Kids in The Spotlight

5 days to play their way towards confidence,
communication, and courageous creativity!

All-Stages Education Foundation will be taking your program registration. All-Stages is the parent organization for Launch, Kids in the Spotlight and Families in the Spotlight. Please contact Melanie Noullett for registration at melanienoullett@allstagesfoundation.org

Email register@haven.ca, or call 1-800-222-9211, ext 1 to reserve accommodation and meals.

Spring Break programming:

Summer programming:

  • Contact melanienoullett@allstagesfoundation.org to register for the program.
  • Contact register@haven.ca to reserve your room and meals.
  • Meal package for participants 10 years and under for 5 days is $300 (includes 2 snacks per day)
  • Meal package for participants 11 years and up and adults for 5 days is $400 (includes 2 snacks per day)
  • Children and youth under 15 years of age stay with a parent or guardian – room charges range from $725 to $1900 for a 5 night stay depending on room type and number of people in the room.
  • Youth 13 years and older can continue their journey of development by becoming a youth intern and attending the LAUNCH Youth Leadership Training in addition to a KITS session.


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.

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. Children stay at The Haven with a parent or guardian.

Children learn:

  • 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

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. Youth leaders support the performers, helping them to develop self-confidence and social skills. Fun is had by all!

In an optional, complementary session, caregivers learn about:

  • Child development (their own and their children’s)
  • The developmental aspects of the program

Still not sure? Here are some comments from parents and grandparents of past programs…

At KITS, children learn about themselves and others in a safe place where they are accepted for being themselves. Youth interns become poised, confident, young adults. I believe that they will make a world full of self-aware, compassionate, inclusive, and responsible people, able to take on future challenges with strength, courage, and wisdom. Naomi, parent

This program was so transformational for my daughter. The awareness’s she walked away with about how she shows up for herself and towards others was really powerful. She felt a level of joy in her heart that is often hard for her to touch, this emotion now lives with her as a reference point for what’s possible. I would highly recommend this program to everyone. Kate, parent

I hope this will be the first of many for my grandchildren. I think the older students demonstrated how powerful the program is for teaching kindness and consideration. I would highly recommend it. Alison, grandparent

Denise MA, PhD, DipC, RCC is a developmentalist specializing in social and moral development in children. She has been working with children, teens and families for over 35 years. She is the founder of Kids in the Spotlight and the Youth Leadership Program and leads Personal Parenting. Denise’s purpose in life is to smooth the way for young people as they discover their identities and build their lives. She helps parents increase harmony in their homes and raise children who are prepared to thrive in our challenging world.

Website: Kids in the Spotlight

Click here to download the Kids in the Spotlight – Summer Schedule