Summer Camps
“All the world’s a stage”, and it’s yours to take!
Every summer, kids and teens get on the Bard stages and make Shakespeare their own, coached by professional actors! Whether you’re new to Shakespeare or you know the plays by heart, here’s your chance to bring the language to life with YOUR imagination, YOUR big questions, and YOUR voice.
Registration includes a pair of complimentary tickets for a participant and a guest to attend our BMO Mainstage production, As You Like It!
OUR 2023 SUMMER CAMPS REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
We cannot wait to return to Sen̓áḵw/Vanier Park to play Shakespeare once again.
If you have questions about Summer Camps, please email Katie Johnstone, or phone (604-737-0625 ext 2262).
REGISTRATION GUIDE
Follow this checklist to make sure your registration is complete! If a camp appears to be full, please put your name on our waitlist.
1. Create or login to your patron account.
2. Enter or update the payment info in your account.
3. Choose your camp(s) from the schedule and click the “payment” button
4. Complete your Registration Package
2023 Schedule & Sign Up
NEW! LITTLE PLAYERS (5 to 7 year olds)
Children dive into the creative world of theatre in an environment inspired by Shakespeare’s stories, worlds, and characters. Plus, they’ll get to play in BOTH the Bard theatres in Sen̓áḵw/Vanier Park.
| CAMP | DATES | TIME | COST | REGISTER |
| Little Players | Tuesday, July 4 -Friday, July 7 | 9:30-11:30am | $125 | PAYMENT |
THE PLAY’S THE THING…
These camps are named for the specific Shakespeare play you’ll be exploring. Facilitated by a professional Teaching Artist, the group makes creative decisions about how they’d like to present their play. There will be an emphasis on expressing creativity through play and collaboration, building ensemble, and exploring the various performance techniques that professional Teaching Artists incorporate into their own practice.
THE PLAY’S THE THING… FOR KIDS (8 to 13 years)
| CAMP | DATES | TIME | COST | REGISTER |
| A Midsummer Night’s Dream | July 10-14 | 9:30am- 3:30pm | $420 | WAITING LIST |
| Julius Caesar | July 17-21 | 9:30am- 3:30pm | $420 | PAYMENT |
| A Midsummer Night’s Dream | July 24-28 | 9:30am- 3:30pm | $420 | WAITING LIST |
| Henry V | August 14-25 | 9:30am- 12:30pm | $420 | PAYMENT |
| As You Like It | August 28- September 1 | 9:30am- 3:30pm | $420 | WAITING LIST |
THE PLAY’S THE THING… FOR TEENS (13 to 18 years)
| CAMP | DATES | TIME | COST | REGISTER |
| As You Like It | July 10-14 | 9:30am- 3:30pm | $420 | PAYMENT |
| The Winter’s Tale | July 17-28 | 9:30am- 12:30pm | $420 | PAYMENT |
| Much Ado About Nothing | July 17-28 | 1pm- 4pm | $420 | PAYMENT |
| Julius Caesar | August 14-25 | 1pm- 4pm | $420 | PAYMENT |
| Macbeth | August 28-September 1 | 9:30am- 3:30pm | $420 | PAYMENT |
FAQs
What kind of experience will participants have?
If you’re signed up for one of our “The Play’s the Thing” camps, you will be focusing on a specific Shakespeare play. Each group will have no more than 16 participants. Together, the group explores the focus play and makes creative decisions about how they’d like to present it. There will be an emphasis on building ensemble, expressing creativity through play and collaboration, and exploring the various performance techniques that professional Teaching Artists incorporate into their own practice.
What skills do these camps foster?
In addition to becoming confident with Shakespeare’s language, participants develop skills in teamwork and ensemble building, creativity, self-expression, leadership, compassion, storytelling, communication, collaboration, and performance.
Will friends and family get to watch the participants perform their play?
On the final day of the camp (the Friday), friends and family are invited into the Festival tent where the group has rehearsed. The group will share what they’ve created on the Bard stage. Please watch your emails for complete details about the Camp Finale.
What does my registration include?
In addition to participation in a summer camp, every participant receives two complimentary tickets to see As You Like It on the BMO Mainstage. They will also receive a Bard Education t-shirt!
Will participants get a chance to see a Festival production?
Yes, every participant receives two complimentary tickets to see As You Like It on our BMO Mainstage. These complimentary tickets are pre-scheduled so that participants can attend the show on the same day as their friends from camp. If you wish to purchase additional tickets or make adjustments to the complimentary pair, please contact Katie Johnstone.
What if the camp I want to book is full?
If a camp appears to be full, please put your name on our waitlist. We will contact you if a spot becomes available.
What if a camp does not meet minimum enrolment?
Minimum enrolment or insufficient registration is determined based on whether we believe the low number will interfere with the quality of programming for the registered participant(s). If minimum enrolment is not met, the camp will be cancelled. Our team reserves the right to make this decision up to one week prior to the camp start date. We will notify families by phone and email and offer the choice of transferring their child to a different camp in our 2023 schedule or requesting a complete refund.
What is your summer camp Withdrawal Policy?
Please email Katie Johnstone at least 2 weeks before your session begins if you need to release your spot- your registration fee will be refunded, minus a $35 administration fee. If you withdraw after that 2 week deadline, or without notifying us, we cannot provide a refund. However, we are able to facilitate a transfer into a different camp, based on availability.
Exceptions to the above are made for cancellation due to illness, for which we’ll provide a full refund.
Why can’t you refund late cancellations?
A late cancellation or no-show makes it impossible for us to give the reserved spot to another young person on the waiting list and can alter the experience of those that are attending the camp. If you notify us that you’re releasing your spot at least two weeks before the session begins, you will only be charged the administration fee ($35).