Best Dance Camps Near Boston

These summer dance camps in and around Boston offer instructions in different styles and techniques, but dance is the central focus. While there might be some supplemental activities, or changes of pace for the younger campers, dance remains the star of the show.

1. Boston Ballet School - Boston & Newton

This classical ballet company provides summer programs for children interested in attending classes at the school. With studios in the Back Bay and Newton, the Boston Ballet School provides multiple locations for summer dance camps near Boston. Their programs welcome beginners aged 5 to 9 in Newton (7 to 9 in Boston) for children who take the school's ballet classes this fall. The Boston Ballet School's Summer ballet is open to registered students of the Ballet aged 9 to 18. The school's prestigious Summer Dance Program requires an audition from dancers aged 12 to 18. Afternoon classes for beginners aged 3 to 6 are also available.

 
Holiston is home to one of the best dance camps near Boston. Photo courtesy of the Dancing Arts Center. 

2. Dancing Arts Center - Holiston

Besides offering world-class classical ballet classes, the Dancing Arts Center provides instruction in jazz, tap, modern dance, choreography and improv. Their summer programs offer 2-week intensive half-day dance camps. The students are grouped into age groups: 9-12 (DAC levels 1 and 2) and 12-18 (DAC levels 3 to 5). Auditions are required for the intensive program. 1-week dance camps offer half-day instruction for younger children (4 to 8) with themes like fairy tales and The Nutcracker. No audition is required for the 1-week sessions, though dance experience is encouraged.

3. Mass Motion Dance Academy Summer Dance Camps- Sturbridge, Medfield, and Boston

With three locations in and around the city, Mass Motion Dance Academy provides parents with lots of options for 2022 dance camps near Boston. These week-long camps appeal to teens, tweens, and kids as young as 2. Classes meet the age and ability levels of the campers. The Mini-Kids Camp mixes an hour of dance with free play, movement, and arts & crafts. The Kid's Camp (10am to 3 pm) provides instruction in two different techniques; students learn subjects like dance history, improvisation, and choreography. These classes suit experienced dancers as well as beginners; a half-hour showcase wraps up the week. Mass Motion's Intensive Study Camp allows intermediate and advanced students to take part in a full day of classes in techniques such as ballet, hip-hop, jazz, and more.

4. Urbanity Dance - Boston

The South End's Boston Center for the Arts plays host to Urbanity Dance's 2022 Summer Intensive program. From July 25 to August 12, students receive 7 hours of instruction in ballet and more from nationally acclaimed instructors. Auditions are required; students may attend one, two, or all three weeks of the program.

5. Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre Summer Dance Camp - Cambridge

Harvard Square's Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre provides a 1-month summer intensive summer dance camp for experienced dancers aged 10-19. Other dance forms supplement a full-day of ballet instruction; auditions are required. The school's Summer Elementary Program provides individual afternoon dance classes at different experience levels for boys and girls from 3 to 8+.

 
Summer camp dancers enjoy the best Boston has to offer in 2022. Photo courtesy of Tony Williams Dance Center, Facebook.

6. Tony Williams Dance Center Summer Dance Camp - Jamaica Plain

The Tony Williams Dance Center in JP offers four 1-week dance camp sessions for 5- to 14-year-old kids in the Boston area. The center offers discounts for multiple weeks and additional siblings. While focussed daily on ballet, these fun day camps include other styles and arts in the curriculum. Each week ends with a performance for families.

7. Creative Steps Summer Dance Camp - Newton

Open to kids from 3 to 11, Creative Steps teaches jazz, ballet, hip-hop, and more. A flexible schedule allows for single days, half-days, and full-days. The campers get additional activities like crafts, games, and free play as well.

Performing Arts Camps with Dance Near Boston

These performing arts camps combine dance with music, theater, and other aarts for a creative experience that engages the kids from head to toe.

8. Spotlight Summer Theater Workshop - Weston

The Spotlight Summer Theater Workshop offers a full day of musical theater activities. The program for kids 6 to 17 includes dance, singing and acting. Two 3-week sessions end with a musical production for family and friends. The workshop stages productions of Newsies and The Little Mermaid in 2022.

