This Top LA Area Music and Arts Camp Still Has Spots Open

Amplify is an award-winning, American Camp Association accredited, music and arts summer camp in Ojai, California with day and sleepaway programs in music, photography, film, theater, dance, and much more.

Tucked away in the beautiful Topa Topa mountains–just an hour and a half outside of LA–Amplify’s totally one-of-a-kind music and arts summer camp attracts deeply creative kids from California and around the world. The empowering program invites girls entering grades 4 through 12 to bust through gender bias, giving them an unmatched opportunity to freely explore their interests and talents, express themselves authentically, and build beautiful friendships that last far beyond the summer.

Within Amplify’s truly nurturing and inclusive environment, not only do kids get to choose a creative focus for each camp session–from rock band to photography. They also create their own customized daily schedules, choosing from incredible ever-changing elective activities like screen printing, surfing, and karaoke. Add in campwide field trips to the beach and nighttime dance parties under the stars, and you’ve got a really unforgettable summer for preteens and teens.

Learn more about why Amplify’s transformative summer program is a perfect pick for creative kids:

The Rock Band Intensive is a popular pick for experienced musicians.

Kids Can Focus on Their Creative Passion

For each two-week session–or for the whole summer, if they choose–Amplify campers spend half the day exploring a pre-picked creative passion, dubbed an “immersive.” Under the guidance of expert staff instruction, kids participate in collaborative and confidence-building activities around that focus. For example, girls in the drum immersive might start the day with a small group drumming lesson and end with band practice. Meanwhile, those in the dance and choreography immersive may begin the morning rehearsing a hip hop number and later spend time piecing together their own original performance. Every session ends with a final showcase for the entire camp community, which is conveniently live streamed for loving friends, families, and fans back home.

Campers can select from the following creative immersive programs:

• Guitar
• Drums
• Vocals
• Bass
• Keys
• Photography
• Music Production
• Film Making
• Musical Theatre
• Hip Hop Dance & Choreography
• Rock Band Intensive
• Journalism
• Skateboarding

Engaging Classes and Experiences

Outside of their immersives, campers spend several hours a day participating in fun small group and camp-wide activities like capture the flag, zine-making, swimming, hiking, music HERstory, and dozens more. They also have the opportunity to take field trips to awesome summer destinations like the beach in Carpinteria, Downtown Ojai, as well as local roller rinks, escape rooms, and skateparks.

Field Day is another camp favorite, where kids get a full day of free choice, selecting from activities like jam sessions, podcasting, music video making, roller skating, and ice cream float making–just to name a few!

Choose between day camp and sleepaway camp options.

Day Camp and Sleepaway Camp Options Available

Amplify is all about flexibility when it comes to scheduling. The camp offers affordable 2-week sessions of both day camp and sleep away camp, with the option to book up to 8 weeks. It’s recommended that campers spend at least 4 weeks on any one immersive to allow plenty of time to explore and solidify new skills, but the 2-week option is available to accommodate kids who may just be testing the waters of summer camp or a sleep away setting.

A Supportive Environment for Girls

Amplify was created to challenge gender stereotypes and give teen and preteen girls a comfortable space to be their true, authentic selves. Empathy, inclusivity, kindness, and teamwork are woven into every element of camp–from thoughtfully-designed activities to hands-on counselors who consistently model and embody these values.

In this family-like atmosphere girls are always raised up, helping them develop a strong sense of identity and self-worth. This warm environment also enables them to form deep connections with peers, building a support network that will carry them through any future challenge.

Read more about the empowering benefits of all-girl spaces here.

The Topa Topa Mountains make for a beautiful backdrop.

Transportation and Shuttles to Amplify

Whether campers are making the quick trip from LA or visiting from another state or overseas, there are a number of transportation options when it comes to getting to Amplify. The Private Amplify Express Bus picks up at Beverly Hills High School, and Amplify’s LAX Shuttle is perfect for anyone catching a flight to camp. Of course, parents are welcome to make the drive, and the camp can help organize carpools as well.

Discounts, Promotions, and Scholarships Available

• Returning families get special discounts for referring new families: $500 off for a sleep away camp referral and $100 off for a day camp referral. Referral credits can be applied limitlessly–to the point of receiving free tuition!
• Families get 10% off tuition when enrolling a sibling.
• To help make Amplify accessible to all kids, partial and full tuition assistance is available to qualifying campers.
• Amplify’s overnight camp pricing includes food, housing, onsite programming, camp events, a camp t-shirt, and more. Add-ons like private lessons and transportation are also available.

Registration and More Information

Got questions about this beloved day and sleepaway camp? Learn more by visiting the Amplify website or contacting the staff anytime at 805-699-5247 or jen@amplifyartsproject.org.

If you’re ready to enroll, review the rates and dates here, then head to the registration portal.

All photos courtesy of Amplify