Summer Camps
“All the world’s a stage”, and it’s yours to take!
Every summer, kids and teens get together 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.
This year, we’re so excited to return to the very special place that is Sen̓áḵw/Vanier Park. All 2022 Summer Camps will take place there in our Festival tents!
If you have any questions about Summer Camps for kids and teens, please email Katie Johnstone.
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.
- Create or login to your patron account.
- Enter or update the payment info in your account.
- Choose your camp(s) from the schedule and sign-up! Don’t be confused by the language- once in your cart, you will ask you to “choose your seats”. This is automatic language that simply means select a spot in the camp!
- Complete your Registration Package.
- Review our Health & Safety Protocols.
Schedule & Sign-Up
After choosing and paying for your camp, please be sure to complete the Registration Form right away. Your registration is incomplete until this form has been submitted.
Camps for Teens (13-18 years old)
| CAMP | DATES | TIME | COST* | REGISTER |
| As You Like It | Mon – Fri, July 4-15 | 9:30am – 12:30pm | $420 | REGISTER |
| Henry V | Mon – Fri, July 4-15 | 1pm – 4pm | $420 | WAITING LIST |
| Romeo & Juliet | Mon – Fri, Aug 15-26 | 9:30am – 12:30pm | $420 | REGISTER |
| Twelfth Night | Mon – Fri, Aug 15-26 | 1pm – 4pm | $420 | WAITING LIST |
| A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Mon – Fri, Aug 29-Sept 2 | 9:30am – 3:30pm | $420 | WAITING LIST |
Camps for Kids (8-13 years old)
| CAMP | DATES | TIME | COST* | REGISTER |
| Hamlet | Mon – Fri, July 4-8 | 9:30am – 3:30pm | $420 | REGISTER |
| A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Mon – Fri, July 11-15 | 9:30am – 3:30pm | $420 | WAITING LIST |
| A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Mon – Fri, Aug 15-19 | 9:30am – 3:30pm | $420 | WAITING LIST |
| Macbeth | Mon – Fri, Aug 22-26 | 9:30am – 3:30pm | $420 | REGISTER |
| Twelfth Night | Mon – Fri, Aug 29-Sept 2 | 9:30am – 3:30pm | $420 | WAITING LIST |
NEW! Camps for Young Kids (6-7 years old)
| CAMP | DATES | TIME | COST | REGISTER |
| Little Players | July 18, 20, and 22 | 10am – 11:30am | $70 | REGISTER |
Covid Safety
Keeping our participants, staff, and community safe is Bard Education’s top priority. Please read through the full COVID-19 Safety Plan for education programs.
FAQs
What kind of experience will participants have?
This summer, each camp focuses on a 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 comfortable 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.
What does my registration include?
In addition to participation in a summer camp, every participant receives two complimentary tickets to see A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the BMO Mainstage. They will also receive a free colourful Bard Education t-shirt!
Will participants get a chance to see a Festival production?
Yes, as above, every participant receives two complimentary tickets to see the production on our BMO Mainstage. These complimentary tickets are pre-scheduled so that participants can attend the show on the same day as the others in their 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, click here to put your name on our waitlist.
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 2022 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 without notifying us, we cannot provide a refund. Exceptions are made for cancellation due to illness, for which we’ll provide a full refund. For COVID–related concerns, please find more detailed policies here.
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 alters the experience of those that do show up. If you notify us that you’re releasing your spot at least two weeks before the session begins (see below for dates), you will not be charged. All registration fees from late cancellations will be directed to the Education Bursary, which supports free and subsidized programming for our community.
Do participants need to present official proof of vaccination to join?
Please find the full COVID-19 Safety Plan for Bard Education programs here.