Teen Summer Camps Near Me: Why Our LAMDA Intensive Is More Than Just Drama
The summer holidays are a strange and wonderful time for teenagers. School is out, the routine disappears, and suddenly there are six long weeks stretching out in front of them. For some teens, it’s freedom. For others — especially those who thrive on structure — it can be a bit disorienting. And for parents? It’s often a daily juggling act: trying to keep your teen engaged, off their screen (at least sometimes), and doing something meaningful.
That’s why the search for teen summer camps near me becomes so popular around this time of year. But while there are plenty of options out there — from coding to cricket — many teens are looking for something a bit different. Something expressive. Creative. Confidence-building. And let’s face it — something that doesn’t feel like school.
Summer is also a critical time for emotional and social development. The change in pace allows teens to recalibrate, but too much downtime can lead to boredom or anxiety. Structured experiences like summer camps offer balance: freedom to explore new interests, but within a supportive framework. And when those experiences are rooted in creativity? Even better.
According to a study by the National Citizen Service, teens who participate in structured extracurricular activities during the holidays report higher levels of well-being, greater social confidence, and more positive peer relationships. Summer camps that promote collaboration and self-expression are especially effective.
So if you’re on the hunt for teen summer camps near me, it’s worth considering what your teen will truly benefit from — not just academically, but emotionally and socially. That’s where performing arts can really shine.
Enter the world of theatre — and more specifically, our LAMDA Acting Intensive: a five-day workshop designed to help teens explore acting and communication in a friendly, professionally-led space. Whether they’ve performed before or are trying something new, it’s an ideal way to help young people find their voice — literally and figuratively.
Book onto our LAMDA drama intensive week here.
What is LAMDA?
LAMDA stands for the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art — one of the UK’s most prestigious performance exam boards. LAMDA offers graded exams in acting, public speaking, and performance, recognised nationally and internationally. By the time students reach their senior grades, their results can even count toward UCAS points — a handy bonus for teens eyeing university or creative careers.
You can read more about how the LAMDA exams work here: LAMDA Official Website
But beyond the certificates and points, LAMDA training offers something arguably even more valuable: real, transferable life skills.
What Makes Our LAMDA Intensive Different?
Held over five days at Esher Theatre this August, our camp is more than just exam prep. It’s a deep-dive into performance craft, combining monologue coaching, voice work, and drama games with confidence-building exercises designed specifically for teens aged 11–16.
Here’s how the week is structured:
- Pre-camp prep – We send out material in advance so teens can come prepared to get stuck in.
- Small groups – Every participant gets 1:1 coaching across the week.
- Exam-focused and fun – Whether your teen is brand new to LAMDA or progressing to their next level, we tailor their work to suit.
- Optional exam at the end – We support students to take their exam online or in-person at the next available slot in September.
Why Teens Love It (Even the Quiet Ones)
We know not every teen wants to spend summer surrounded by strangers. But what we’ve seen again and again is that theatre spaces — especially smaller, nurturing ones — are ideal for those who don’t typically “shine” in mainstream school environments.
One parent told us: “My daughter isn’t particularly loud or theatrical, but she came home every day from the Pop Stars camp buzzing. She said it was the first time she felt totally herself in a group of peers.”
For more reserved teens, acting classes offer an unusual balance: structure and self-expression. They’re allowed to speak words written by someone else, which means they can explore difficult emotions, new identities, and different perspectives, all within the safe container of a script.
Mini Case Study: From Hesitant to Hooked
Last term, we welcomed a 13-year-old boy who’d never done drama before. His mum explained he’d lost confidence after a tough school year, and she was hoping he’d enjoy himself. By midweek, he’d memorised a full monologue and started asking questions about character motivation. On Friday, he stood on stage — shaking a little, but beaming — and delivered his lines with poise. His feedback? “I want to do another one next term.” He now attends regular acting classes.
What Do Teens Actually Learn?
Besides learning to project and pace their speech, your teen will:
- Develop stronger self-awareness and body language control
- Practise eye contact, listening, and voice modulation
- Gain experience interpreting text and emotional tone
- Build empathy through character work
- Improve public speaking under gentle guidance
They’ll also practise performance resilience: recovering from missed lines, staying calm under pressure, and learning to listen — skills every employer looks for.
Bonus: It Counts Toward Uni
LAMDA’s Level 3 qualifications (Grades 6–8) can contribute UCAS points. This makes our camp ideal for:
- Teens already working toward a university application
- Students looking to build a strong personal statement
- Young people who want achievements that stand out from the crowd
You can view the current UCAS tariff points breakdown here.
How It Compares to Other Teen Summer Camps
STEM camps build analytical thinking. Sports camps develop physical discipline. Language or revision camps can help academically. But theatre-based camps like our LAMDA Intensive nurture emotional intelligence, confidence, and communication. These are the skills that help teens thrive in interviews, relationships, and leadership roles later in life.
LAMDA is particularly unique because it offers both creativity and accreditation, so teens leave with memories and milestones.
Questions Parents Ask
“My child has anxiety — will they be okay?”
Absolutely. We tailor our teaching for each individual, and our camp has a strong reputation for being inclusive, low-pressure, and supportive.
“Do they have to take the exam?”
Not at all. Some students just want the experience. We’ll support them either way.
“Will my teen be bored if they’ve done LAMDA before?”
Nope! We personalise material based on experience. Returning students are given more advanced scripts and coaching challenges.
Other Benefits of Performing Arts for Teens
According to Place2Be, performing arts can help teens:
- Reduce anxiety and boost mental wellbeing
- Build friendships through shared experience
- Develop perseverance through rehearsal and revision
And because our camps run in-person, it’s a chance to get off screens and reconnect with the real world in a meaningful, energising way.
What If My Teen is New to Drama?
That’s absolutely fine. We don’t assume prior experience — in fact, we love working with students who are brand new to it all.
The workshop is structured to support all ability levels, and we make sure that no one is ever put on the spot. Everything is introduced gently — from warm-up games to guided rehearsals.
Our team also knows how to tailor coaching styles to suit neurodiverse students and young people with social anxieties. We’ve had many teens join who struggle in mainstream classrooms and blossom in the more flexible, expressive workshop setting.
The Details
🗓 Dates: 11–15 August
📍 Location: Esher Theatre, Surrey
🎭 Ages: 11–16
📝 Exam: Optional — face-to-face or online at the next exam window (in September)
We limit numbers to keep the experience personal and high-impact. If you’re interested, book early to secure your spot.
Final Scene
Teen summer camps come in all shapes and sizes. But if you’re looking for something that builds confidence, teaches communication, and nurtures creativity — all in one exciting week — our LAMDA Acting Intensive could be the perfect fit.
Whether your teen dreams of drama school or just wants to try something new, they’ll leave with so much more than just a certificate.
Find out more or book your teen’s place today — spaces are limited, and they fill up fast!
