Mini Camp 2026
Blue Lake’s Mini Camp provides an introduction to overnight camp for rising 5th–7th graders with a focus on learning beginning techniques and skills needed for a successful launch in their school music program. Open only to students who have no experience but plan to join Band or Choir in the fall of ‘26, the BL Mini Camp prepares students to confidently enter a music program and serve as rising leaders in their school ensembles.
Mini Camp Participants will...
- Engage in a range of traditional camp activities, including recreation, singing, games, campfire time, and crafts
- Receive one-on-one coaching in small group classes taught by expert faculty
- Receive positive guidance and mentorship from experienced staff
- Make new friends with people who have a common interest – making music!
- Have a great time at camp!
- Ensemble Rehearsals
- Instrument Care & Introductory Technique for Band students; Vocal Technique & Solfege Class for Choir students
- Music 101 (note and rhythm reading, music vocabulary, tempo and dynamics)
- Listening Lab: Learning from the Pros
- Camp Style! (a mix of zany camp-focused fun)
Program Overview:
August 5 – 9 only
Through smaller groups and large ensemble, students learn a wide range of foundational elements as they work toward a small demonstration for families on the final day. Campers will:
- Learn introductory fundamentals of reading music, including identifying notes, rhythms, dynamics, and musical vocabulary
- Listen to music of different time periods, styles, genres, and cultures
- Learn the beginnings of the Kodaly solfege system (with hand signs): Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La , Ti, Do
- Find their vocal range and voice part, then learn to match pitch and blend with others
- Start the process of learning beginning notes, basic vocal skills, proper posture, and breathing techniques
- Learn rehearsal and performance skills and other expectations common for choir classrooms and performance settings
- Participate in daily Listening Lab, highlighting quintessential examples of a professional ensemble sound, classic and contemporary choral literature, and prime examples of tone production
- Receive a unique take-home guide for young vocalists, including vocal skills and exercises, note-reading basics, and other helpful resources
August 5 – 9 or August 12 – 16
Through small groups and large ensembles, students learn a wide range of foundational elements as they work toward a small demonstration for families on the final day. Campers will:
- Learn fundamentals of reading and listening to music: notes, rhythms, dynamics, and musical vocabulary
- Learn how to assemble and properly hold the instrument with emphasis on proper posture and embouchure
- Begin the process of learning beginning notes and basic scale(s) associated with their instrument
- Participate in daily Listening Lab, highlighting quintessential examples of a professional ensemble sound, classic and contemporary wind band literature, and prime examples of tone production
- Receive a unique take-home guide for their instrument, including fingering charts, scales, note-reading basics, and other helpful resources
Selecting an Instrument – Beginning Band
The Mini Camp for Band is open only to Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, and Percussion students who have no experience but plan to join Band in the fall. Enrolling students are encouraged to consult with their school band director and secure their instrument of choice prior to enrolling.
Is your student unsure about which instrument they’d like to begin playing? No problem! An “instrument petting zoo” will be available on the first day to help students select an instrument and be fitted for the camp session. A limited number of instruments will be available on loan from Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Students will have an opportunity to share their plans for securing an instrument on the application.
August 5 – 9 or August 12 – 16
For oboe, bassoon, tenor sax, baritone sax, horn, baritone, tuba, percussion
With faculty guidance, students will continue their musical journey on their new instrument, preparing to return to their band program as a more versatile instrumentalist. Blending with the Mini Camp Band beginners through small groups and large ensembles, students learn a wide range of foundational elements as they work toward a small demonstration for families on the final day. Campers will:
- Learn how to assemble and properly hold the instrument with emphasis on proper posture and embouchure
- Learn different clefs through exercises in note reading (for those switching clefs)
- Begin the process of learning basic scale(s) associated with their new instrument
- Receive group lessons with a special focus on playing the new instrument with a quality characteristic sound
- Review fundamentals of reading and listening to music: notes, rhythms, dynamics, and musical vocabulary
- Participate in daily Listening Lab, highlighting quintessential examples of a professional ensemble sound, classic and contemporary wind band literature, and prime examples of tone production
- Receive a unique take-home guide for their instrument, including fingering charts, scales, note-reading basics, and other helpful resources
Selecting an Instrument for the Switching Band Instruments mini-camp
The Mini Camp for those switching band instruments is open to students who have already had some introductory band experience but are now switching to: oboe, bassoon, tenor sax, baritone sax, horn, baritone, tuba, or percussion. For this program, students are expected to bring their own instrument, and will indicate that on the application. For questions, please contact Richard Erne, Director of Arts Programs, at 231-894-1966 x214.
Selecting an Instrument
The Mini Camp is open only to Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, and Percussion students who have no experience but plan to join Band in the fall. Enrolling students are encouraged to consult with their school band director and secure their instrument of choice prior to enrolling.
