The Center is a dance studio at 321 Main Street in Amherst, run by sisters Ashley and Caddy Carlisle, that hosts nine week-long summer camps for children entering grades 1-6, with a limited number of slots for children entering kindergarten. Each week pairs a reader/writer's workshop with collaborative choreography, arts and crafts and a daily cool-down at the town pool, on themes including Hip Hop Hooray, Midsummer Ballet, Ballet Theatre, Fairies & Folklore, Dance Around the World, Earth Dance and Moving Museum. Camps run 9:00am-3:30pm at $450 per week, and every week ends with an informal performance for families. A $100 non-refundable deposit holds a spot; campers are grouped by a mix of ages and abilities rather than strictly by grade.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact The Center Dance directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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★★★★★EmmaWe love Center Dance! My daughter has been doing classes since she was 18 months and we just signed up for 2 more. Ashley is a wonderful teacher and really takes the time to listen to each child and get on their level. Can’t wait for more classes to come!
★★★★★CoryMy child has done 3 different camps this summer and he seems happiest by far at center dance!
★★Mary LovettThe class itself was lovely, but too "old" for my granddaughter. The ladies were very quick to reply to me when inquiring about the class, but it has now been 2 weeks waiting for a reply on a refund for the class.
★★★★★Charles HertanI love center dance! The teachers are wonderful, the administrators are great, and the classes are great. My 6 year old Emma has attended 3 classes so far and all were peak experiences for her. To top it all off she has made some great new friends. I would give 10 stars if I could
★★★★★Leah ColdhamWe love the Center Dance so much! The week before classes start my daughter asks me every day if this is the day she gets to go to dance class 😊