9. CRS Summer - Dover

The Charles River School hosts 2022 Boston summer day camps focussed on nature & STEM, leadership, entrepreneurship and the creative arts. The performance art camps–for kids 7 to 15–emphasize musical theater, dance, and production. Four 2-week multi-art camps and two 4-week musical theater production sessions provide kids with the opportunity to dance, learn and have fun. The 4-week production camps culminate with an original musical produced and performed by the campers.

 
Boston's best camps combine dance with theater arts. Photo courtesy of Brave Arts Theatre.

10. Brave Arts Theatre Workshop - Weston

With both day and overnight camps and six different 1-week sessions, the Brave Arts Theatre Workshop gives Boston families options for performing arts programs this summer. The workshops showcase musical theater, with song and dance from multiple styles and genres. The state-of-the-art facilities at the Cambridge School of Weston provide Boston summer campers (7 to 18) with the opportunity to dance in stunning rehearsal and performance spaces; the spacious campus allows the kids to enjoy the outdoors as well. Each session ends with a performance by the campers.

 
Summer theater camps offer dance and much more. Photo courtesy of summer.brookschool.org.

11. Brooks School Summer Programs Stages & Studios - North Andover

Nestled on the shores of Lake Cochichiweck, North Andover's Brooks School hosts a traditional summer camp and a leadership program; the Stages & Studios summer camp provides dancers, actors and other performers with theater arts enrichment and experience. The Showstoppers (ages 11 to 13) and Teen Ensemble (ages 14 to 18) programs engage in dance, song, drama, and more.

12. Stoneleigh-Burnham Performing Arts Camp - Greenfield

Greenfield's Stoneleigh-Burnham School offers Greater Boston kids a range of summer camp options, but the Performing Arts Camp appeals to dancers, singers, and actors. Focussed on musical theater, the day and boarding camp programs incorporate dance and expressive movement into their theater arts curriculum. The program lets boys and girls ages 10 to 18 choose between overnight, all-day, and extended-day versions of the 1-week camp. Attendees will perform individually and in ensembles.

13. Island Roots Summer Camp At Tioga Way - Marblehead

For kids entering grades 2 through 5, the Island Roots Summer Camp offers three 1-week performing arts sessions. These camps focus on theater, drama and movement while incorporating team-building fun and games. The camp runs from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm with an option for an extended day dismissing at 5:30 pm.

Best Day Camps With Dance Near Boston

Some good old-fashioned day and sleep-away camps include dance lessons in their activities. If your little movers and shakers need some other summer fun to go with their summer camp dance experience, check out these venues.

14. Camp Sewataro Summer Camp - Sudbury

Dance and movement are just two of the activities at Camp Sewataro, a traditional day camp near Boston. Drama and music allow kids aged 3 to 15 to combine creative and theatrical arts with summer fun like climbing, swimming, and camping.

 
Camp Emerson lets young performers act, sing and dance at summer camp. Photo courtesy of bestsleepawaycamps.com.

15. Camp Emerson Summer Camp - Hinsdale

This overnight summer camp dedicates itself to accommodating food allergies. Camp Emerson also lets kids ages 7 to 15 set their own activities, with dance, music, and theater among the offerings.

Ages 7-15 

16. Camp Kaleidoscope Summer Camp - Newton

Open to all kids, Camp Kaleidoscope creates a nurturing Jewish environment for kids entering K-8 in the fall. Activities include performing arts, musical theater, and (of course) dance.

 
The best Boston camps with dance make lasting summer memories. Photo courtesy of Camp Harbor View.

17. Camp Harbor View Summer Camp - Boston Harbor Islands

With four 2-week day camps on Boston Harbor’s Long Island, Camp Harbor View offers Boston campers a range of activities including dance, music, and performing arts. The camp emphasizes leadership, cooperation and fun, and it's open to Boston kids entering 6 - 9th grade.

18. Nobles Day Camp - Dedham

Nobles Day Camp offers the full slate of traditional activities of a full summer day camp. Kids can study dance along with gymnastics, theater arts, and sports. The camp is open for students entering Pre-K to 9th grade.