LOS ANGELES SUMMER CAMPS BLOG

One of the things that bums us out the most is seeing budget cut after budget cut among so many important school programs. One of the subjects that seems to get slashed all the time is music. When we were in school, music was one of everyone's favorite classes.  These days it's barely offered anymore. 

Thankfully there's many summer camp opportunities in L.A. to fill the void. Here's a list of some of our favorite L.A. Music Summer Camps for kids who are interested in this kind of experience this summer. If you're aware of any L.A. music camps we inadvertently left off the list, please feel free to add them in the comments section.

3. Silverlake Conservatory Music Summer Camp. Located in the heart of L.A. in Hollywood, this program accommodates camp participants of all ages and music skill levels. Voice and songwriting workshops, recitals, and music education for kids are just part of this incredible program. They even offer scholarships for those who qualify.  Hint: Sometimes  you can get a real good feel about a camp's quality just by viewing its website.  If this program's website is any indication, its music summer program is top-notch!

4. Join the Band Summer Music Camp.  Now here's a fun-looking camp! This program offers a wide variety of introductory music programs and even a "try an instrument" camp so they can see what appeals to them most.  Campers have an opportunity to work together in teams and private music lessons are also available.  This camp serves music-loving campers starting as young as 6 years old though 12 and even teens. Rock band camps, signing, and songwriting are part of the fun.

5. Pacific Blue Music Camp. One thing we DON'T like about this program is it only lasts one week! What we LOVE about this camp is they seem to know exactly what they're doing, who they are and who they serve. Their program is geared specifically for middle school kids of all musical talent and experience levels. The camp is based in Santa Monica so it's central and easy to access from everywhere in greater L.A.  Campers study the fundamentals and dynamics of music in a fun environment. 

You know that saying, "there's an app for that?" 

It basically refers to the notion that whatever your interest in a certain subject or activity -- or you need help accomplishing a certain task, you're trying to find something, and so on -- you can simply download an app onto your phone, computer or tablet to help you achieve it.

There's an app for everything, and guess what? The same can be said about camps: "There's a camp for that" fits the bill exactly! 

​What do we mean by, "there's a camp for that?"

L.A. area families looking for a specialty summer camp program for their kids this summer can find the ideal program at L.A. Camp Fair 2018.

L.A. Camp Fair is a free, three-day summer camp expo event taking place on three convenient dates and locations in and around Los Angeles on March  14, April 14 and April 22.

Over 60 camps and programs will be on display. You'll have the opportunity to meet all the camp representatives and learn about their programs. It's a lot easier finding the perfect camp when they're all together in one place compared to contacting all of the individually for information.

• The March 11 Camp Fair takes place at UCLA
• The April 14 Camp Fair takes place at Conejo Creek North Park in Thousand Oaks
• The April 22 Camp Fair takes place at A.C. Stelle Middle School in Calabasas

You might choose to attend just one, two or all three camp fairs, whatever's most convenient for you.  But in order to learn about all the camp opportunities without missing anything, coming to all three camp fairs might be  your best choice since some of the camps are only exhibiting at one or two events.

Grab your free tickets to one, two, or all three camp fairs here. 

​If you're looking a performing arts summer camp for your child, Idyllwild Arts is worth your consideration. At Idyllwild Arts, summer is serious fun! Since 1950, the Idyllwild Arts Summer Program has offered intensive workshops in dance, film, music, songwriting, theatre, visual arts and writing to students of all ages and abilities, including Family Week. Located in the beautiful mountains of Southern California. Art Workshops are available for Kids and Teens (ages 5-18), Adults, and Families.  Learn more about their program and many others at L.A. Camp Fair 2018, greater L.A.'s best summer camp expo. 

If you went to camp when you were a kid, you probably have specific memories of the program you attended, what it looked like, the friends you made, the counselors you had, and the activities you enjoyed while  you were there. 

If someone were to ask you today what summer camp means to you, your definition would probably be shaped by the camp experience (or experiences) you had as a child.

Well, guess what?  We've been curious lately about other people's thoughts and opinions as to what summer camp means to them, so today we decided to do something about it. We hit the streets (it was rainy today here in L.A.!) and flagged down a few strangers just to ask how they'd describe a typical summer camp setting.

Guess what? The vast majority said when they think of camp, they picture rustic, ranch-type properties with lakes, mess-halls, cabins, canoes, horseback riding, s'mores,  and songs around the campfire.

That's pretty classic image of a traditional summer camp program, don't you think?

But there's just one thing we hope you'll remember.

Even though "traditional" camps are fun, fun, fun, there's untold numbers of other kinds camps, and they all provide meaningful experiences for kids.  In other words, you don't have to send your child to a "traditional" camp in order for them to have the best summer of their lives!

Here's what I mean.

What if your son really loves music? Why not send him to a music summer camp?

If your daughter loves cooking, a cooking summer camp might be just up her ally.

Or maybe you have another child who loves gymnastics. She'd probably be happy as a calm at a gymnastics camp program.

The main point to keep in mind is that there are many kinds of summer programs here in L.A. beyond just the traditional summer programs you might envision. All you need to do is look around, ask your friends, or do an online search for whatever kind of program your child might be interested in and you will quickly find one that meets your needs.