Is your student unsure about which instrument they’d like to begin playing? No problem! An “instrument petting zoo” will be available on the first day to help students select an instrument and be fitted for the camp session. A limited number of instruments will be available on loan from Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Students will have an opportunity to share their plans for securing an instrument on the program application.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for this five-day session is $525 and includes instruction with Blue Lake’s distinguished faculty, supervision by our outstanding college staff, materials and supplies for activities, and one uniform shirt. Additional uniform shirts are available for a small charge of $16 each. Tuition assistance is available for students with a personal recommendation from an established music educator. Contact the Scholarship Office at scholarships@bluelake.org or 800-221-3796 ext. 202. And of course, don’t forget to supply your camper with snack funds for a daily visit to the Happy Camper! A deposit of $90 is due at the time of enrollment, and the balance is due 14 days prior to the first day.
Participants are strongly encouraged to purchase camp insurance as a means of protecting your investment. Comprehensive benefits include coverage for camper cancelations due to illness, injury, family emergencies, or other qualifying unforeseen circumstances. You will have the opportunity to select this insurance as you complete your camp reservation. Insurance is provided by Travel Insured International via UltraCamp (our registration platform), and more information is available here: https://www.travelinsured.com/ultracamp/
Refunds are processed by the business office within 45 days of written notice to the Admissions Registrar at admissions@bluelake.org.
∙ If written notice to withdraw arrives 14 days before the first day of the session, all payments made, less the $90 deposit, will be refunded.
∙ Requests received within 14 days prior to the start of the session are not eligible for a refund. ∙ Payments for any unfulfilled uniform orders shall be fully refunded.
∙ Uniform items, once used, are not eligible for a refund. Used uniforms may be donated to the Financial Need Scholarship Program by contacting the Scholarship Office.
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp is a small non-profit organization which is funded primarily through earned income from camp tuition. Because our organization sustains significant administrative costs associated with managing operations, we wish to provide opportunities for those who are invested in supporting the mission and longevity of the camp. If you are in a position to donate any portion of your refund eligible tuition to our organization, you can help to support our ability to meet year-round operating costs, maintain our scholarship funds, and ensure the future of our programs. Donations are considered tax-deductible. Please contact the Development Office at development@bluelake.org for more information.
FAQs:
Even though the mini-camp program is a unique area of Blue Lake’s operation, you can find answers to many common camp questions in our Frequently Asked Questions section. As always, parents are encouraged to contact our administrative staff at 800-221-3796 with additional questions!
Yes! This program is designed specifically for students who have no experience. The mini-camp gives new-to-music students the proper beginning building blocks to help them jump-start a successful experience in school ensembles.
If your student has been participating successfully in their school choir or band program for a year or more, has studied privately, has a solid grasp of music reading, and/or has other in-depth musical experience, we recommend considering the Central Camp (for Choir students), or Central Camp or Camp Bernstein programs (for Band students). If your student is an eager self-starter who has limited experience but learns quite quickly, we think the mini-camp program will be an excellent fit. Our faculty and staff will meet students at their current level and provide appropriate instruction in a friendly and challenging manner to help them grow musically. If you are not sure, just give us a call!
Blue Lake’s “switching band instruments” mini-camp is designed specifically for young musicians with limited band experience who are now switching to oboe, bassoon, tenor sax, bari sax, horn, euphonium, tuba, or percussion. The program accommodates students who have already learned the basics of their introductory instrument but are now challenged with moving to a new instrument. More information is available by contacting Richard Erne, Director of Arts Programs, at 800-221-3796 x214.
We are here to help! Blue Lake has been providing outstanding overnight camp experiences to students for generations. Our staff members are trained specifically to build a welcoming community among students, create a fun and motivating environment focused on arts education, and address student concerns with attention and compassion. Students are expected to arrive ready to make new friends and step outside of their comfort zone. Parents can assist students in preparation by carefully reading pre-camp materials from Blue Lake, packing suggested items, and discussing elements of community living with students. Parents are encouraged to contact Blue Lake with questions at 800-221-3796.
Yes! All Blue Lakers wear a unique camp uniform. One t-shirt is included with registration. Additional shirts are available for a small charge. The traditional light-blue Blue Lake polo is also acceptable. The rest of the uniform (bottoms, socks, shoes, etc) is provided by the student. The camp staff will do laundry at least twice during the mini-camp. A detailed packing list will be provided upon registration.
Blue Lake does not permit campers to have cell phones at camp. Visit phones and calling home to learn more about this policy. The camp staff will contact parents with any concerns that arise, and parents are always welcome to contact the staff or student during the camp stay. Parents will be provided contact information upon check-in.
Housing is assigned based on your student’s grade level and gender. Campers stay in bunk beds in a large, rustic, one-room cabin with a bunch of new friends and one cabin counselor. Cabins share community restroom facilities with shared sink spaces and individual shower and toilet stalls. For an overview of the camp community living environment at Blue Lake, visit Cabin Life. For more information on our gender-inclusive housing practices, visit Housing Policy. Notification of your housing assignment will be sent with final instructions just prior to arrival.
Interesting Reads
- I Love My Kid - That’s Why I Send Him Away for the Summer - Pop Sugar
- 5 Reasons Parents Send Their Kids to Summer Camp - Sunshine Parenting
- 10 Reasons to Send a Kid to Camp - Metro Parent - Southeast Michigan
- Should I Be Sending My Children to Camp? - Huffington Post
- How to deal with a homesick camper - Today's Parent
- Sending your child to camp? Manage your worries - American Psychological Association
