories. Led by Caitlin Taylor and Laura Burke. Let the Summer Sounds Begin!

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Aug. 6-9
• Time: 9 a.m. - noon
• Cost: $140
• Ages: 7-12

Rock, Blues, and Soul Band Camp!

Led by Dave O'Neill. Calling all instrumentalists and vocalists! The Summer Band Camps are a great opportunity to experience working with other musicians to create music. Together we will learn songs from a variety of music genres such as Blues, Funk, Rock, Jazz, or Latin. You’ll experience the process of what it’s like to work collectively as a band member, building a musical repertoire from the ground up. A final performance will be on the final day of the camp at 2pm.

A basic working knowledge of your instrument is required.

A PA, piano, vibraphone, drum set and hand percussion will be provided. All other instruments will need to be supplied by the student, including amplifiers.

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: 
  • July 29 - Aug 2 
  • Aug. 6 - 9 (4-day camp)
  • Aug. 12 - 16 
  • Aug. 19-23 
• Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Cost: $350 ($280 for 4-day)
• Ages: 11-14

FoundSound Ensemble 

FoundSound ensembles use upcycled and repurposed everyday objects as musical instruments. Found Sound Ensemble is a ‘sound based’ music curriculum for students with or without musical background. This program introduces students to the broader world of music making of which traditional western music making is only a part. Key words here are up-cycled and repurposed instruments, improvisation, listening skills, ensemble training, socializing through music making and fun. Critical thinking is an important part of our method. Led by Bruce Gremo.

Upcycled instruments and repurposed objects are provided for students. They start producing sound immediately.

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Aug. 6-9 (4-day camp)
• Time: 9 a.m. - noon 
• Cost: $160
• Ages: 8-12

Digital Groove Collective 

This is a listening-based musical training focusing on immediate musical production! There is an emphasis on composing, improvising, arranging, orchestration, and ensemble activity; in which your laptop is the instrument!

This is a fun group activity in which students make music together from the start. This is a great program for students interested in video game music, DJ music, and contemporary pop. There will also be performance opportunities. Led by Bruce Gremo.

Laptops are not provided, but all other equipment will be.

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Aug. 6-9 (4-day camp)
• Time: 1 - 4p.m.
• Cost: $160
• Ages: 12+

Multi-Arts Camp!

Music? Dancing? Acting? Painting? We're doin' it all! This fun and dynamic full-day camp will include a little bit of all the arts. Campers will work together to create and perform musical numbers, dances, and drama - while also working on visual arts projects to display in their very own gallery presentation at the culmination of the program. Led by Greer Schatz and Caitlin Taylor. 

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Aug. 12-16
• Time: 9 a.m. 4 p.m.
• Cost: $280
• Ages: 7-12

Musical Theatre: In The Director's Seat!

This half-day camp is an exciting and educational musical theatre experience for young children. Each camper will be involved in producing a musical that tells a hilarious story of teamwork and friendship! The camp includes singing, creating music, simple choreography and lots of fun activities throughout. Led by Greer Schatz and Caitlin Taylor. 

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Aug. 19-23
• Time: 9 a.m. - noon (ages 4-6), 1 - 4 p.m. (ages 7-10)
  • Pair with Artshine's Musical Theatre for full-day
• Cost: $140
• Ages: 4-6 or 7-10

Artshine Camps

Puppies and Ponies

Giddy up, this week we’re going to the farm! Ponies and puppies and chickens, oh my! This week, we’ll learn about our favourite farm friends and how to draw them!

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: July 8-12
• Time: 9 a.m. - noon (pair with Music Mania for full-day)
• Cost: $140
• Ages: 4-6

Woodland Critters

What lives in a toadstool? This week, you’ll find out! Create your own woodland creatures – like bunnies, foxes, and birdies – with markers, pastels, and clay! You’ll also get to design perfect habitats for these cuddly critters!

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: July 15-19
• Time: 9 a.m. - noon (ages 7-10), 1-4 p.m. (ages 4-6)
  • Pair with Creating Harmony with Nature for full-day
• Cost: $140
• Ages: 4-6 and 7-10

Monsters, Aliens, and Space!

Monsters and Space and Aliens, oh my! Join us for a week that will be out of this world! Create your own monsters and aliens with mixed media, and design the world they live in!

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: July 22-26
• Time: 9 a.m. - noon (ages 4-6), 1-4 p.m. (ages  7-10)
  • Pair with Music Mania (4-6) or Music Explorers (7-10) for full-day
• Cost: $140
• Ages: 4-6 and 7-10

Musical Theatre

Join us this week for a collaboration of musical theatre with visual arts! Let’s explore fun projects like colourful theatrical landscapes and characters. Create your own mask for a grand performance that will have everyone saying “Encore”!

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Aug. 19-23
• Time: 9 a.m. - noon (ages 7-10), 1-4 p.m. (ages 4-6)
  • Pair with Musical Theatre for full-day
• Cost: $140
• Ages: 4-6 or 7-10

*Note: Refunds will not be provided after June 30, 2023.