Theatre Summer Camp for Ages 5–9 in Arlington, VA — It's Elementary
A full week of story drama, character creation, movement, and theatre games — built for rising 1st through 4th graders, with a unique theme every session and a Final Share performance for families at the end.
10 weeks of summer. One Final Share performance per session for families to attend.
It's Elementary runs all summer long at both Encore locations, with a fresh creative world for campers to explore each week. No two sessions are the same — the theme changes, the story changes, and the characters change. A camper who attends multiple sessions across the summer is never covering the same ground twice.
North Arlington location: Cherrydale United Methodist Church, 3601 36th St. N., Arlington, VA 22207 South Arlington/Alexandria location: Fairlington Presbyterian Church, 3846 King St., Alexandria, VA 22302
How Campers Spend Their Day
Each session is built around a themed world — time travel, medieval adventures, futuristic cities, mythological realms — and campers spend the week inhabiting that world through theatre. Daily activities include story drama, character creation, movement exercises, theatre games, and crafts tied to the session theme. Every activity serves the production that takes shape over the course of the week.
By Friday, campers have built something together. The Final Share is a performance for families — not a polished production, but a genuine, joyful showing of what the group created. For many kids, it is their first time performing for an audience. For returning campers, it is the moment they have been building toward all week.
How the Camp Works for Different Ages Within the 5–9 Group
Not all rising 1st graders are in the same place as rising 4th graders, and It's Elementary accounts for that!
Campers ages 6 and up work with scripted drama — reading and performing scenes, building characters through text, and developing the fundamentals of working with a script. This gives more experienced or academically ready students a real creative challenge rather than a repeat of material they have already encountered.
Campers age 5 engage with the same themes and stories through movement, games, and character-based play — a developmentally appropriate path to the same creative outcomes. The week is structured so both groups are working at their level while building toward the same Final Share.
Parents enrolling a 5-year-old for the first time can expect an active, play-based experience with a clear creative arc. Parents enrolling a rising 4th grader can expect scripted work, ensemble collaboration, and a more structured performance process.
August 10-14, 2026: Fairytales: What Really Happened
LAST DAY TO REGISTER: TUESDAY, AUGUST 4
And they lived happily ever after! But what happened first? Follow us through a series of favorite fairytale stories including Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and more! Camp concludes with a Final Share for family on the last day of camp.
Time: 10:00am–4:00pm
Location: Encore @ Cherrydale United Methodist Church (3701 Lorcom Lane, Arlington VA 22207)
Camp Tuition: $495
August 10-14, 2026: K-Pop Demon Hunters
Welcome to the dazzling world of K-Pop Demon Hunters, where rhythm meets courage and every camper becomes both a star and a hero. Inspired by the vibrant energy of K-pop and the thrill of fantasy adventures, this camp invites children to train like idols, perform like superstars, and band together to protect their world from shadowy forces. Camp concludes with a Final Share for family on the last day of camp.
Time: 10:00am–4:00pm
Location: Encore @ Cherrydale United Methodist Church (3701 Lorcom Lane, Arlington VA 22207)
Camp Tuition: $495
August 17-21, 2026: Spy Kids
Welcome to a world of intrigue. Every day, you will receive an envelope and choose to accept the assignment. You may have to decode messages, solve a puzzle, complete an obstacle, or possibly go on a short mission. This camp calls for strong teamwork, problem-solving skills, and creativity. No previous spying experience required. Camp concludes with a Final Share for family on the last day of camp.
Time: 10:00am–4:00pm
Location: Encore @ Cherrydale United Methodist Church (3701 Lorcom Ln Arlington VA 22207)
Camp Tuition: $495
This session is sold out. Email info@encorestage.org to be added to the waitlist.
August 24-28, 2026: Time Travelers
LAST DAY TO REGISTER: TUESDAY, AUGUST 18
Ready to blast into the past and fast-forward to the future? Young actors hop into our imaginary time machine to explore stories across the ages! From dino days to medieval quests to futuristic adventures, campers create characters, act out scenes, and build wild worlds through drama and creativity. With time-bending games, story-warping fun, and acting skills that never go out of style, this camp is the perfect place for kids to make every moment a starring moment! Camp concludes with a Final Share for family on the last day of camp.
Time: 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: Encore @ Cherrydale United Methodist Church (3701 Lorcom Ln Arlington VA 22207)
Camp Tuition: $495
What Families Ask About It's Elementary
What is available for theatre summer camp for a 6-year-old in Arlington, VA?
It's Elementary is designed for rising 1st through 4th graders, making it the right fit for most 6-year-olds. Campers ages 6 and up work with scripted drama alongside movement, games, and character work. No prior theatre experience is required. Sessions run all summer across both Encore locations — check the schedule above for dates and availability.
Is theatre camp appropriate for a rising 2nd grader with no experience?
Yes. It's Elementary is built for first-timers and experienced campers alike. The themed format and play-based structure make it welcoming for kids who have never set foot on a stage, and the scripted drama component gives more experienced students something to stretch into. Every camper participates in the Final Share performance at the end of the week.
What themes do It's Elementary sessions cover?
Each of the 10 summer sessions features a unique theme — past examples include time travel adventures, medieval worlds, futuristic settings, and mythological stories. Specific themes for the current summer are listed in the session schedule above. Families who want to choose a session based on theme can use the schedule to find the week that matches their child's interests.
What is the Final Share at the end of camp?
The Final Share is a closing performance on the last day of each session, open to families. Campers perform the story and scenes they built over the course of the week. It is not a polished production — it is a genuine showing of what the group created together, and for many kids it is their first experience performing for an audience.
Are drama camps for ages 9–12 available after this program?
Yes. Campers who complete It's Elementary and are ready for a more advanced challenge move into Scenes for Tweens, Encore's summer camp for rising 4th through 7th graders. The two programs are designed as a progression — It's Elementary builds the foundation that Scenes for Tweens builds on.
Encore Stage & Studio has offered summer theatre camp in Arlington for over 15 years. It's Elementary is where most Encore campers begin — and where many of them come back, session after session, because the theme is always new and the teaching artists always make it worth returning for. Scholarships are available. Spots fill quickly across all 10 summer sessions.