Pagosa Folk 'n Bluegrass
JUNIOR JAM CAMP
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Reservoir Hill Park • 320 Hot Springs Blvd.
Pagosa Springs, Colorado
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Camp Info
Pagosa Folk 'N Bluegrass Junior Jam Camp is open to students ages 7-15. Exceptions MAY be made for younger students who have demonstrated aptitude and experience. This camp is an opportunity to explore traditional music in a supportive environment with qualified instruction alongside peers of similar abilities. Please speak with your children about behavior expectations while at camp. At least one parent, guardian or other responsible adult must be present on campus (Reservoir Hill) during the camp. All students are expected to camp on the festival grounds or in lodging that is close to the campground.
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We do not allow students to use portable electronic devices (tablets, cellphones, hand-held gaming systems, etc.) during camp activities and classes.
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Please make sure you arrive at the registration tent on top of Reservoir Hill no later than 9:00 AM on Tuesday, June 6th, so that we have time to get all the kids checked in before camp starts.
Tuition - $300
There is a $25 discount on tuition for up to 2 additional students per family group. A family group is defined as two related camp participants and their parent(s) or guardian(s).
Tuition includes:
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All regular instruction as described in the schedule below
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A keepsake songbook
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Camping on Reservoir Hill for jam camp student, their non-participating siblings age 12 & under and up to TWO accompanying adults. Camping includes ONE vehicle pass per family group. Please read the camping section below if you are planning to camp on Reservoir Hill for specific info on arrival time, vehicle types allowed, etc.
Class sizes are limited and class/instrument preferences are honored in order of registration. Schedules, song books and other information are given out at registration on the first day of camp. Please be sure to arrive no later than 9:00 AM on Tuesday, June 6th. Parent or guardian must be present for registration.
Meals
Food is not provided; students must bring their own mid-morning snack and a sack lunch to camp each day. Water bottles and recording devices are welcome. Students who are camping on Reservoir Hill may go back to their camp for lunch with parent permission.
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There will be potable water on the site so please send a refillable bottle to camp with your child each day.
Camping/Lodging
All students must be supervised in the campground by a parent or guardian before and after camp each day. This is not a “drop off for the duration” type camp. Reservoir Hill is located within walking distance to downtown Pagosa Springs, and there are 13 miles of hiking and biking trails right on Reservoir Hill to keep the rest of the family occupied during the days. Your vehicle pass will allow you to drive in and out of the campground throughout Jam Camp until 8:00 PM on Thursday evening.
Pets are not allowed on Reservoir Hill during the Jam Camp or festival. Pagosa Springs offers a variety of comfortable and reasonably priced lodging options, from motel rooms to cozy cabins and luxury vacation homes.
The Reservoir Hill campground will open to Jam Campers at 3:00 PM on Monday, June 5th, 2023; you must arrive no later than 8:00 PM that night or wait until Tuesday morning. Camp tuition includes one vehicle pass per family group for Reservoir Hill access from 3:00 PM on Monday, June 5th, until 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 8th.
Each family group may include UP TO two accompanying family members age 13 or over in the campground during Jam Camp. Any additional family members (over the included number) will be charged $25 to camp for the three days and MUST arrive with the family group. We cannot accommodate camping family members who do not initially arrive with their group. There is no additional camping fee for siblings age 12 and under. Each family group will be given one vehicle pass. The vehicle pass is required for all vehicles entering Reservoir Hill at any time during Jam Camp, and must be displayed on all vehicles in the campground. Additional vehicle passes are not available for Jam Camp. 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.​
Jam campers who are not attending the festival, or are attending the festival but not camping on site, must clear off of Reservoir Hill by 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 8th. Families who are staying to camp on Thursday night must have pre-purchased festival tickets and camping and must stay in the same spot until 11:00 AM on Friday, June 9th when, the campground opens to festival attendees.
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Jam campers are not permitted to flag off and save campsites for friends arriving later to the festival.
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Your cooperation with all of these policies will help to ensure the continuation of Jam Camp in future years.
Camp Concert
The end of camp concert will be held at 3:30 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. In other words, early festival camping is only for Jam Camp students and their family group. This was becoming a major issue in the past; please help us keep Junior Jam Camp going by following the rules.
The BASICS:
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Jam Camp is for kids of beginner to intermediate ability levels age 7-15
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Classes are offered in guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, bass and ukulele, plus extras like vocals, songwriting and jamming.
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Jam Camp is a day camp only. Parents and siblings are welcome to camp and play on Reservoir Hill (please see group size restrictions)
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Tuition is $300 for three full days of instruction and fun.
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Camp hours are 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with an end of camp concert at 3:30 on Thursday, June 8.
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Friends and family are welcome to attend the concert but may not camp on Reservoir Hill on Thursday evening even if attending the festival (i.e. no early festival camping permitted for people without a child in camp).
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Camping for Jam Campers opens on Monday, June 5 at 3:00 PM; camper registration starts at 9:00 AM on Tuesday morning.​
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Food is not provided; campers should bring a sack lunch or may return to their campsite.
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No electronic devices allowed during camp hours.
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Pets are not allowed on Reservoir Hill during the Jam Camp or festival.
JUNIOR JAM CAMP
SCHEDULE
First day camper registration begins at 9:00 AM
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Whole Camp Morning Activity
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Lesson Block #1
11:30 AM – 11:45 AM
Morning Break - Campers are welcome to bring a snack to eat
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
Lesson Block #2
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Lunch Break - bring a sack lunch or return to family camp
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Lesson Block #3
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Band Practice
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM - Optional
Fun Activity - family members welcome to participate
*Students must be picked up or in the care of parent, guardian or responsible adults by 4:30 PM each day
Class Descriptions
Class offerings are subject to change depending on makeup of registrants.
