Deciding between joining a theater or a music camp can feel like choosing one path instead of another. In fact, research shows that adolescents involved in the arts yield meaningful gains: for example, participation in drama or theater performance has been linked to higher scores on the SAT: dramainvolved students scored, on average, about 35 points higher on the verbal component and 24 on the math component than non-arts peers. Likewise, extracurricular music and arts involvement has been associated with improvements in general academic performance.

In light of that, it does not have to be “either theater or music” for teens.That’s where programs that combine both worlds shine.

At Long Lake Camp for the Arts, teens can participate in a summer arts environment where theater and music are offered concurrently, giving them room to discover what resonates most while gaining experience in both.

The case for both theater and music involvement

In many summer camps, the focus is narrow—just theater, or just music. But research in youth arts programming indicates broader benefits when teens engage across multiple disciplines. For example:

  • Youth theater programs help build confidence, communication skills, and teamwork.
  • Music and participatory arts activities are tied to improved academic outcomes and cognitive engagement.
  • Arts engagement supports social connection, self-expression, mastery of skills, positive mindstate, and overall health.

By being in a camp environment offering both theater and music, a teen doesn’t have to limit themselves early. They can try acting, singing, instrument work, ensemble rehearsal, and then apply their preferences and talents once they have a sense of what they enjoy most.

Teen camper playing guitar on stage during summer arts camps

Why Long Lake Camp works for teens in theater and music

Long Lake Camp for the Arts is unique among arts summer camp in New York options. Key points include:

  • They serve children and teens aged 8 to 16.
  • They offer full freedom for campers to choose the arts they love, whether that is theater, music, fine arts, dance, or film.
  • The environment is a sleep-away camp setting in New York state, offering a traditional camp experience combined with specialized arts programming.
  • In the theater and music departments, there are studios, rehearsal spaces, and full-scale productions and performance opportunities.
  • No day is the same, keeping each day fresh, engaging, and full of new creative opportunities

This flexibility means that the typical dilemma of choosing one discipline is removed. Instead of “theater or music,” the teen can say: “Let me participate in both, grow in both, and receive professional guidance.”

How teens benefit when they sample both theater and music

Here are some concrete advantages for teens when a camp allows both disciplines:

  1. Better informed decisions about their interests
  2. Crossdiscipline skill development
  3. Supportive, low-pressure environment to try things
  4. Professional instructor backgrounds and peer group

By participating in both theater and music, teens not only gain a clearer sense of their passions but also develop versatile skills, build confidence, and form meaningful connections that support their growth on and off the stage.

Teen campers performing a dramatic scene from The Night of the Living Dead with a spotlight on them

Practical tips for choosing the right summer arts camps for a teen

When you evaluate camps, especially where theater vs music is a real decision, keep these in mind:

  • Check schedule flexibility: Can your teen choose music and theater tracks? Do they allow cross-enrollment?
  • Instructor credentials: Are the theater directors experienced? Are the music faculty capable of handling beginners through advanced?
  • Performance opportunities: Are there recitals, band nights, theater productions? How much rehearsal time is offered?
  • Non-arts environment: Does the camp offer a balanced setting with social, outdoor, age-appropriate non-arts time to reduce burnout?
  • Camp size and support: A smaller camper-to-staff ratio often means more individual attention.
  • Budget and logistics: Verify session length, cost, and what is included (instruments, costumes, trips).
  • Culture and philosophy: A camp with a non-competitive arts philosophy might be more comfortable for a teen who is undecided and would benefit from trying both disciplines.

Integrating outcome and expectation

By choosing a camp that offers both theater and music, teens are not forced to prematurely “choose one or the other.” Instead, they engage, learn, and discover. At Long Lake Camp for the Arts, a teen may have:

  • Collaborated with peers in both domains
  • Gained clarity on which discipline resonates more
  • Developed skills that apply across settings, including confidence, teamwork, and communication

A multi-disciplinary arts camp experience can offer strong added value.

Teen campers playing guitars and singing on stage during rock night.

Make the Most of Summer: Give Your Teen the Best of Theater and Music

If your teen is torn between music and theater, choosing a summer arts camp that offers both is a smart path. At Long Lake Camp for the Arts, teens can sample theater performance, music ensembles, and even musical theatre in New York, with professional guidance and a supportive environment in an established camp setting in New York.Allow your teen to try both and discover where their talent truly shines.

Our summer programs offer a one-of-a-kind experience in the country, where teens develop discipline, confidence, and lasting friendships through creative expression and performance. For any questions, contact our winter office, conveniently located in the NYC metro area at 199 Washington Avenue, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522. If cost is a concern, reach out to us—we’re happy to help.

Give your teen the chance to try both music and theater and see where their true talent shines.