What It Is
Kids in the Spotlight (KITS) is an evidence-based 5-day performing arts retreat experience that facilitates phenomenal breakthroughs for children, youth, and their families. Created and run by counselor and Developmental Psychology MA Denise Goldbeck, KITS uses the performing arts as a vehicle for awe-inspiring development.
Over the course of five unforgettable days, children and youth of all ages create and perform in a musical production. Along the way, they learn to communicate, respect themselves and others, express themselves confidently, overcome challenges, and heal from difficult experiences. By the end, each child has taken a fun, inspiring, and transformative journey.

Testimonials

How It Works
KITS is hosted at venues across the world, with 7 programs held each year at the Haven Institute on Gabriola Island, B.C.
Parents or guardians attend the opening session on the first evening of the program, as well as the performance on the last evening (the program ends at noon the following day). Parents or guardians care for their children outside of session times.
Older children have evening sessions; younger children generally do not. For programs on Gabriola Island, children stay at The Haven with a parent or guardian.
Activities that Build Confidence & Communication
The group creates a child-led culture through playing games and creating the show. Children are cast according to which roles will benefit them the most. You leaders support the performers, helping them to develop self-confidence and social skills. Fun is had by all!
KITS Kids Gain:
• Self-awareness
• Increased confidence
• Increased poise
• Greater social understanding
• Increased social interaction skills
• Leadership ability
• Enhanced family relationships
• Improved academic performance
• Increased ability to hold attention
• Sense of belonging
• Understanding of one’s own development
• Ability to participate in small and large groups
LAUNCH: Taking the Next Step
LAUNCH is a leadership program for youth, aged 13 to twenty-something, who help facilitate the KITS program.
FITS: For the Whole Family
Families in the Spotlight is a program to help whole families build stronger relationships, a better understanding of their family purpose and wonderful memories.
Location & Schedule

The Haven
Denise Goldbeck has been leading Kids in the Spotlight at the Haven since 1987. The Haven Institute is an accredited educational training center that offers courses in personal and professional development, focusing on communication, relationships, and self-understanding.
Families may rent a cabin at the resort for the five days while the program runs. Various other services are offered to guests, such as a pool and gymnasium. Please visit www.haven.ca for more information.
The program takes place in the Phoenix Auditorium, a spacious facility perfect for energetic and theatrical nature of the program.
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Schedule
KITS is held at the Haven in March, July and August each year, as well as at different times at different venues across the world. Please stay in touch to learn when new venues and times may be available.
Upcoming Dates
KITS Spring Break – March 19-24, 2023
KITS Summer:
July 10 – 15, 2023
July 17 – 22, 2023
July 24 – 29, 2023
July 31 – August 5, 2023
August 6 – 11, 2023
August 13-18, 2023
For LAUNCH: Youth Leadership (July 4-9 2023), head over to this page.
Looking to Register or Ask a Question about KITS? Contact us!
Want to bring KITS to your community?
When counselor and Developmental Psychology MA Denise Goldbeck created KITS, she wanted to use the performing arts as a vehicle for awe-inspiring child and youth development. And 34 years and 4,500 programme graduates later, the evidence-based KITS experience is transforming lives across the planet.
But is it missing from your community?
Join the KITS movement by inviting this programme to your city or town. The KITS “formula”— powerful development, learning, and leadership experiences through the performing arts for mixed age groups of children and youth—works well in many formats. Whether you want the classic KITS 5-day retreat experience or an after-school program, the benefits will still look the same—and they will be awesome!
Help kids and youth in your community to develop confidence, social skills, well-being, and harmonious relationships with family and friends.
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How it could work
KITS is about creating community—and that can happen anywhere. The KITS programme is flexible and works well in a number of different formats. Here are only a few approaches we could try:
The classic 5-day approach
If your community has the right kind of facility, we could run the program the way we usually do: as a 5-day retreat for parents and kids. (See above for an overview of how that works.)
A day camp
Is there a church or a community center in your community that could host a day camp? We could get the group together for a weekend, a day, or whatever works.
An after-school program
The KITS experience makes for an amazing after-school program, where kids can have fun, create deeper friendships, and learn about themselves after class is dismissed.
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Join Our Community
If you like being the first to know our KITS newsletter will keep you front of mind! Learn of upcoming events & introductory offers!


Ⓒ Kids in the Spotlight