I recently started to do some in-depth planning for the summer camps I plan to offer this summer! My studio policies provide students with two options for the summer months (June-August):
- Students ages 6-12 may participate in a camp each month plus take 5 lessons scheduled approximately every other week around family vacations, or…
- Students may continue weekly lessons (10 total) as normal. Students who choose to continue lessons as normal are welcome to sign up for 1, 2, or all 3 summer camps on top of their lessons if desired, at a special rate.
Because I have such a range of ages/levels in my studio, I decided to make my camps very flexible so that students of a wide range of musical backgrounds (even those with no music background) can attend camp. When my studio is larger, I will probably design camps for certain ages/levels. For this year, I think it’s best to be flexible. I’m encouraging my students to invite their friends to attend camp and I’ll put posters around town too. I’m hoping for a turnout of about 4-8 students attending each camp.
Below are the descriptions I came up with for each camp. What do you think — do they sound like fun?! 🙂
JUNE 11-14: Musical Olympics! (UPDATE: read about how my camp went here.)
This camp is designed to get students experiencing and learning about music through movement activities and team games like Rhythm Toss, Musical Hoops, Rhythm Splash, and the Musical Alphabet Relay. On the first day of camp, campers will be divided into two teams that will compete for the gold medal throughout the week! Campers — be sure to wear your swimsuit under your clothes, because there just might be a game involving water planned for each day of camp!
JULY 9-12: So, You Want To Be A Composer? (UPDATE: read about how my camp went here.)
During this composition bootcamp, campers will gain inspiration and tools for composing their own music! Students will examine the creative process of a famous composer each day, and then create/notate their own composition in a related fashion. For example, the French Impressionist composer Claude Debussy was inspired by colors, so we will learn to notate a composition using various colors of paint! In addition to individual work, there will also be opportunities for improvising and composing as a group throughout the week. Students will also craft a musical instrument to take home each day.
AUGUST 6-9: Music History Blast From The Past! (UPDATE: read about how my camp went here.)
During this camp, we will be traveling back in time to get a glimpse into the lives of the great classical composers. Each day, we will focus on a time period from music history and create a scrapbook page of pictures/notes to take home. As we study the composers we will be not only listening to the music of each time period, but also looking at the instruments, clothes, and art of each time period in order to make the past come alive. Campers will be sure experience the thrill of a blast from the past during this music history camp!
Many of the activities I’m planning for each camp are from Sheryl’s blog (because she has lots of great game ideas and lots of experience with summer camps too) and from Pinterest. I’m sure I’ll be sharing more of the details — and hopefully photos too — eventually! Are you planning any summer camps this year?
They all sound fun Joy! The best is when they have a hard time choosing so they choose more then one! 🙂
Is the Music History blast from the past a theory time camp? If so, can you let me know how you liked that one when you are done with it? Just curious… I’ve used some of their camps and have looked at that one.
Hi Jennifer,
Nope, the music history camp is not a theory time camp. I’m making the lesson plans myself. 🙂
Hi Joy, these all sound so fun! I’d sign up for all three!
Kudos to you for organizing summer camps–it seems like such an undertaking! I’ve been reading Sheryl’s blog for a while as well and would like to do a camp *someday.* It seems like a great opportunity to not only grow the community within your studio, but to also get new students!! I hope it works out for you and proves to be a fun and worthwhile experience for you. Good luck with the planning stages–can’t wait to hear more about it.
These all sound like lots of fun! I haven’t run any camps myself, but I’d love to know how your camps go! Keep us posted– I can’t wait to hear more about these camps.
You’ve probably already considered this, but your interest level for the Musical Olympics camp might be even higher if there’s a way you can put it closer to the actual Summer Olympics this year (which I think are July into early August). Figured I should throw that idea out there!
I hadn’t considered this. I put the Musical Olympics camp in June in hope that the weather wouldn’t be as hot as in July or August. Summer months here get pretty humid, and I don’t want my students to overheat too much!
Hi Joy, I am so excited to have found your blog. I teach about 13 preschool music classes a week and also have a private studio with 17 students. I love your ideas for incorporating color and excitement into your teaching. Your blog is very inspiring and since I found you I have spent a lot of time searching your links and ideas. Thank you so much for taking the time to share what you are doing. I think your students are very lucky to have you.
A few years ago I did a summer camp with preschool kids where we made instruments each day and then at the end they put on a “marching band” show (about 5 minutes) for their parents so they could play each instrument. Your camps sound like a lot of fun.
Here’s to music for one and all!
I like the idea of having a show for the parents on the last day of camp!! I might have to consider incorporating this idea into my lesson plans… 🙂
Thanks for your comment, Heather!
These sound so fun Joy!!
Those sound amazing, Joy! Can I sign up?! 🙂
Hi Joy,
Your camps sound like so much fun! I’m looking into having a camp for the first time this summer, and reading other teachers’ tried-and-true ideas is very helpful. Out of curiosity, have you used, or heard of anyone using, some sort of a liability waiver when kids sign up? One of my concerns is if a child gets hurt (bee sting, minor fall), I don’t want the parents coming after me! Thanks,
-Rachel
Hi Rachel!
If you’d like extra liability coverage, I would look into adding a home business liability extension onto your current home owners’ (or renters’) insurance. It will cover you if a student trips on a rug, breaks their leg, and tries to sue you or your business. It doesn’t cost much to add (under $75 for the whole year), you can write it off as a business expense, and it will give you some peace of mind! It was totally worth it for me.
Adding a liability waiver to the registration form isn’t a bad idea either. I hadn’t considered it before. Even if you do have them sign a liability waiver, I’d still consider adding the extra liability coverage anyway if I were you.
Good luck with your camps! 🙂 (Your blog looks great, by the way!)
I have done a preschool level summer camp in the past. This summer we are taking it easy because we just moved and just had baby #4. Your ideas are super fun and I can’t wait to hear how it goes for you!
Hi Joy!
I’m thinking of doing a summer camp in my studio this year.
How much do you charge (for students) for your two plans?
Hi Allison! With either option, parents pay the normal monthly tuition. (Read more about flat monthly rates here.
To figure out what to charge for the camps individually, I highly recommend researching what other (non-music) camps cost in your area. How much you charge should also depend how many hours the camp will take place, how many hours of prep you anticipate needing, the cost of the expenses you will need to make the camp happen, the approximate number of students you anticipate signing up. You need to make sure to charge enough that it is worth your time to run the camp. Good luck!
Hi Joy, I know that this is an older post but I love the ideas. I’m thinking about doing a similar set up for this summer (2014). Lessons + Camp or weekly lessons. I was wondering how you presented this to your students. Did you have a flyer, handout or booklet that you used? My parents do fine when I give them a list of lesson times and they just have to pick one. Whenever I give them more options they get confused by the choices. I’m thinking that maybe it’s in my presentation. Help?