Thinking About a Dance Camp? Read This First!

Dance moms, hello! You may be asking yourself, “Is this worth my hard-earned money, or am I just signing up for a glitter apocalypse?” if your daughter has been arabesque-ing her way through your living room and teasing dance camp louder than a tap recital on hardwood. You don’t need to do any pirouettes (unless you’re slipping one in while reading), and I’ve got the inside scoop and a little snark.

For those of you mothers of girls between the ages of 8 and 17 who are hoping for dancing camp success, let’s get started.

The Price Tag: More Than Your Grocery Bill, Less Than a Pony

Dance camps are accompanied by sticker shock — $200 to $1,000+ for a week, depending on if it’s a day job in your neighborhood or an overnight experience complete with bells and leotards. You could pay for a summer of iced coffees or even replace that enigmatic-stained couch cushion for that. But the catch is this: organizations like American Dance Training Camp (ADTC) unveil nationwide options — such as Vermont hills or Texas Hill Country — that package up dance classes, cool add-ons, and an opportunity for your girl to strut her stuff. Would it be worth it? If she’s set on mastering the grand jeté, perhaps. If she only cares about the swag bag, spare your pennies.

The Schedule: Nonstop Moves and Mom’s Me-Time

Imagine this: your daughter’s day begins at ballet, transforms into hip-hop, and cools off into contemporary at day’s end and she’s limping like a newborn colt. ADTC camps cram in four or five classes a day, topped by outings such as kayaking or a Friday-night performance to take center stage. For your child at age 8, it’s a sensory whirl and academic concentration. For your child age 17, it’s the real deal: a skill builder — possibly college audition material, too. Bonus? You get a week of quiet. Unless she comes home choreographing the cat into her next TikTok dance.

The Perks: Beyond the Bedazzled Costume

Dance camp isn’t just about nailing a fouetté (though that’s cool too). It’s a confidence bootcamp. Your shy 10-year-old might sashay out a mini-diva, while your teen could snag lifelong friends and serious dance cred. Camps with a rep — like ADTC, with its 20+ years of empowering girls — focus on building community, not just technique. They’re all about that tight-knit, all-girl vibe where your daughter can ditch the phone, connect, and grow. Plus, she’ll crash into bed exhausted, giving you a break from “Mom, watch this!” on repeat.

The Downsides: Glitter Fallout and Drama Queens

Let’s not sugarcoat it: dance camps have their chaos. Teens might limp home with sore feet and a sob story about a botched routine. Younger ones could miss you (or their iPad) and melt down mid-week. And the stuff? Say goodbye to that $25 water bottle and hello to glitter in your car seats until 2030. The end-of-camp showcase? Pack snacks, a charger, and patience for 50 renditions of “Uptown Funk.” But the pros — like those polished moves and beaming smiles — might just outweigh the cons.

So, Is It Worth It?

Here’s the million-dollar (or $500) question. If your girl lives for dance — whether she’s 8 and twirling to Frozen or 17 with Julliard aspirations — it’s a solid maybe-to-yes. Camps like ADTC bring A-list teachers (think Broadway pros!) and a blend of styles — hip-hop, jazz, contemporary — that trump another summer of scrolling. Not sure? Ask her. Even your 8-year-old might pull out a glitter-dusted pro-and-cons list to seal the deal.

Mom Hacks: Work the System

Still undecided? Scope out scholarships — some camps, including ADTC dance Camps, provide them. Carpool with other moms, hoard granola bars (dancers eat like linebackers), and take a gander at X posts for actual parent opinions. A simple search may turn up rave reviews of how “ADTC transformed my wallflower into a dance-floor queen” — evidence it’s more than a expensive sleepover.

Final Bow

Dance camps are a jump — in some cases, literally. But for the right girl, they’re a goldmine of learning, happiness, and perhaps a dynamite recital photo for the fridge. See her, sweaty and smiling, with new friends and steps to flaunt. Is it worth it? You decide. Just don’t fault me when she insists on a dance studio in the basement.