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Songwriting camps near you

Songwriting camps are becoming an increasingly popular summer option. Below, we list songwriting camps offered in several different cities and regions in Canada. Find a camp near you. 

Other ways to work on your songwriting

For those interested in songwriting, there are alternatives to summer camp. Songwriting programs are offered in the winter, fall, and spring. This includes after-school and weekend classes, some of which take place throughout the year. Use OurKids.net to find the right option for you.

You might also consider

Songwriting is one among a rapidly growing list of art camps. Some other camps your child might be interested in include the following:

Performing arts camps teach a variety of stage skills including singing and acting as well as technical and background skills such as lighting, sound, and more.

Music camps range from rock camp to classical music training, but you can also experience everything from salsa and merengue to guitar jams and many other styles 

Musical theatre camps offer instruction in acting, singing, and dancing, as well as teach a variety of stage skills.

Acting and drama camps enable your child to unleash their creativity through movement, improvisation (improv), vocal training, and dance.

Songwriting skills

Songwriting camps enable kids to get musical training with a specific focus on songwriting. Your child will be taught by trained instructors with plenty of experience in music education. They’ll help your child acquire the skills needed to be a songwriter, whether it’s for a future career in the music industry or it’s just for fun.

Here are some essentials skills and knowledge your child will likely acquire at a songwriting camp:

• Reading music
• Understanding musical theory
• Using good notation software
• Lyrics
• Melody
• Choruses, hooks, and riffs
• Rythm
• Rhyme
• Tonality
• Scales 
• Compositions
• Song forms
• Musical genres

And here are some suggestions to improve your songwriting (source: gensanartists), which may be emphasized and practiced in camp:

• Make time to write
• Find a place to write
• Write for short periods daily
• Don’t try to make first drafts perfect
• Organize unfinished ideas
• Work with other songwriters
• Attend workshops and learn new materials
• Show people what you have done
• Have a consistent work schedule

Benefits of songwriting camps

Songwriting camps help kids acquire pivotal knowledge and skills. They can also motivate and inspire your child, and shape their creative development.

Beyond these, there are numerous other potential perks of writing and journalism camps. They include:

• Inspiring a love of music and song
• Learning from other songwriters
• Having fun while learning
• Making friends and connections
• Opening up learning and job opportunities

Finding the right songwriting camp for your child

To find the right songwriting camp for your child, check out the Our Kids Camp and Program Expo, held every year in the winter. At the expo, you can meet with the staff of many different camps, including songwriting camps, and get your questions answered. You can also meet with programs that run throughout the year. 

For further guidance on choosing the right camp for your child, check out the following Our Kids resources: How to choose a camp, Annual camp and program guide, and How camps develop character traits.
 

Finally, to learn more about songwriting, we recommend consulting the following resources:
Music City: Tips for Beginning Songwriters
Music Goat: Five Songwriting Techniques
Songwriters Association of Canada