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Pagosa Folk 'n Bluegrass

JAM CAMP

 

Reservoir Hill Park • 320 Hot Springs Blvd.

Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Pagosa Folk ‘N Bluegrass Jam Camp for Adults is an excellent opportunity for intermediate level pickers to take a big step forward in their bluegrass understanding and pickin’ proficiency.  Built on the idea that playing with and for other musicians is a powerful tool for learning, campers are afforded supported opportunities to study and practice the foundations of bluegrass music on their guitars, fiddles, banjos, basses and mandolins. The camp uses a quick-paced variety of different teaching styles and formats including large group instruction, small like-instrument workshops, one-on-one lessons and a band scramble that is gently coached by each of the staff members.  In the small group ensembles, campers learn to play in balance, build solos, sing harmony and perform in front of a single microphone.   The camp is recommended for intermediate level adult musicians who enjoy playing bluegrass music with other folks.

 

Camp Tuition - $300
Class sizes are limited. Registration will maintain a balance of instruments so that total registrants have a relatively equal number of each of the bluegrass “voices.” Guitar and mandolin spots fill first; do not wait to register if this is your instrument. Camper check-in will take place at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, June 6th (time subject to change upon finalization of daily schedule). Everyone must check in at that time. Refunds are guaranteed through April 15th. After that one MAY be issued if camp spot can be filled.

Instruments
Campers must bring their own instruments to the camp. Instruction provided in guitar, mandolin, fiddle, bass and banjo. Although Dobro players are welcome, there is unfortunately no teacher for that particular instrument at the camp.   

Faculty
FY5 is your host band and instructors for the camp. Mike Finders is a singer/songwriter, guitar picker and professional educator.  He’s been teaching guitar lessons for most of his adult life, and bluegrass jam classes for the last four years. Erin Youngberg has played stand-up bluegrass bass since she was 9 years old, and is a veteran lesson teacher and jam camp instructor. Her husband, Aaron Youngberg is a professional banjo and pedal steel player, guitar and banjo instructor, and recording engineer. He’ll be teaching banjo. Ryan Drickey is a Rockygrass fiddle champion, old-time, jazz and classical player who’s session and sideman work is in high demand from New York to Seattle. Rich Zimmerman on mandolin has been a private instructor as well as band leader for the popular regional band Slipstream.

 

All five members of the band and jam camp staff are not only knowledgeable and experienced bluegrass players, but, more importantly, they are patient and skilled instructors with the humor and grace it takes to help adults have fun and move forward in their pickin’.

Camp Concert
Jam Campers will be performing with their ensembles for the campers, staff and other audience members at approximately 4:30 on Thursday, June 8th.  Friends and family members are welcome to attend the camp concert, but will not be allowed to remain in the festival campground on Thursday night, even if attending the festival. Early festival camping is a privilege reserved only for Jam Campers and their family who accompanied them during camp. 
 

Camping and Lodging
You’ll find lots of lodging options at visitpagosasprings.com -- from cozy cabins to luxurious vacation homes and everything in between. Camping on site is included with your camp tuition, along with a pass for one vehicle per registered jam camper on Reservoir Hill. Meals are not provided, so plan to bring your own provisions or take a quick walk or drive to downtown Pagosa Springs.

 

The campground will open for Jam Campers at 3:00 PM on Monday, June 5th; you must arrive no later than 8:00 PM that night or wait until Tuesday morning. ONE VEHICLE PER REGISTERED JAM CAMPER; NO EXCEPTIONS. All campers must arrive together on the same day. If you are staying for the festival, please purchase your tickets prior to arrival. You will receive your festival wristband(s) and vehicle camping pass upon arriving at camp. If you are NOT staying for the Pagosa Folk 'N Bluegrass festival you will have to vacate the campground immediately following the end of camp concert on Thursday night. 

Family members age 13 and over who are not participating in camp may accompany you at your Reservoir Hill camp site during Jam Camp. Fee is $50 per person for all three nights; limit 2 additional people per registered camper. Dogs and other pets are not permitted on Reservoir Hill during Jam Camp or the music festival. Please note: only cab-over campers, motor homes 24' or less, camper trailers that do not exceed 16' in length and popup or tent trailers of any length are allowed on Reservoir Hill. Fifth wheels and large motorhomes cannot be accommodated in the Reservoir Hill campground.​

FY5 - Camp Instructors

CAMP SCHEDULE

Campers may arrive on Reservoir Hill on Monday, June 5 from 3 to 8 PM or anytime after 9:00 AM Tuesday, June 6. Schedule is approximate and subject to change.

Tuesday, June 6 & Wednesday June 7
Thursday, June 8
If you are not staying and CAMPING for the Pagosa Folk 'N Bluegrass festival, you must leave Reservoir Hill immediately after the camp concert on Thursday

2023 Tickets 

REFUND POLICY: Full refund on or before 3/15/23. After that, refund will be given IF we can fill the spot. 

Thank you to our wonderful Jam Camp Sponsor, Wagon Wheel Liquors!

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