“All the world’s a stage”, and in the summer the kids take over! Bard on the Beach is an iconic theatrical summertime experience in Vancouver. Did you know that the very performers who trod the floorboards of the Sen̓áḵw/Vanier Park tents are the inspiring actors who lead the Bard Summer Camps? That’s right, Bard Summer Camps are coached by professional actors who are eager to share their experience and expertise with kids. Bard Summer Camps are a great place to meet new friends, be your true self, and explore your creativity with supportive mentorship.
For 2025, there are NEW age groupings: 6-10 years old and 10-14 years old. In addition, campers can still register for the 8-13 year old group and the 13-18 year old group.
Whether your child is new to theatre or has a different favourite Shakespeare play each day, Bard Summer Camps offer a warm and welcoming access point to the world of live theatre. During the camp, the group works together to explore the featured play and make creative decisions on how they’d like to present it. The instructors emphasize building the ensemble, expressing creativity through play and collaboration, and exploring various performance techniques that the professional actors use themselves when rehearsing for performances. Your child will have the chance to bring the language of Shakespeare to life by exploring their imagination, posing their questions, and utilizing their voice. Bard summer camps have small class sizes so students can be guaranteed personalized coaching and direction.
On the final day of the camp, friends and family are invited into the Festival tent to watch the live performance of the work the group has created on the Bard stage. Additionally, every summer camp participant receives a complimentary ticket for themselves and a guest to attend a BMO Mainstage production. Camp spaces are selling fast for 2025; sign up here to secure your spot!
For 2025, the camps cover a wide selection of Shakespeare’s most well-known plays. Junior Camps (ages 6-10, 8-13 and 10-14) will focus on using Shakespeare’s original language to rehearse excerpts from selected plays. “Shakespeare Short” scripts help young thespians build collaboration and ensemble as they learn about the world of Shakespeare. Teen Camps (ages 13-18) will focus on learning Shakespeare’s original language as part of an abridged script where they collectively decide how to make an iconic script their own through themes and character choices. All Junior and Teen Camps run from 9:30am-3:30pm.
Summer Camp offerings include:
Junior Camps [Ages 8-13]:
Macbeth | July 14-18
The Tempest | July 21-25
The Comedy of Errors | August 18-22
Julius Caesar | August 25-29
Junior Camps [Ages 6-10]:
Romeo & Juliet | July 28-August 1
A Midsummer Night’s Dream | August 11-15
Junior Camps [Ages 10-14]:
Twelfth Night | July 28-August 1
Hamlet | August 11-15
Teen Camps [Ages 13-18]:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream | July 2-11 (8 days!)
The Comedy of Errors | July 21-25
Twelfth Night | August 18-22
Hamlet | August 25-29
Registration is open now and spaces are filling up fast! Past students return year after year for these exciting and dynamic camps. See what one youth participant had to say:
At Bard, I discovered friendship, and most importantly, a sense of family. Bard helped me learn to be myself, to be courageous, and to embrace who I truly am. –Youth Participant
Bard Summer Camps:
Dates: July 2 – August 29, 2025
Times: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Location: Festival Tents at Sen̓áḵw / Vanier Park
Address: 1695 Whyte Avenue, Vanier Park, Vancouver
Website: bardonthebeach.org
Get ready for summer vacation with our full Summer Camp Guide here!
