Build Confidence Through Performing Arts—In Just One Week
A fun, supportive summer camp where kids sing, act, dance, and create—ending in a full group performance.
A Performing Arts Summer Camp in Oakland for Kids 8–12
Mr. D's Approach to Camp
A supportive, full-participation performing arts camp where every child builds confidence and performs—no experience needed.
Every Child Participates
Every child is included, supported, and performs on stage—no experience needed.
Confidence Over Perfection
Kids are encouraged to try, take risks, and grow—without pressure to be perfect.
A Unique Performance Every Week
Each week builds toward a collaborative show where every child contributes.
Fresh Content Each Week
Original scripts, handselected playlist, unique choreography and large-scale art projects change with the weekly theme
The Camp Experience
The Rhythm of the Week
Each week of camp includes singing, acting, dancing, and art in a structured, low-pressure environment. Days are structured but flexible, giving kids time to learn, move, create, connect with their group, and make new friends.
Creative Exploration Across the Arts
Kids spend each week actively engaging across all four art forms, building skills through singing, acting, dancing, and art as their work begins to connect. Bold, large-scale art and design projects become part of the final production and enhance what campers experience on stage. As we guide them through each project, they begin to discover just how big and bold they can be—often going beyond what they thought they could do.
Group Creativity and Connection
Each camp week is designed to support both creative collaboration and meaningful connection. Campers spend most of their time learning and creating with peers their age, while shared moments throughout the day help build a strong sense of community across the camp. Teaching artists guide the group dynamic so kids feel supported, inspired, and confident exploring their creativity together.
Building Toward the Performance
Throughout the week, campers bring their creativity to the stage while continuing to build the elements of the Friday performance. Group dress rehearsals in singing, acting, and dancing help campers build confidence in their abilities and feel supported, with the focus on trying their best and having fun—not being perfect on stage. During the performance, each child has meaningful moments across different art forms. By the end of the show, campers experience a strong sense of accomplishment as they receive the audience’s final applause.
What makes our camp different
Always Fun, Nothing Like School
Our camp encourages kids to try new things, take creative risks, and build skills in a way that feels exciting and engaging. While we work toward a shared performance, we focus on fun first—helping kids let go of the pressure to get everything “right.”
Designed for All Experience Levels
No prior performing arts experience is required. Whether it’s a child’s first time on stage or they’ve done it before, every camper is supported and included throughout the week. As kids build friendships and work together, differences in skill level fade, and the focus stays on having a great time.
Original Work, Created for Each Camp
Each camp features original plays, custom choreography, thoughtfully designed art projects, and carefully selected songs created for the week’s theme. While the structure supports pacing and flow, the creative content is fresh each week (and every summer), allowing each group to bring the work to life in their own way.
Confidence Over Perfection
Our focus is on building confidence while having fun and taking artistic risks. We don’t aim for perfection or polished performances—mistakes will happen, and that’s part of the process. What matters most is kids getting on stage, trying something new, and doing their best in a live performance after just five days.
A Program Where Every Child Is Seen
We intentionally design our program to ensure every child feels seen, heard, and connected. This happens across the entire day—during art, on stage, at lunch and snack, in games, at arrival, and at goodbye. At Mr. D’s Music Club, kids feel cared for, safe to try new things, and supported by staff and teaching artists.
Explore our 2026 camp weeks
Each week offers a new theme and a complete experience—join one or multiple weeks.
Other Registration Info
Installment payment plans are available during registration.
Multi-Week & Sibling Savings
Many campers join us for multiple weeks to build friendships, grow in confidence, and fully experience the creative process. Save $40 per additional week—applies automatically when enrolling multiple weeks or siblings.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is confidential and offered on a sliding scale of 10%, 25%, or 50% to assist the varying needs of families.
Waitlists
We encourage families to join the waitlist—plans often shift in April and May as summer schedules are finalized, and spots do reopen.
Leadership-in-Training (LIT) Program
The Leaders-in-Training (LIT) Program at Mr. D’s Music Club is for older campers (13 & 14 year olds) who are ready to grow into leadership, contribute to the camp community, and support younger campers — while staying fully connected to the creativity, play, and sense of belonging that define our camp.
Common Questions
Does my child need prior performing arts experience?
Absolutely not! Our camps are intentionally designed to be welcoming and accessible for kids who are curious about the performing arts, even if they haven’t tried them before. At the same time, kids with prior experience won’t be bored — there are plenty of opportunities to take artistic risks, build on existing skills, and learn something new.
What if my child does not enjoy one of the art forms?
That's completely okay. We don't expect kids to love every art form — in fact, it's unusual for kids ot love all four. Most hesitancy or statements of dislike come from something being new or from a child feeling unsure or "not good at it," and that is very normal. With gentle encouragement and support, we help kids keep trying, stretch a little beyond their comfort zone, and stay engaged as they work toward their shared group project: the performance. Over the course of the week, many initial dislikes shift into appreciation — and sometimes even a new favorite. Mr. D’s Music Club is a full-participation camp, and we support kids along the way as they build confidence and find their comfort level.
What is the Friday Performance like?
The Friday performance for friends and family is a joyful celebration of the week and a chance for every camper to shine on stage. All campers participate in singing, acting, and dance. While we aim to deliver our best performance, the focus is not on perfection — mistakes are part of the learning process, and working through them is where confidence is built. Our greatest success is seeing kids perform with confidence, creativity, and genuine joy.
How are the groups formed at camp?
Campers are grouped by age (which may vary slightly from week to week) and remain in two groups throughout the day for logistical purposes. Acting and dance activities are tailored by age so scripts and choreography feel engaging and accessible. Singing and art activities are shared across ages, with art projects allowing each child to bring their own style, interpretation, and creative flair. All campers come together for snack breaks and lunch.