Students will take a different class during each lesson block for a total of three classes, plus a band class. Although your student will only be taking three classes, please indicate your top five choices in order of importance when you register. We will make every effort to give each student his or her top three choices for the three lesson blocks. If you have questions about what classes to sign up for, please email us at greggd22@msn.com
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We HIGHLY recommend that your student bring their primary instrument of choice to camp with them. KSUT will have a limited number of loaner instruments but we cannot guarantee availability and there is no rental shop in Pagosa Springs. Special thanks to Brightwood Music in Nederland for providing a few loaner instruments to this year's Junior Jam Camp. We also encourage campers to make their instrument available to others on loan during lesson blocks when they won't be using it. If your child's instrument is expensive or has sentimental value we completely understand opting out.
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Please make sure your child has their instrument(s) in their possession at the end of camp each day. We have had a surprising number of campers who leave their instruments behind in an unsecured tent overnight. KSUT is not responsible for instruments that are damaged or lost due to camper negligence.
There is a place in the registration process (below) to tell us about your child's ability. Some things you may want to share here include: How many years have they been playing, what type of lessons have they done, are they comfortable playing with others, favorite song(s) to play, camp goals, etc.
We highly recommend that students who sign up for an intermediate level class also sign up for a jamming class. One of the great things about being able to play and learn music is to able to play songs with others and our jamming classes encourage that growth in our more advanced students.
Beginning Banjo
No prerequisite. Students must be 10 or older due to the length of the banjo. This class is an introduction to the three-finger style of bluegrass banjo playing. Students will learn basic rolls, chords, and an easy banjo tune
Beginning Bass
No prerequisite. Students will learn how a bass fits into a jam or band. They will learn 4-5 chords and how to back up a guitar on some simple singing songs.
Beginning Bass
No prerequisite. Students will learn how a bass fits into a jam or band. They will learn 4-5 chords and how to back up a guitar on some simple singing songs.
Beginning Fiddle
No prerequisite. This class is geared toward students who have no or very little background in playing fiddle or violin. Students will learn how to correctly hold and bow the instrument as well as a few basic fiddle tunes.
Beginning Guitar
No prerequisite. Students will learn 4-5 basic guitar chords, how to strum with a pick, and a few basic bluegrass and folk songs.
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Beginning Mandolin
No prerequisite. This class will teach students the basics of how to hold and play the mandolin. They will learn a few easy mandolin chords, some bluegrass tunes, and mandolin rhythm.
Beginning Ukulele
No prerequisite. Students will learn basic chords on the ukulele, how to strum and tune the instrument, and a few songs
Intermediate Banjo
Students will begin to improve on rolls and increase their repertoire of rolls and chords used in bluegrass tunes. This class will teach how to read tab as well as teach students 3-4 basic bluegrass tunes on banjo.
Intermediate Bass
Students should have been taking lessons in orchestra or otherwise for at least 6 months. Students will learn chords to back up a guitar, as well as scales, patterns for following new chords, new songs, and how to “walk” bass lines
Intermediate Fiddle
Students should have been taking fiddle for one year or be in Suzuki Book 1, and/or know songs like Buffalo Gals, Old Joe Clark, Cripple Creek, Angeline the Baker, or Camptown Races. In this class, students will work on becoming stronger players and learn a few basic fiddle tunes in first position.
Band
Everyone will participate in a band class during the third block. This is a chance to work up a song with your peers to play during the camp concert. We try to put students of similar age and ability levels together. Band class includes everything from stage presence. singing and taking solos, to playing rhythm. Everyone is automatically put into a band, so you don’t need to worry about signing up for it; we will take care of putting you into a band.
Songwriting
This class is geared for our older and/or more experienced students. Students must at least be at an intermediate level in their instrument, or be 11 years old. This class will learn the art of to how to write songs, from instrumentation to lyrics.
Youth Vocals
No prerequisite. Students will learn fun singing songs to sing with a group, a guitar, or by yourself
Intermediate Guitar
This class is geared towards students that can play several chords comfortably and the boom strum rhythm. Students will begin to flatpick, along with strengthening their chord and rhythm knowledge.
Teen Vocals
Ages 12 and up. This class is geared for older students, who will work on harmonizing and the finer techniques of singing, while building their repertoire. You don’t need to have any singing experience to take this class.
Intermediate Mandolin
Students should be quite comfortable playing 2 finger chords. They should also be able to play a few basic tunes like Boil Em Cabbages, Shortenin’ Bread, Old Joe Clark, Cripple Creek, or Angeline the Baker. Students will learn how to play closed finger chords, work on their rhythm, and lead on a few new fiddle/mandolin tunes.
Beginning Jamming
Students must have a basic understanding of their instrument, and be able to play 1-2 tunes like Boil Em Cabbages, Old Joe Clark, Cripple Creek, Shortnin’ Bread, Buffalo Gals, Camptown Races, or similar songs OR be able to play 3-4 chords and rhythm. Students will learn how to jam with their peers by learning basic jamming tunes, the different elements of a jam, and jamming etiquette.
Intermediate Jamming
Students must be signed up for an Intermediate or Advanced class in the instrument of their choice, or be an older student (12 and up). Students must have a basic understanding of their instrument and be able to play 4-5 tunes like Soldier’s Joy, Arkansas Traveler, Turkey in the Straw, Over the Waterfall, Liberty, or similar songs OR be able to play the 5 major chords, and 2-3 seven chords and minor chords. Students will continue to increase their jam tune repertoire, and begin to take leads in singing songs.
Register Here
Questions? Call 970.563.5788
REFUND POLICY: Full refund on or before 3/15/23. After that, refund will be given IF we can fill the spot.