Camp Preparation

Camp Forms

Instructions and forms needed for the first day at camp are in the Ready To Rock Packet. The link to download the packet is located on the main home page of the Camp Jam website and will be available in the spring. There will be an additional packet to download for Camp Jam Overnight students.

All campers are required to at least have 6 months experience on their instrument to attend Camp Jam; no experience is necessary for Camp Jam Kidz. Camp Jam highly recommends that if your camper is not currently taking lessons, a pre camp tune up lesson with our certified instructors will get them ready to rock. Camp Jam has qualified teachers in your city. All campers should purchase a Camp Jam Rock Solid Series instructional book prior to camp and play through pre camp prep topics suggested in the Ready To Rock Pack. Rock Solid Series books are available for guitar, bass, drums and keyboards and can be ordered by calling Camp Jam or ordering online at Amazon.com or other on line sources.

What to Bring (at a glance)

For a more detailed list download the Camp Jam Ready To Rock Pack on the home page of the website (posted in the spring)

• Health history form – in the Ready to Rock Pack

• Permission slips - in the Ready to Rock Pack

• Bag Lunch – (non perishable)

• Instrument – for guitar players, bass players only. Drums, keyboards and vocal equipment provided. Kidz camp does not require an instrument, they are all provided. If your camper has been playing guitar or bass prior to camp and would feel more comfortable playing on their instrument, it is suggested they bring it with them.

• An mp3 player is also suggested to enable students to practice their parts individually.

Evaluations and Mondays

All day campers are to check in at 8:00am accompanied by a parent or an adult. Mondays are unlike any other day at Camp Jam. Upon arrival campers are evaluated by professional instructors to determine each students level, age, favorite bands and style(s) of music. Live evaluations are necessary in order to place each camper with the band best suited for them. THIS IS A PROCESS AND DOES TAKE SOME TIME. Campers are asked to be patient until all evaluations are completed. After campers are evaluated they will be escorted to the stage area where they will meet fellow campers, listen to music and get to know their instructors.

As the camp director and staff review evaluations and form the bands, camp instructors will perform on stage and lead a “break the ice” jam for those who want to participate. If additional time is needed to form the bands campers will immediately break off by instrument and go to a group instruction class. After the jam, students are introduced to the camp staff, schedule, camp policies, rules and regulations.

Next, band announcements are made and instructors and bands are assigned to groups. Bands must now collaborate and pick a song from the Camp Jam song list and agree on a name for the group. As you can imagine, this can take a few moments! Instructors will assist bands to expedite the process.

After all bands and groups are formed each group will rotate through introductory sessions to get familiar with the stage gear, camp layout and other camp equipment.. A song learning prep session is also necessary to collect lyrics, music and tab for their song(s).

Next, the bands begin rehearsals in the ensemble rooms and on the live stage for the remainder of the afternoon. By Tuesday, everyone gets in the groove and the previous day of evaluations and introductory classes are forgotten. The focus is to play hard, the Friday concert is near. Time to Rock.