Will my child have fun attending without friends?
100% yes! There's just something about Mr. D's Music Club that helps kids make new friendships quickly. We attribute this partly to the camp's collaborative nature and to how we pace the camp so kids jump right in, set aside hesitancies, and make connections and share laughter in no time. By lunchtime on Monday, we see new friendships blossoming, and by pickup, real friendships forming. Staff also keep an eye on interactions and help guide the more shy kids to discover connections and shared interests amongst their peers.
Is this a traditional performing arts program?
Nope! Mr. D’s Music Club is intentionally non-traditional in its approach to the performing arts. While kids are actively singing, acting, dancing, and creating throughout the week, the focus is on creative expression, collaboration, and confidence — not memorization, technical precision, or a polished performance. Camp is designed to feel engaging, playful, and creative rather than instructional or school-like. Kids are encouraged to try, explore, and take creative risks in a supportive environment, while still working toward a shared group performance
Families Love us!
Mr. D and his team are simply wonderful and attentive, have a strong highlight on an overall positive and supportive atmosphere, and the art, music, acting, and dancing activities were very thoughtfully picked with the core of fun (rather than perfection) in mind.
We thought, "It's just five days. What can they do?" We were all amazed to see the kids moving around the stage, quietly and confidently, and showing such results in dancing, singing, and acting.
We definitely recommend Mr. D's to all parents. Even the shy kids were happy and transformed.
My kids' favorite camp every summer!! They look forward to it every year, and so do we as parents. The Mr. D's team runs a fantastic program that is well-rounded, supportive, creative, and FUN! We love watching the end-of-week program, and the kids have an absolute blast prepping and putting on their show. Really a great program that I couldn't be happier with.
Patricia
Oakland Parent
Pancrazio
Berkeley Parent
Kate
Alameda Parent
Camp Details and
What’s Included in EAch Week
Camp Details
Each camp week runs Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–3:30 pm
Extended care available from Monay - Thursday 3:30 - 4:30 pm
Ages: 8–12
Location:
Holy Names High School
4660 Harbord Drive, Oakland, CA 94618
End-of-week performance for friends and family. Friday's at 3:45 pm.
What's Included in Each Week
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Daily instruction and fun in singing, acting, dance, and creative art
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All materials included, from original scripts and choreography to art supplies
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Supportive, experienced teaching artists guiding the week
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A collaborative end-of-week performance each Friday
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Outdoor lunches and snack breaks
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Friday pizza lunch and end-of-performance treats
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A fun, inclusive environment focused on confidence and creativity—not perfection
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34 hours of camp that includes four arts, endless creativity, time for making friends, and tons of fun!
2026 Camp Dates and Themes
Camps run Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–3:30 pm.
Extended care available.
We take creative license with our camp themes, so they’re never quite what you might expect. Our teaching artists bring their own interpretation and creativity to each week, resulting in an experience that feels unexpected, unique, and thoughtfully designed—one that delights both campers and parents.
Off to the Movies
June 1 - 5, 2026
We love the annual tradition of kicking off our summer camp season with "Off to the Movies!" There's nothing better than watching a great movie with a fantastic soundtrack. And that same experience applies to Mr. D's Music Club! How much better does it get than seeing your kids sing, dance, act, and create art inspired by the movies? We may not have THE red carpet, but our version is pretty great!
Choose Your Own Adventure
June 8 - 12, 2026
Join the waitlist
Adventure awaits at every turn! This week, campers will journey through new worlds, make exciting choices, follow twisting storylines, and uncover what makes them brave and bold. Each day, they’ll discover that even the biggest mountains can be climbed—with teamwork, creativity, and a whole lot of fun along the way. Through singing, dancing, acting, and art, kids will take creative risks, try new ideas, and see just how far their imaginations can take them.
Americana Folk
June 15 - 19, 2026
This week explores the rich world of folk-inspired music across generations—from classic storytelling traditions to the modern artists shaping today’s sound. Campers will work with an eclectic playlist that blends vintage influences with contemporary folk, indie, and pop artists kids may already know and love. Through music, movement, and creative collaboration, we’ll celebrate the many cultures and styles that have shaped folk music, discovering just how diverse, surprising, and fun this genre can be.
Camp is held on Juneteenth (Friday, June 19, 2026).
The Elements
June 22 - 26, 2026
Get ready for a week bursting with movement, imagination, and creative energy! Campers will bring Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water to life through bold acting choices, expressive dance, vibrant art, and big storytelling moments. Throughout the week, we’ll explore how each element inspires different moods, characters, and creative ideas—building scenes, movement pieces, and visual art along the way. With dramatic contrasts, swirling motion, and just the right amount of playful chaos, it’s a dynamic week that keeps everyone on their toes in the most fun, spirited way.
Gone Campin'
July 20 - 24, 2026
Pack your (imaginary) bags—we’re heading out on a camping adventure! Kids will explore nature-inspired stories, songs, art, and movement as they journey through mountains, forests, rivers, beaches, and everything in between. Inspired by the fun of camping outdoors—hiking trails, gathering around campfires, exploring nature, and sharing adventures with friends and family—campers collaborate to create a performance full of discovery, creativity, and big outdoorsy fun.
Decades: The 2010s
July 27 - 31, 2026
Get ready for a bright, bubbly throwback! This week celebrates the fun, quirky trends of the 2010s—slime, fidget spinners, polaroids, pineapples, woodland animals, and all things bright and bold. Through upbeat movement, imaginative acting, creative art projects, and tons of energy, campers will capture the joyful spirit of the decade many of them were born in. With bold performances and big creative choices, kids will hit the stage with confidence as we celebrate a decade that wasn’t all that long ago. It’s a playful finale to our summer—full of color, nostalgia, and laughter.
Limited Spots Remaining
