Central Bucks County punches well above its weight when it comes to arts education. Between world-class museums, dedicated theater academies, and multi-week art programs on working farms and orchards, there are genuinely exceptional visual art and theater camp options within easy driving distance of Doylestown. Here’s the full guide for 2026.
Visual Art Camps
James A. Michener Art Museum Summer Camps — Doylestown
The Michener Art Museum in downtown Doylestown runs one of the most prestigious and well-regarded arts camps in the region. Campers work in a real museum environment, learning from professional art educators and regularly visiting the galleries for inspiration. Programming covers painting, drawing, watercolor, stained glass, sculpture, printmaking, and art history.
The camp serves ages 5–16, with younger campers (5–7) in half-day sessions (9 AM–12 PM) and older campers (7–16) in full-day programs (9 AM–3:30 PM). Full scholarships are available — don’t let cost stop you from inquiring. Registration opens mid-January and fills quickly.
Location: 138 South Pine Street, Doylestown, PA 18901 | Phone: 215-340-9800 ext. 115 | michenerartmuseum.org
AOY Art Center – Summer Art Camps at Patterson Farm — Lower Makefield
AOY Arts at Patterson Farm in Lower Makefield is one of the most expansive art camp programs in the region — 70+ camps running June 22 – August 21, 2026. Half-day and full-day options are available, with extended care offered as well. The sheer variety is remarkable: cartooning, clay sculpting, fashion design, stop motion animation, painting, jewelry-making, printmaking, and drawing, spanning beginner through advanced levels.
Kids can enroll for 1 to 9 weeks, and a 10% discount applies for registrations by March 31. This is an ideal program for the kid who “loves art” broadly — they can try something different each week all summer.
ArtsQuest Summer Art Camps — Bethlehem (Short Drive North)
For families willing to make the drive up to Bethlehem, ArtsQuest at the Banana Factory is worth it. Seven weeks of summer programming serve Grades K–12 with half-day and full-day options, early drop-off, and extended hours. Disciplines include drawing, painting, fiber arts, sculpture, mixed media, and printmaking. Scholarships are available (apply by May 31).
Half-day $180 ($162.50 member); Full-day $315 ($284 member). artsquest.org
Bucks County Community College — “Fun with Art” — Newtown
BCCC’s Kids on Campus program includes “Fun with Art” sessions at the Newtown campus running June 15 – August 7, 2026, in four age groups (5–6, 7–9, 10–12, 13–15). Hours run 9 AM–3:30 PM with aftercare to 5:30 PM available. This is one of the most affordable quality art camp options in the county.
Phone: 215-968-8409 | bucks.edu/kidsoncampus
Theater & Musical Theater Camps
Doylestown Theatre Academy
For kids who want to be on stage, Doylestown Theatre Academy is the most focused theatrical training program in Doylestown. Serving ages 7–18 with professional instruction, students work toward full-length musical productions with family performances at the end. The program covers acting, singing, dancing, and stage craft in a genuinely professional learning environment.
Town and Country Players Summer Theater Workshops — Buckingham
Town and Country Players in Buckingham runs three workshops across the summer: Workshop 1 (Grades 3–5, July 14–18), Workshop 2 (Grades 6–10, July 21–25), and a Junior Musical (Grades 7–12, July 28 – Aug 7). Hours are 9 AM–3:30/4 PM; cost is $350/student per workshop. Students learn acting, singing, dancing, and behind-the-scenes craft, finishing with a live performance.
ActorsNET Summer Stars — Bucks County
ActorsNET runs a four-week intensive (August 3–27, 2026) for ages 7–17, culminating in a full production showcase on August 29. Cost is $600 (with $100 deposit; balance due July 30). Sibling and referral discounts of $25 are available, and scholarships are offered. Enrollment begins February 16; early-bird pricing by April 1.
Phone: 215-428-0217 | actorsnetbucks.org
ArtRageous Summer Camp at Bristol Riverside Theatre — FREE
This one deserves special attention: ArtRageous at Bristol Riverside Theatre is fully funded — free for all campers ages 7–17 (must not turn 18 before July 7). Running July 7–31, 2026, the program covers musical theater, hip-hop dance, craft studio, stage combat, leadership, and design, plus complimentary tickets to BRT productions. It’s an extraordinary opportunity at no cost to families.
Phone: 215-428-0217 | brtstage.org
Solebury School — StarCatchers Theater Camp — New Hope
For serious high schoolers, StarCatchers at Solebury School is a residential-style summer theater experience for Grades 8–12, with full musical theater production culminating in performances on July 12 and 13, 2026. The program includes activities, trips, insurance, materials, lunch, snacks, and a T-shirt — a comprehensive package.
Music Theatre Philadelphia — Regional Locations
Music Theatre Philadelphia runs 1- and 2-week sessions for Pre-K through Grade 6. Pre-K (ages 3–5) runs 9 AM–12 PM for $350; the K–6 one-week revue is $575 and the two-week junior musical is $1,035 (10% discount available). Morning care (8–9 AM) is $20/day; aftercare $40/day.
Ravens Run Arts — New Hope
For a camp that blends visual arts, theatre, and dance into one program, Ravens Run Arts in New Hope Borough offers a Visual and Performing Arts Camp for ages 6–15. A great option for the kid who genuinely can’t choose just one art form.
Choosing Between Visual Art and Theater Camp
Is your child shy or outgoing? Theater camp is transformative for shy kids — many parents report huge confidence gains from performing. But it does require some willingness to try. Visual art camps are lower-pressure and work well for kids who prefer a more independent creative experience.
Does your child want a finished product to show for it? Art camps produce tangible work to bring home. Theater camps culminate in a live performance — often a deeply memorable experience for the whole family.
Age matters for theater. Younger kids (under 7) do better with the gentler, play-based approach of programs like Music Theatre Philadelphia Pre-K or Ravens Run. The more production-oriented programs (Town and Country Players, ActorsNET, StarCatchers) are better suited for older kids who can handle longer rehearsal sessions.
More Summer Camp Guides for Central Bucks Families
Explore the full 2026 summer camp series: Full-Season Day Camps, YMCA and River Crossing Camps, Nature and Outdoor Camps, STEM and Coding Camps, Music Camps, and Sports Camps.