Bluegrass Day Camp for Kids
July 15, 16, 17 • 10:00AM - 3:00PM
Tuition:
$150 'Early Bird' per student
$175 after June 17 per student
Financial Aid Scholarships available. Please contact us for more info: 
​development@bigtop.org 715-373-5520
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Youngsters - join us at the Tent for 3 days of pickin' and grinnin' with stars of the Blue Canvas Orchestra! We will explore the rich music and singing traditions of Bluegrass and Southern Appalachian culture in a variety of classes taught by professional performing / recording musicians who are acknowledged experts in their field. Geared toward youth ages 7-17, Camp will cover lessons on guitar, banjo, fiddle, bass, and mandolin, as well as singing and playing in a group. Both individual and group participation will be part of this experience, with fun for everyone at all levels from total beginner through advanced. You'll even get to form your own band!
Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to learn from the Pros!

Welcome to Big Top's Bluegrass Day Camp

You can register for the camp online HERE. Once we receive your registration, we will send you information regarding payment. If you would like to apply for a scholarship to help pay the registration fee for the Bluegrass Day Camp, fill out the scholarship form HERE. We want to be sure that every student can afford to attend the camp. You will receive an answer to your scholarship request within one week of submission. Call 715-373-5552 if you have any questions on scholarships. 

Course Offerings

Each student should choose the one instrument they would like to study, plus two other alternatives. We will make every effort to get you into the class you request.
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All students will also participate in a "band jam" class where everyone comes together to work up songs with their fellow campers. On the third day of camp, campers will perform together for friends and family.

Each student should select their top choice, and two alternatives.
  • BANJO 1, 2, 3 (Beginner to Advanced)
  • BASS 1, 2, 3 (Beginner to Advanced)
  • FIDDLE 1, 2, 3, 4 (Beginner to Master Class)
  • GUITAR 1, 2, 3, 4 (Beginner to Master Class)
  • MANDOLIN 1, 2, 3, 4 (Beginner to Master Class)
  • SINGING (No training necessary) 
  • SONGWRITING (all levels) 

A Typical Day at Camp

  • 9:30   Fill out on site registration materials (first day of camp only)
  • 10:00   Morning Activity
  • 10:30   Lesson 1
  • 11:15   Break & snacks
  • 11:30   Lesson 2
  • 12:15   Lunch (bring your own bag lunch and beverage)
  • 12:45   Hootenanny Band Lesson
  •  1:45   Lesson 3
  •  2:30   Afternoon Activity
  •  3:00   End Time (except the last day, when students perform at 3:00 for parents and friends)
Our morning activity involves the whole camp and will be something fun and easy to get the blood moving and the brain functioning. Could be a sing-a-long, a jam session, or other activities. The Hootenanny Band Lesson breaks the group up into smaller bands, where groups work on the number(s) they will perform on the final day. The culmination of the camp is a Camp Concert, where each band performs for families and friends.
Camp Leader Tom Draughon has been performing professionally since 1975. He has performed onstage with Tom Paxton, John McCutcheon and many others, appeared on "A Prairie Home Companion", "Edinburgh Folk Festival", and is a recording musician on over 26 albums. Two of his favorite music genres are Old Time Appalachian and Bluegrass, which he has been studying and playing since 1972.

Additional instructors will include members of our own Blue Canvas Orchestra. These performers and recording artists are well-known to fans of Big Top's original productions

Frequently Asked Questions:

What ability level should I sign up for?
Guess your best on the class level. The instructor will be able to tell what instruction you need to progress. If the class is too easy, we will advance you to the correct level. There will be some opportunity for individual instruction within the course of the day as well.
Do I need to have my own instrument?
We encourage everyone to have their own instrument, and to bring extra instruments if you have any to share. We will have additional instruments on site as loaners if you don't have your own instrument. Some instruments may need to be shared amongst the students in a particular class.
I don't own an instrument? Can I borrow one? Should I rent one?
Understandably, many children may not have those instruments readily at hand.  We will do our best to find an instrument for your child's use during camp.
I have an instrument I can loan when I'm not using it.
Great! If you have an instrument someone can use when you are not using it, please let us know on your form, and also when you arrive at camp, and we will write that on your Instrument Tag.  Thank you for offering to lend your instrument
Are there additional materials given to students?
Camp Leader Tom Draughon has created a songbook for each student that you will be able to keep. It includes bluegrass and folk tunes appropriate for levels from beginning to advanced. It may be helpful for each student to bring a recording device if you have one to record lessons and performances.
How much does it cost to attend Bluegrass Day Camp?
If you sign up before June 17, the full camp costs $150. After June 17 the camp costs $175. Scholarships are available to help where needed. Online scholarship application available HERE.
How does the drop-off/pick-up process work?
If a parent would like to sign their child out, they must inform Camp Leader Tom Draughon on the first day of camp at registration. You will then need to sign the child out each day. We do NOT require a sign-in for the morning, nor a sign out at the end of the day if we are not instructed at registration to do so. If you would like to call in a student absent before or during camp, please contact Tom at our backstage phone: 715-779-9701.
What about the concert on the last day?
At 3:00 on Wednesday, July 17, all of the students from the camp will give a mini-performance for parents and friends on the Big Top stage.
​Any other questions?
Please contact Big Top Chautauqua at bluegrasscamp@bigtop.org or 715-373-5552.