How to Find a Hip-Hop Dance Summer Camp

Hip-hop music, also known as rap, became a part of modern culture during the '80s and as become popular over the years. Hip-hop dance, once known as “break dancing,” has evolved into its own unique dance form. Finding a summer camp that caters to this specific art form has become easier over the years.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Budget worksheet
• Camp descriptions or brochures (if available)

1. Determine what type of hip-hop camp to attend. To help you decide, think about whether you want a camp close to home or if it can be anywhere in the U.S., how long you want the camp to last and what kind of budget you have.

2. Visit dance studios and see what kind of summer programs they offer. Some only offer dance classes, but others, like Hop to the Beat Dance Studio in Massachusetts, also offer day camps and summer camps specifically geared towards hip-hop.

3. Research performing arts schools online. Many of these offer some type of dance classes including hip-hop and some also have summer camp programs. The School of Cinema & Performing Arts not only has an intensive summer dance program that focuses primarily on jazz and hip-hop geared towards learning choreography at a professional pace, they also do weekly video shots so students can take home a DVD portfolio.

4. Check hip-hop news sites like ALLHIPHOP News. This site features daily news specifically about hip-hop music and events including an article about a summer camp started by one of the guys from Run-D.M.C.

5. Find a summer camp referral service, such as the National Camp Association’s service. You can get free personalized guidance and referrals to camps worldwide by using their Camp Quest search engine on their site or by contacting them at [phone]. They also offer articles and helpful advice about choosing a summer camp online.

6. Search the American Camp Association site, which offers a camp finder tool with detailed information about each camp.

Tips & Warnings

• You may also be able to find camps in local and national newspapers. Many papers run a list of summer activities either at the beginning of summer or sometimes weekly, if there are a lot of events in the area.
• Read camp descriptions carefully. If you’re looking for a camp that only teaches hip-hop, make sure it’s not an overall dance camp that will only touch on several different dance styles.

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on 3/28/2008 I found a wonderful program through US Performing Arts. My daughter loved their Hip Hop dance program at Pepperdine University last year. Their phone number is 888-497-3553 or visit them online at www.usperformingarts.com