Renorover - Posted - 11/25/2011:  17:45:12

Thinking about attending a banjo camp this coming year...

Anyone have any advice/recommendations or good/bad to tell about any of the various ones offered locations here in the West or elsewhere?

Reno

yopasjim - Posted - 11/25/2011:  18:07:41

I am thinking about going to the American Banjo Camp in Washington - September of 2012.  I hear from some that say it is a great one.

jarvieranger - Posted - 11/25/2011:  20:13:00

The American Banjo Camp in Ft. Flagler, WA is an awesome camp and well worth your time.  I went in 2011 and plan on going back in 2012.

Kirk Jacobs - Posted - 11/25/2011:  20:44:05

Pete Wernick also does banjo camps in Boulder, Colorado. Never been to one but people that have seem to love it.

BANJO TONY - Posted - 11/25/2011:  21:06:05

I've been to banjo camp north it was great.go have fun,you will love it.

bevans - Posted - 11/25/2011:  22:35:07

Hi Renorover,

Closer to home, check out the two music camps sponsored by the California Bluegrass Association (cbaontheweb.org). The CBA sponsors a Winter Camp outside of Petaluma, CA (Marin County), 3 miles from the Pacific, from February 17 to 20th. In addition, they sponsor a camp in Grass Valley (closer to you!)  just before their Father's Day Bluegrass Festival. Dates for the 2012 camp are June 10-13 (and the festival - the best all-bluegrass festival on the West Coast in the summer IMHO - is June 14-17).

Not only are there multiple classes for each instrument (beginning, intermediate and high intermediate bluegrass and beginners and intermediate old-time) but there are also classes for all of the other instruments - meaning, you've got great jamming opportunities with other instruments during camp (this is something you don't usually get at all-banjo camps). Both CBA camps are among the best in the country with great food and world class teachers.

Learn more by linking to cbamusiccamp.org/

Also, Renorover, I'll be teaching banjo workshops in Reno this coming winter - date still to be decided but I'm looking at the first Saturday in February. So stay tuned!

All the best,

Bill Evans

billevansbanjo.com / bill@billevansbanjo.com

Edited by - bevans on 11/25/2011 22:36:11

Texasbanjo - Posted - 11/26/2011:  05:50:01

Check out Camp Bluegrass in Levelland, TX, or HCamp in Kerrville, TX.  Both has an excellent lineup of teachers.  Alan Munde will (hopefully) be at both and he's an excellent instructor. 

Camp Bluegrass has daily group lessons, an afternoon structured jam for beginners, intermediate and advanced, jamming every night.  Lots and lots of learning material to take home and work on.

HCamp isn't as big as Camp Bluegrass, but has about the same teachers, etc., as Camp Bluegrass.

campbluegrass.com  wwsw.hcamp.com

CHaynie - Posted - 11/26/2011:  17:00:26

quote:

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Originally posted by Renorover

Thinking about attending a banjo camp this coming year...

I've been to both Levelland and The British Columbia Bluegrass Workshop camp bunches of times.  They are both great.  Good instructors, good shows, lots of nice bluegrassers.  You can't miss with either.  If you can just do one camp, do whichever is closest.

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Dexter - Posted - 11/27/2011:  11:17:52

I had an absolute blast at the American Banjo Camp this year and I definitely plan on attending in 2012. I would imagine any banjo camp is a good time.

John Allison - Posted - 11/28/2011:  07:33:19

Midwest Banjo Camp is a good one with a number of attendees from the West coast area including two of the staff (Janet Beazley and Bill Evans). This will be my 7th year (good Lord willing and the creek don't rise).

Joe the banjo guy - Posted - 11/28/2011:  07:36:55

Where is the midwest camp?  I'm in Indiana.  Never been to a camp, but sounds pretty fun.

dmiller - Posted - 11/28/2011:  08:19:36

Click the picture for info on the Midwest Camp in Michigan - - - - > > >

pdquantum - Posted - 11/28/2011:  10:55:50

The only all-banjo Camp I've been to is the NashCamp banjo retreat, which is in October, just outside of Nashville, TN. As an immersion it is excellent in every way, but a long haul for us west-coasters. 

For the past two years I have attended the CBA Music Camp held in Grass Valley, CA just before the Father's Day Bluegrass Festival, and it is extremely well organized. What I like about this camp (in addition to being closer to home) is that you get to chat, jam, and hangout with other musicians beside banjo players...sorry folks....no offense intended. Top notch instructors, great food, and lots of jamming. I plan to go again in 2012. 

mikey5string - Posted - 11/28/2011:  15:52:15

I think it really depends on your level. If youre past beginner or intermediate, i think the $$ would be better spent with 1 on 1 lessons with a good teacher.

I think the social aspect is worth it though, if that is important to you than I would definitely go.

Ive been to several banjo camp norths and the first few were really great in terms of learning new stuff, the later ones were fun to go and jam. Although, the jams are
just way too big IMO. 20 banjos?

If youre new to jamming or banjo in general or want to hang out with other players and see some different banjos I would say go. If you can already play and want to learn more "advanced" stuff, I would recommend a private teacher.

If youve bever been, I guess youll have to go to figure out if its worth it for ya ;)

drew-gurbach - Posted - 11/28/2011:  17:40:49

quote:

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Originally posted by Joe the banjo guy

Where is the midwest camp?  I'm in Indiana.  Never been to a camp, but sounds pretty fun.

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The Midwest BC is in Michigan.  The year I went (2007) it was East Lansing.  Not sure where they're at now, but still in Michigan, I'm sure.  I'll echo what someone else said:   If you're beyond a beginner, spend your money elsewhere.  I didnt get a lot when I went, but I've been playing for 40 years.  Not to say anyone is beyond any learning, because I did come away with a couple new ideas, but for the most part, I enjoyed the social atmosphere and going with an old high school friend.