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Girls Art and Music Camp in California

Ojai, California, USA — a boarding-school campus in the Topa Topa mountains, about 90 minutes from Los Angeles

Ages

9–17

Duration

2 weeks (4-week stays available)

Dates

2 weeks: Jun 27–Jul 10 / Jul 11–24 / Jul 25–Aug 7 · 4 weeks: Jun 27–Jul 24 / Jul 11–Aug 7

Group size

Girls-only camp, grouped by school grade

Camper band performing on an outdoor stage under string lights Camper practising electric guitar in a music room Smiling camper playing a drum kit Camper sewing a garment at a sewing machine in the fashion studio Group of campers rehearsing together on electric guitars

Overview

This is a sleepaway camp built around creativity rather than competition. Each camper picks one creative 'immersive' for her session — Rock Band (from beginner to advanced intensive), songwriting and performance, musical theatre, filmmaking, fashion design, fine arts, band photography and album design, or live sound, lighting and stage tech — and works on it every day with professional artists and instructors. No experience is needed for most programs; the advanced band intensives ask for some.

Around that core sit daily electives, swimming, field day, off-site trips, visits from guest musicians and classic camp traditions. Each 2027 session has its own theme: a 90s DIY session with a camper-run thrift-and-trade market and house show, a 'creative careers' session with a zine festival and magazine residency, and a festival session that ends with a Battle of the Bands and the camp's own music festival. Every session closes with a Final Showcase where campers perform or exhibit what they made.

Campers live with girls of their own grade group, and the camp also welcomes gender-expansive young people who feel at home in a girls' space. Four-week campers experience two different session themes.

What's included

One creative immersive, dailyDaily electivesVisiting guest artistsSwimming & field dayOff-site tripsFinal Showcase performance

A day at camp

  • Morning Breakfast, then the creative immersive — band rehearsal, songwriting, filming, sewing or studio art with the same instructors all session
  • Midday Lunch with your grade group
  • Afternoon Electives chosen from a long list (screen printing, DJing and much more), swimming and free time
  • Evening Dinner, then evening programme — guest-artist shows, dance parties, talent show, campfire

Where campers stay

The camp runs on the campus of a private boarding school in the hills above Ojai. Campers live in the school's dorms in small shared rooms, grouped by grade with counselors living alongside them. The campus has music rehearsal spaces, a light-filled art studio, a stage for the end-of-session showcase, and plenty of outdoor space under the mountains.

Two campers relaxing in a dorm room with bunk bedsBright dorm living room with sofasCovered dorm patio with outdoor seating

Meals

All meals are included and eaten together on campus. The camp's nurse contacts families before camp to talk through allergies, food sensitivities and other needs, so tell us about anything like that when you book.

Excursions

Off-site tripsGuest-artist concertsSession theme event (thrift market, zine fest or music festival)Final Showcase

More photos

Camper playing bass guitar outdoors on campusThree campers looking at photos on a cameraGroup of campers posing on a hillside with mountains behindCampers taking a bow on stage at the Final ShowcaseCampers jumping for a photo at sunsetCampers gathered round a campfire at nightCamper laughing in the swimming poolAerial view of the hilltop campus with the Ojai mountains behind

Frequently asked questions

Does she need to play an instrument already?

No. Most immersives start from zero — plenty of girls arrive having never held a guitar and play in a band by the end of the first week. The intermediate and advanced Rock Band Intensives are the exception and ask for some experience, so tell us what she plays and we'll help pick.

What ages is this for?

The camp groups by US school grade, not age: the 2- and 4-week sessions are for girls entering grades 4 to 12 in autumn 2027, which is roughly ages 9 to 17. We'll match your child's school year to the right US grade. For younger girls there's a separate one-week Juniors camp.

Will she be the only one from abroad?

Most campers come from across the US, but the camp draws girls from other countries every summer, and many arrive not knowing anyone. Everyday English is enough to join in; music and art do a lot of the talking.

How does she get to camp?

Fly into Los Angeles (LAX). The camp runs a pick-up from LAX and a shuttle from West Los Angeles; Ojai is about 90 minutes' drive. We'll confirm the pick-up times and any cost for your flight when you book.

Can my child fly to the US alone?

Yes — most international campers do. Book the airline's unaccompanied-minor service (each airline sets its own age rules, usually up to 12 or 14), and we'll make sure the camp knows the flight details so someone is waiting at arrivals. We'll confirm the camp's exact pick-up arrangements and any transfer cost when you book.

Does my child need a visa?

Families arrange travel documents themselves. Children with a passport from a Visa Waiver country — Czechia and most of the EU included — need an approved ESTA (the online US travel authorisation) before they board, so apply a few weeks ahead. Children from other countries normally need a B-2 visitor visa for a summer camp, not a student visa. For any other passport, ask us and we'll check what applies.

Can we cancel if plans change?

The camp's refunds only apply if you buy its cancellation insurance (US$300 per 2-week session) when you enrol: then you get 100% back if you cancel before 1 February 2027, 75% before 1 March and 50% before 1 April, and you can switch sessions or immersives until 15 April. Without it, fees aren't refundable — worth knowing before you book.