Find 2021 Summer Camp info. here.
If you have an arty kid, keep their creative juices flowing by enrolling them in a summer art camp. There are visual arts camps, dance and theater camps, and music camps offered throughout the Des Moines metro. If your child is ready to dive into a summer of artistic expression, read on to find the perfect summer camp. If you need more ideas, check out our Summer Camp Guide for dozens more great camps.
Note: This is a working list, so check back often for new listings. If you know of a summer camp or class that you would like to have included to this guide, please email the listing information to nicole@dsm4kids.com or leave a comment below.
dsm4kids does NOT host any summer camps. Please contact the specific venue or organization hosting the camp for additional information and to register.
Summer Arts Camps in Des Moines:
Multiple Discipline Art Camps in Des Moines
Des Moines Social Club
The Des Moines Social Club has tons of art related camps that it offers to creatives of all ages. Camps include Cirque de Social Club, Build a Band, Young Artists Studio, Cooking for Kids, Intro to Theater, and more. The Des Moines Social Club is passionate about creating accessible arts and culture opportunities for all members of the Des Moines community. Scholarships are available.
Pied Piper Studios
Keep little minds and bodies busy this summer at Pied Piper Studios. They offer art, music, drama and yoga classes for kids ages three to ten years old. They have several summer camps planned, as well as some of their traditional class offerings. Summer registration is already open on their website.
Art Camps in Des Moines
Ankeny Art Center
Summer vacation is just around the corner and the Ankeny Art Center has several creative art camps for your child. Plan an awesome summer and introduce your child to the exciting world of art. Classes are taught by experienced and certified teachers that are equipped to accommodate all levels of skill and interests. Classes are designed to challenge students of varying artistic abilities ages 5-15.
Des Moines Art Center
The Des Moines Art Center offers a number of camps and classes throughout the summer for kids ages two to eighteen. They also offer family workshops. The Art Center’s classes are a great way to introduce kids to art techniques, art media and all the Art Center has to offer in a fun way. Registration is required for all classes.
Kids Create
Kids in Kindergarten through 6th grade can enroll in Kids Create’s Summer Exploratory Art Camp. Camps are scheduled for June and August. Campers will explore the mediums of clay, tempera, watercolor, and graphite. They will take inspiration from famous artists, learn interesting new techniques, and create awesome artworks. Students will also enjoy great music, snacks, and games. Send your child for a fun-filled week of exploring their creative potential!
Culinary Arts Camps in Des Moines
Happiness in the Kitchen with Holly
Happiness in the Kitchen with Holly is excited to offer three cooking camps again this summer! Camps will be held June 10-13 at Des Moines Christian Schools for kids in 2nd through 6th grade. Campers will learn a variety of cooking skills and will get to experience new foods in a fun hands on atmosphere.
Real Food 4 Kids
Real Food 4 Kids’ classes and camps are 100% hands-on cooking with a maximum of 6-8 children per class. Campers will make several recipes and enjoy their meal together at the end of class. Class discussion will cover where the ingredients come from and how they work together to create the food we eat. Classes are offered throughout the summer.
Dance Camps in Des Moines
Ankeny Dance & Performing Arts Academy
Young or old, boy or girl, Ankeny Dance & Performing Art Academy has a summer camp for everyone! They offer summer theme camps as well as technique classes for students looking to take their skills to the next level. All levels of dance and performance are offered.
Inspiring Dance
Located in Grimes, this dance studio offers a few different summer camp and dance lesson options. Fun themed camps are offered to kids ages 3 to 11. Kids looking to improve their dance skills can also enroll in their summer dance lessons.
Drama Camps in Des Moines
Ankeny Community Theater
Ankeny Community Theater offers summer camp to boys and girls entering Kindergarten through 12th grades. Drama camps introduce theater terminology and skills while encouraging teamwork and self-expression for all ability levels. Participants attending a performance camp will have an opportunity to participate in a live performance on the last day of camp.
Class Act Productions
Youth and young adults entering grades 1–12 are invited to Think BIG during three weeks of Summer CAmP at Class Act Productions (CAP Theatre) in Altoona! Students will explore creative writing, acting, and technical theatre with activities, projects and design during the month of July. Registration is $130 for each camper with discounts available for siblings. Morning camps run from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and afternoon camps are 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Curtain Call Kids
Curtain Call Kids provides a fun, safe, disciplined, supportive environment to encourage the imagination and give kids a strong foundation in acting. By building their acting skills kids obtain self-confidence, increase focus, develop cooperative skills, and most of all they learn about themselves while having fun in a creative way! Watch their website and Facebook page for upcoming summer camp information.
Des Moines Performing Arts
Des Moines Performing Arts provides high quality summer theater camps for young artists between the ages of 6 and 19. Each camp opportunity is designed to allow young people to explore their talents and build confidence while working with theater professionals. Summer camps are offered in June through August. 2019 registration is now open.
Des Moines Playhouse
Summer camp and classes at the Des Moines Playhouse are for kids aged four to eighteen+. Summer classes at the Playhouse are a great way for your little thespian to explore the world of theater. 2019 registration is now open.
Music Camps in Des Moines
Central Iowa Music Lab
Be honest. Who among us hasn’t dreamed of playing or belting out hardcore rock songs to a sold-out crowd? Set your mini rocker on the path to stardom with summer music lessons at Central Iowa Music Lab. They offer lessons year-round to all ages and levels, kids can also participate in Rock Band group lessons. CIML also typically offers summer day camp opportunities.
Des Moines Symphony
The Symphony Academy’s Summer Camps and Workshops are geared to providing a challenging, yet nurturing music learning environment for young musicians at various levels of their musical development. Musicians will gather to make music, improve musicianship and listening skills and work with professional musicians; all while creating lasting friendships.
Heartland Youth Choir
Heartland Youth Choir provides a performance-based program for youth, emphasizing musical literacy and character development. They are offering SummerSongs and SummerTunes Camp. Activities will include choir rehearsal, musicianship training, folk games and movement activities. 2018 registration is open, visit their website or contact them for additional information.
Rising Stars Youth Show Choir
Rising Stars Youth Show Choir is a wonderful experience for any young performer. Singers in grades K-8 participate in this choir where they always have the opportunity to sing solos, dance, act and strut their stuff. Students in grades K-8, of any experience, can enroll in their one-week summer camp that takes place each August.
Additional Places to Find Arts-Based Camps in Des Moines
Local High Schools, Community Education Departments and Parks & Recreation Departments all offer arts related camps, clinics and classes throughout the summer.
Got a favorite arts- based summer camp for kids in Des Moines? Share it with us in the comments!
