Summer Programs for Kids: Advantages of Immersive Camps in the Arts

April 10, 2024

As the end of the school year gets closer and closer, a lot of parents have the same question – what does the summer have in store? There are more opportunities than ever for kids to get involved with new hobbies and skills during the summer break, especially at New York Film Academy! In our immersive summer camps, students can choose from a selection of programs in film, media, and the performing arts. 

From hands-on filmmaking camps to acting camps designed to enhance audition techniques to learning how to build your own game, we can’t wait to show you what’s in store at NYFA this summer!

Summer Programs for Kids: Advantages of Immersive Camps in the Arts

NYFA’s summer programs take the traditional camp experience to another level, allowing kids to make new friends while creating and performing in their own films, video games, musicals, and original content. Students can choose from summer camps at our New York, Los Angeles, and Miami campuses, some of the best cities in the world for film, media, and the performing arts. 

The White Lotus’ star Aubrey Plaza attended NYFA’s hands-on summer camps.

There are a lot of advantages to attending our immersive camps, including building skills and experience in:

Media Literacy

From social media to streaming, in today’s digital age, it’s incredibly beneficial for kids to understand how media is created and consumed. NYFA’s filmmaking summer camps provide kids with hands-on experience in filmmaking, content creation, and media production, helping them learn every step of the process as students write, shoot, direct, and edit their films

Our level-one programs allow students to delve into the fundamentals of cinematic storytelling, while our level-two camps, where students further expand their skills with additional filmmaking techniques and the creation of additional short films. In an interview with NJ.com, Director of Youth Admissions John Sagona attributed the success of the kids camps to NYFA’s learn-by-doing approach.

“What I love about these programs is that we teach the kids in the same way we teach our adults — with industry-leading instructors, professional-grade equipment, and real-world experience,” Sagona said.

Summer 2024: Level One, 1-Week Filmmaking, 2-Week Filmmaking. Level Two: 1-Week Filmmaking, 2-Week Filmmaking

Confidence Building

NYFA’s acting for film camps are great for kids who love to perform, fostering self-esteem and confidence on camera. Our hands-on projects and exercises, taught by industry professionals, help students enhance their acting skills and gain practical experience in public speaking and presentation. After students complete our level-one acting camps, they’re eligible to return to continue honing their craft in our level-two courses, which expand on their natural skills and learned techniques. NYFA camp alums have even gone on to star in hit television shows such as Bad Sisters (Eve Hewson) and The White Lotus (Aubrey Plaza). 

Summer 2024: Level One, 1-Week Acting for Film, 2-Week Acting for Film. Level Two: 1-Week Acting for Film, 2-Week Acting for Film

Observation and Attention to Detail

Photography encourages kids to observe their surroundings and pay attention to details they might otherwise overlook. This heightened sense of observation helps develop their visual literacy and appreciation for the beauty and diversity of the world around them. Additionally, in NYFA’s photography camps, kids can develop essential technical skills related to operating cameras, composing shots, and utilizing editing software.

Summer 2024: Level One, 1-Week Photography, 2-Week Photography

Problem-solving and Critical Thinking

From Monsters at Work 2 (Tom Kanter, NYFA storyboard instructor, worked on this season) to Hilda to Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, animation continues to prove itself as a compelling and innovative way to tell stories. In NYFA’s 3D Animation summer camp, kids develop essential problem-solving and critical thinking skills as they learn to animate characters and scenes.

From solving technical challenges to making artistic decisions, animation camps encourage kids to think creatively and analytically.

Summer 2024: Level One, 1-Week 3D Animation, 2-Week 3D Animation

Self-Expression

NYFA’s musical theatre camps at our New York campus allow kids to express themselves artistically and emotionally through storytelling, music, and movement. By exploring different characters and roles under the guidance of professionals with Broadway and Off-Broadway experience, kids learn to tap into their emotions and convey them effectively to an audience. Through rehearsals and performances, kids can gain confidence in their abilities and learn to express themselves creatively on stage.

Summer 2024: Level One, 1-Week Musical Theatre, 3-Week Musical Theatre

Fun and Engagement

NYFA’s game design camps offer a fun and engaging experience for kids passionate about video games and technology. Whether they’re designing characters, crafting levels, or playtesting their creations, students immerse themselves in the world of game development and make lasting memories with peers who share their interests. Throughout the camps, students study art direction, game and sound design, and coding, creating their unique content.

Summer 2024: Level One, 1-Week Game Design, 2-Week Game Design

Explore NYFA’s Summer Programs for Kids

At NYFA, kids can pursue their passion for film, media, and performing arts in a nurturing and inclusive setting. Through dynamic activities, kids aged 10-13 immerse themselves in games, exercises, group projects, and assignments under the guidance of seasoned industry professionals. Ideal for students with a penchant for storytelling and creativity, our programs foster the expansion of their natural talents while providing a framework for acquiring new skills. 

Ready to learn more about our summer programs? Explore our camps today!