2026 Testimonials
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our free summer camps this past summer! For the second year running, our Summer Camps were rated 4.9/5 Stars from over 160 parent reviews. Check out what the families had to say about our 2026 Camps!
Wilson Middle School
Summer Sights and Sounds
Summer Sights and Sounds at Wilson Middle School is an all-day summer camp where students build their schedules with “Majors” and “Minors” in all sorts of artistic disciplines! Classes we offered this year included: Concert Band, String Orchestra, Mariachi, Jazz Band, Rock Band, Guitar, Ukulele, Drums, Chamber Music, Drawing and Painting, Musical Theatre, and Technical Theatre. We also added a number of new classes, such as Ceramics, Theatre Improv, Dramatic Theatre, Music Writing and Composition, Stretch and Acrobatics, Ballet Folklorico, Tap Dance, and Salsa Dance.
- “Excellent in Music and Visual Art Education for anyone. These students are very lucky to receive such amazing education and fun learning opportunities without fees. The best summer program!!!”
-Gemma N. - “One of the best programs for middle schoolers in San Diego! We couldn’t recommend them enough.”
-Ethan P. - “My sons had an incredible time, both as student and volunteer. Next year my youngest will be old enough and is already talking about it.”
-Simone C. - “We so appreciate this summer opportunity for our daughter. It’s her first year-she loved choosing her classes and enjoyed all of them. The showcase was also a wonderful way for parents to see what they learned. I can’t say how much it means to our family to have had access to the program because it was free. A very big thank you to the donors, organizers, and teachers for making this possible.”
-Maya S.
Challenger Middle School
Band and Orchestra Camp
At Band and Orchestra Camp, teachers from San Diego Youth Symphony provided top-notch individualized instruction to help students level up their instrumentalist skills, learn to play as an ensemble, and explore exciting new music.
- “Amazing program with individual case by case teaching. The final performance showcased all the hard work put into the program. Thank you to all the staff and faculty for providing your expertise. I wish my son could do this every summer.”
-Jayden P. - “My parents were out of words on the day of my performance. They have no words except praises to the music teachers. I am very thankful that I was enrolled here in VAPA!”
-Eliah L.
Mixed Media Art & Piñata Studio
In “Mixed Media Art & Piñata Studio” with instruction from ArtReach SD, students created a different exciting project each week—from lowrider piñatas and Huichol yarn paintings to block printing, cyanotype embroidery, handmade books, altars, and more.
- “I’m so thankful for The VAPA Foundation . My daughter had a blast this summer doing all the fun art projects with the teachers. She had a great time and loved it a lot. Thank you for providing teens with such an amazing opportunity to create and spend time with their friends in such a safe environment.”
-Marine S.
Bell Middle School
Pink Polish Dance Camp
“Pink Polish Dance Sampler” at Bell was made up of a crew of beginning and continuing dancers! Led by instructors from Pink Polish Dance, students created their own hip-hop dance routines, learned the basics of pom and majorette dance, and created strong bonds as a team by hanging out and working together.
- “An excellent program! It was my daughter’s first time participating in this type of program and she truly loved it.”
-Nyelah R., Pink Polish Dance Camp - “Thank you so much for an great dance camp! My daughter had such a fun time, Thank you for providing a safe space for the kids to have fun in the summer. My daughter loved every minute of the summer camp. She made friends and enjoyed her dance teachers! Thank you for making it a special experience.”
-Shurkenda B., Pink Polish Dance Camp
Mariachi Violin, Guitar, Trumpet and Singing
In “Mariachi Violin, Guitar, Trumpet and Singing” with City Heights Music School, continuing music students learned Mariachi songs, chords, bass lines, scales, and vocal exercises as they jammed and learned to play complementary musical parts together! They even got to dress up and perform at the California Association of Latino Superintendents Conference, and for their families at the end of camp recital!
- “Great Mariachi instructors! Thanks for your patience and great work with our mariachi students.”
-Demian B., Mariachi Violin, Guitar, Trumpet and Singing with City Heights Music School
Creative Performing Media Arts (CPMA) Middle School
Musical Theater Workshop
In “Beginning Musical Theater Workshop” with Cygnet Theatre, students tried out dance routines from musicals, acting monologues and scenes inspired by their favorite plays/movies, and learned upbeat, fun songs to perform together as a group.
- “This was a great program that helped my student build his self-confidence. He was very nervous earlier in the summer knowing that he was going to participate in a theatre program with zero experience, and thanked me for encouraging him to participate after the program concluded. He loved the program.”
-Diego C., Beginning Musical Theater Workshop with Cygnet Theatre
Mosaic Lab
In “Advanced Mosaic Lab” with Rainforest Art Project, students learned the art of mosaic by working with stained glass, wood, and paint to create their own personal mosaic projects and collaborate on an ongoing large-scale mosaic that will be installed in the following schoolyear at CPMA Middle.
- “This mosaic class was so much fun. I loved getting to make my own mosaic pieces and learning how to use all the tools. The kaleidoscope was super fun to make. I’m so happy with how my project turned out.”
-Eloise L., Mosaic Lab with Rainforest Art Project
Technical Theater Workshop
With professional instruction from La Jolla Playhouse instructors, students learned the arts of Technical Theatre including prop-making, set design, costume design, and more! In our post-camp surveys, over 80% of students answered that they would be moderately or very interested in pursuing a career in technical theatre following the program. A couple of other standout statements from the surveys: “I learned to not be such a perfectionist,”
“I learned how to make cool things from scratch, and how to stitch!” “We learned about teamwork and collaboration and how to make sound design”
- “This camp was really fun and helpful. The staff and teaching artists are very nice/sweet and do a great job at talking, teaching, and connecting with students. Overall this camp is awesome :3.”
-Iris L., Technical Theatre Workshop with La Jolla Playhouse
Hip Hop & Break Dancing Studio
In Hip Hop Dance Studio, expert break dancers Dyno Rock and Miss Piggy led students through the fundamentals of Breaking Dancing and Hip Hop in this high-energy, beginner-friendly class. Students built skills in rhythm, balance, and control while learning fresh moves and developing their own unique style.