Performing Arts Summer Camp For Kids
An interactive performing arts program focused on creativity, confidence, and fun for kids of all backgrounds and abilities
A Creative Summer Camp in Oakland for Kids 8–12
Mr. D's Approach to Camp
Singing, Acting, Dancing, Art, Fun & Friends
Summer camp at Mr. D’s Music Club is a fun, interactive performing arts program where kids sing, act, dance, create art, and—most importantly—build something together. Camp is designed for kids who enjoy being creative, trying new things, and working as part of a group in a supportive, joyful environment. There is no requirement for kids to have prior experience in the performing arts—just a natural curiosity and willingness to try.
Every Child Participates
Our busy, fast-paced, and engaging camp makes for memorable days as kids try new artistic endeavors, make new friends, and have tons of laughs. Through encouragement, structure, and repeated opportunities to try, kids grow more comfortable taking creative risks, supporting one another, and finding pride in what they’re creating together. Every child is included, supported, and participates in all the art forms. The focus is on having fun and trying our best. Every camper has meaningful experiences on stage through singing, acting, dancing, and seeing the stage transformed with their fabulous art on display.
Music Kids Can Connect With
Mr. D started Mr. D's Music Club 14 years ago with a singing-focused program, so music and singing have always been at the foundation of our program. Our musical approach centers around pop music across the decades because it’s familiar, expressive, and emotionally accessible to kids. We start with a wide range of songs and, together with the kids, explore what resonates. Along the way, we gently introduce music from various genres—pop, classical, electronic, jazz, and more—to spark curiosity and open the door to a broader musical world—no music or singing background required.
No Two Days are Alike
Each day, campers rotate through singing, acting, dancing, and art. The days feel varied and exciting because the kids keep learning new elements of the performance and participate in different activities in the art forms. The weekly schedule, activities, and creative focus shift according to the theme and group dynamics, and each week of camp in the summer has its own unique elements shaped by the weekly theme. Kids experience progression and growth as they dive deeper into the arts, building skills, confidence, and connection along the way.
Designed With Purpose
While the structure helps us support the kids and keep groups engaged, each art form is intentionally designed to contribute to the final performance. Whether kids are learning songs, rehearsing scenes, creating artwork, or dancing together, they are always working toward a shared goal: creating a collaborative performance that reflects their collective effort, creativity, and growth. We focus on doing our best, supporting one another, and celebrating progress. We do not stress about being perfect.
A Unique Performance Every Week
Every camp culminates in a performance that reflects what kids have uniquely created together. Our teaching artists create original plays, choreography, and performance elements tailored to the week’s theme and the group of kids. Songs are intentionally selected and explored with each group, often leading to surprising and meaningful combinations that shape the final performance. The program is thoughtfully designed and guided by experienced teaching artists so kids feel supported, successful, and proud of what they create together.
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.
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. Although we are working towards a shared experience with the performance, we are always focusing on having fun first to remove the overwhelm and inclination to do 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 this before, every camper is actively supported and included throughout the week. As the kids build friendships and work together, skill levels and abilities become less important, and the priority is simply 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 our performance format stays consistent to support pacing and flow, the creative content is fresh every week (and every summer!), allowing each group to bring the work to life in their own way. This approach keeps each week feeling vibrant and new while ensuring the experience is well-paced, intentional, and thoughtfully designed.
Confidence Over Perfection
Our focus is on building confidence while having fun and taking artistic risks. We do not aim for perfection or polished performances. We will all make mistakes, miss a cue, forget a line (although kids do not need to memorize anything), clap off beat, and that's absolutely OK. What's most important is the kids getting on stage in front of an audience and trying their best at pulling off a live performance in only 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 in the art forms, on the stage and off, at lunch and snack breaks, playing games, morning arrival, and afternoon goodbyes. At Mr. D's Music Club, kids feel cared for, safe to try new things, and always supported by the staff and teaching artists.
Financial assistance is available. We offer tiered options (10%, 25%, and 50%) to help support a range of family needs.
The Camp Experience
The Rhythm of the Week
Each week of camp includes singing, acting, dancing, and art in a fun, 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. Camp encourages kids to try new things, discover what they enjoy, and build skills across the arts without pressure to be perfect. Along the way, their creative work begins to connect as everything builds toward the Friday performance.
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 and week help build a sense of community across the whole camp. Teaching artists guide the group dynamic so kids feel supported, inspired, and confident exploring their creativity together.
Building Toward the Performance
As the week unfolds, campers bring their creativity to the stage as they continue working on the various elements of the Friday performance. Through group dress rehearsals in singing, acting, and dancing, campers build confidence in their creative abilities and feel reassured knowing the goal is to try their best and have fun, not to be perfect on stage. During the performance, each child has meaningful moments across different art forms. As the show concludes, campers experience a powerful sense of success and accomplishment as they receive the audience’s final applause.
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 (includes snack)
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!
Register for 2026 Summer Camps!
Installment payment plans are available during registration.
Multi-Week Savings
Many campers join us for multiple weeks to build friendships, grow in confidence, and fully experience the creative process.
Enroll in 2 or more weeks at the same time and save $40 off each additional week beyond the first.
These savings apply to both siblings and individual campers enrolling in multiple weeks. The multi-week adjustment is applied automatically at registration when all selected weeks are added to your cart.
Financial Assistance is available. We offer tiered options (10%, 25%, and 50%) to help support a range of family needs.
For security purposes, you’ll be asked to log in or create an account before making your selection.
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 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
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.
More detailed theme descriptions are available during registration—feel free to explore them when you’re ready.
Off to the Movies
June 1 - 5, 2026
Our most-loved theme, repeated each year to set the stage for the summer. Campers sing, dance, act, and create while drawing inspiration from unforgettable movie music and storytelling.
Choose Your Own Adventure
June 8 - 12, 2026
Campers journey through new worlds, make bold choices, follow twisting storylines, and discover creativity, teamwork, and confidence along the way.
Americana Folk
June 15 - 19, 2026
More familiar than it sounds! This theme draws from folk-inspired music across generations—from classic storytelling songs to modern artists kids already recognize. A creative blend of vintage and contemporary sounds that will surprise and delight families.
We do have camp on Juneteenth (Friday, June 19, 2026).
The Elements
June 22 - 26, 2026
Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water come to life this week! Campers dive into a week fueled by imagination, movement, sound, and bold creative choices inspired by the elements.
Gone Campin'
July 20 - 24, 2026
Kids explore nature-inspired stories, songs, movement, and art as they journey through mountains, forests, rivers, beaches, and beyond.
Decades: The 2010s
July 27 - 31, 2026
Through upbeat movement, imaginative acting, and creative art projects, campers celebrate the playful energy and trends of a not-too-distant decade.
