Cole Arts Camp
Ages 5-12 | 9am - 3:15pm
Extended Day 8am to 5:30pm
8 Weeks of Summer Camp Left! 6/15-8/7
Cole Arts Camp is a one-of-a-kind, family-run experience inspiring kids’ imaginations and empowering them to bring original stories to life. Through movement, storytelling, drumming, theater, puppetry, singing, and arts & crafts, campers explore and express themselves in an engaging theater space full of artistic tools and collaborative creativity. Guided by master teachers, campers work together each week to create and perform an original showcase for family and friends, developing confidence and lasting artistic skills in an environment that encourages and expands their innate creativity.
Activities
Camp size up to 50 campers with a 1:12 adult-to-camper ratio. Our experienced, creative counselors are caring and well-versed in both the arts and children’s education.
Camp Community
Funny and adventurous stories from Doug’s decades of experience as a storyteller, drama director, and classroom teacher. Listen to stories from 'The Dougie Wuggie Story Hour' inspired by tales shared live at camp!
Storytelling
Hip hop creative dance, improv games, choreography, and movement training to energizing music from hip hop, electronic, pop, rock, and more with André. Campers explore waving, popping, gliding, freestyle, and dance vocabulary.
Hip Hop Creative Dance
Drum & Dance Circles with instruments for all, including full drum sets, djembes, tambourines, shakers, and more. Mics provided for campers who love to sing, emcee, and perform!
Drumming & Singing
Puppeteering with over 40 puppets, theater games, comedy skits, and improvisation. Campers create characters, invent stories, and direct their own puppet shows!
Puppetry & Drama
Daily stage rehearsals build toward Friday’s final showcase for families and friends. Campers perform group dances, drumming pieces, comedy skits, puppet shows, singing, emceeing, and original acts
Stage Performance
Curriculum
Daily Activities
Campers cycle between drama, puppeteering, storytelling, dance, drums throughout the day divided into older and younger groups. They will hear different stories and learn a variety of dance moves and drum patterns best suited for each age range. All campers are together during show rehearsals, break times and end of day stories.
Storytelling, Puppetry, Drama with Doug
Doug leads campers in creative drama, theater games, puppetry, improv, comedy and storytelling. Each day he tells some of his most popular stories about his childhood, years as a classroom teacher and parent, original stories, as well as his favorite myths, legends and fairy tales from around the world. Campers develop their own original stories, skits and puppet shows individually and in groups. Visit DougsDrama.com to learn more.
Hip Hop Creative Dance & Drumming with André
André guides campers in exploring movement, music, and creative self-expression through Hip Hop dance and percussion. Campers learn foundational dance techniques, rhythmic patterns, and drum circle sequences using percussion instruments provided for all.
Classes balance skill-building with creative exploration. Campers develop choreography together, participate in drum circles, and engage in freestyle activities that build confidence, imagination, and personal expression.
Through movement and rhythm, students learn to tell stories, collaborate with others, and bring their ideas to life through dance and music. Visit AndreCole.com to learn more about his work.
Songs, Arts & Crafts with Niamh & Zezé
Niamh leads campers in sing-a-longs & with Zezé kids engage in arts & crafts projects, draw, paint and craft beautiful art to post up at camp and take home! Every afternoon while campers are rehearsing for the Friday showcase, kids can balance their time designing material for the show including set design, costume accessories, programs and more.
Safety
The safety of the children is our number one priority. Our camp site is secure and pleasant with nature areas, a library room, theater space, stage, playground and grassy field for kids to play. Adult-Child ratio is 1 to 12 with attentive, caring teachers.
Location
Golden Gate Academy - 3800 Mountain Blvd. Oakland 94619
Schedule
9-10:30 Kids split up into a younger and older group each working with Doug in drama/puppets/stories or Andre with dance and drums
10:30-10:50 snack break outside + indoor games and activities
10:50-12 younger and older groups switch activities/teachers
12-1 Lunch on playground below parking area, weather permitting
1-2:50 variety show rehearsal and visual arts projects in groups
2:50-3:15 all campers listen to stories with Doug
Upcoming Camp Dates
Summer 2026: June 1st through August 7th, 2026
Camp Rates
Full Session (summer full only)
5 days one camper $550 / two siblings $990
Single Days
1 day one camper $130 / two siblings $247
Extended care
Individual $12/hr - Two siblings $18/hr - Three siblings $25/hr to be paid during enrollment or on a daily basis if unsure of dates and times needed. Payment upfront preferred.
Multi-Session Discounts
Families automatically receive $50 in added savings per additional week starting at 3-weeks per child enrolled, with up to $425 off across the season. Discounts are automatically applied at checkout.
Siblings Discounts
*Siblings receive a 10% discount off of 2nd child and 15% off of third child automatically when registering siblings together.
Scholarships
Available and limited. Please apply by clicking here
Cancellation/Refund Policy
Refunds are available up to two weeks before the start of your enrolled session. All refunds are subject to a 2.9% processing fee, which is deducted from the total returned.
To avoid this processing fee, families may choose to receive a full credit or transfer sessions instead of a refund. Credits can be applied to any future camp session within one year.
Within two weeks of the enrolled start date, refunds are no longer available. In these cases, a credit will be issued for a future camp session redeemable within one year.
If a camp session is canceled or must be shortened, a prorated refund or credit will be issued for any missed days.