If you’re wondering how the kids are going to occupy themselves this summer with many day camps cancelled because of COVID-19, never fear: Virtual arts camps will keep them busy with a variety of fun, online, interactive activities. And no need for supervision!
One benefit of online classes and camps: kids have the opportunity to try programs from around the world. Just be sure to check that you’ve done the Canadian dollar conversion before signing up!
Act One Theatre Camp
Kids spend every day at this online camp acting, singing, and dancing. Culminating in a final performance, campers each work up to perform in a song, dance, and acting scene.
Ages: 6–15
Cost: From US$650/3 weeks
Hours: Daily noon–5 pm
Art Camp 504
Visual and performing art skills will be taught in live online classes at Virtual Art Camp 504: improv comedy, creative writing, D&D, character drawing, and much more. Small classes of 4 to 6 kids will allow your children to received individualized instruction and meet others from around the world.
Ages: 5–14
Cost: US$115/week
Hours: 1 hr/day (times vary)
Arts Express
Draw, paint, sing, dance and act in this virtual camp. Two live instructors will engage your child, helping them to build self-confidence and creativity as well as learning teamwork through collaborative learning.
Ages: 4–12
Cost: $60/day–$225/week
Hours: 2–3 hrs/day
Avenue Road Arts School
This Toronto-based art school that has been providing art instruction to kids since 1993. This summer, it is offering one-week (5-day) online “intensives” in painting/mixed media, drama, drawing, musical theatre, collage, architecture and design, and more.
Ages: Grades 1–12
Cost: $120–$140/week
Hours: 1–1.5 hrs/day
Banana Factory
Kids can meet fellow campers in virtual “cabins” as they go on virtual field trips, draw cityscapes, create musical instruments and explore different artistic methods concentrating on specific countries and their culture and crafts at Virtual Summer Art Camp.
Ages: 6–18
Cost: US$115/week
Hours: Daily 9 am–3 pm
Bravo Academy for the Performing Arts
Nine different summer camps are being offered virtually by Bravo Academy, with a focus on music creation, acting production, dance skills, Broadway Bootcamp, and more.
Ages: 7–19
Cost: $50–$250/week
Hours: 1–2 hrs/day
Canadian Contemporary School of Art
The CCSA is hosting half-day and full-day Virtual Art Summer Camp under the categories of drawing, painting, cartooning, fashion, architecture, and animation. This summer’s theme is Around the World, with a different country featured each week.
Ages: 6–17
Cost: $60–$80/4 sessions
Hours: 75 min–2 hours/day
Centauri Arts Camp
A wide array of arts programming is offered at Virtual Centauri Arts Camp, including fine arts, digital art, acting, photography, creative writing, and leadership classes. Instructors offer challenges and feedback and campers can share their art and meet other like-minded kids.
Ages: 8–18
Cost: $200/25 hours
Hours: varies by program
Great Big Theatre Company
Kids collaborate in online drama games, improvisations, and scenes while creating art projects, taking part in dance parties, and enjoying lots of music at Virtual Online Theatre Camp. Coaches lead movement games, storytelling and playwriting with their energetic campers.
Ages: 6–14
Cost: $85/week
Hours: 75 min/day
The Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera offers hands-on activities, learning prompts, and chances to watch opera at its Global Opera Camp. Campers can learn from writers, artists, musicians, puppeteers, clowns, and bakers in this fun, fantastic, and free (!) summer camp.
Ages: 8–18
Cost: Free
Hours: Daily 11 am–2 pm (with some variation)
PortPrep
Pre-teens and young adults can learn some amazing skills and build an effective portfolio with PortPrep’s animation and illustration online camps. Professionals lead students in figure drawing, storyboard creation, character design, and all the pre-production elements of an animation film.
Ages: 12–26
Cost: $750/week OR $1995/2 weeks
Hours: TBD
Stand UP for Student Well Being
At the SUSWB Kids’ Comedy Camp, trained comedian camp counsellors lead groups of four “joke buddies” in the art of comedy, online. Kids write and perform personal funny stories, learn improv, develop teamwork and tools for dealing with anxiety, and showcase a performance at the end of the week.
Ages: 11–14
Cost: $100/week
Hours: 1 hr/day
Stagecoach Theatre Arts
Themed camps (Frozen, fantasy, etc.) focus on vocal music, dance, and acting and are available for kids of all ages, leading towards an online show and special video keepsake for all participants.
Ages: 4–15
Cost: $65–$125/week
Hours: 45 min–2 hrs/day
Tracy’s Art Studio
This Ottawa-based children’s art studio is offering flexible online art camps that consist of pre-recorded video lessons so kids can watch (and rewatch) as they choose. Each themed week includes sketching, canvas art, sculpture, and other mediums. Opt for a package with or without supplies included.
Ages: 5–13
Cost: $99–$155
Hours: Flexible
