2026 Sessions
Session 1:
June 24 – July 5
Grades 9 – 12 (Central Camp)
Grades 7 – 8 (Camp Bernstein)
Session 2:
July 8 – July 19
Grades 9 – 12 (Central Camp)
Grades 7 – 8 (Camp Bernstein)
Session 3:
July 22 – August 2
Grades 7 – 9 (Central Camp)
Grades 5 – 7 (Camp Bernstein)
Session 4:
August 5 – August 16
Grades 7 – 9 (Central Camp)
Grades 5 – 7 (Camp Bernstein)
A Typical Day
Following introductory meetings on the opening day of the session, each camper will be provided a schedule based on their placement. While schedules vary as a result of a student’s major, placement within groups, minor, and class locations, all central camp students experience the same approximate framework for the daily schedule: Campers begin each day at approximately 6:45am by getting up and ready for breakfast. Mornings are filled with classes and rehearsals until lunch. Students enjoy a rest period after lunch, then participate in a minor course of their choice. Afternoon classes and rehearsals end at 4:30pm, leaving plenty of time for recreation and time with friends before dinner. After dinner, campers attend scheduled evening activities before getting ready for bed. Around 9:45pm, staff members call lights out with Taps.
Recreation and Free Time
Blue Lake provides a highly structured instructional day for students. During daily recreation and free time, students participate in recreational offerings, hang out with friends, visit the pools, rest in their cabin, or practice. Students are encouraged to participate in recreational activities with other campers and staff, such as basketball, beach volleyball, ga-ga ball, ping-pong, swimming, water games, soccer, kickball, ultimate Frisbee, spike ball, or 9-square in the air. Activities are always supervised by staff members, who often can’t help but join in the fun.
Run Club
Led by experienced runners from within Blue Lake’s staff, Run Club meets regularly during recreation hour to provide an opportunity for those who wish to maintain their training while at camp. Club members use time for warm-ups, conditioning, and easy runs throughout Blue Lake’s campus and trails. Distances and paces are determined based upon members’ comfort levels, and emphasis is placed on creating a supportive and laid back environment for fellow runners.
The Happy Camper
Located in Central Park, the camp store offers a wide assortment of snacks, ice cream, and refreshments as well as souvenirs, gifts, uniform items, and basic camp supplies. The Happy Camper is a favorite daily destination for many within the camp community. Visit shop.bluelake.org to order for on-camp delivery directly to your camper’s cabin.
The Musical Instrument Museum
While at camp, many students will visit the Musical Instrument Museum to learn the history of their own instruments. Home of one of the largest collections of antique instruments in the Midwest, you never know what sounds you’ll hear in the museum. We even have a calliope which makes an appearance on campus now and then.
Evening Events
Every evening after dinner, campers enjoy a scheduled event or activity. Evenings include a wide range of arts events such as concerts, recitals, master classes, seminars, or workshops; or camp fun with staff including cabin skits, talent shows, unit activities, pizza parties, campfires, and more.
On the Air
The broadcast studios of Blue Lake Public Radio, WBLV 90.3 in Muskegon and WBLU 88.9 in Grand Rapids, are located on the campus of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and serve as a voice of the arts with a focus on classical, jazz, and NPR programming. Campers have the opportunity to attend live broadcasts at William Stewart Memorial Music Shell, and those who take the Radio Broadcast minor get a hands-on learning experience inside the studios with our experienced announcers. Blue Lake Public Radio also streams online at bluelake.org/radio, and our radio app is available for download for Apple and Android devices. Tune in!
