Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

What ages may attend?

Arrowbear offers sessions for instrumentalists from those entering 4th grade to out of high shool. These are divided into three sessions: Elementary is for those entering 4th - 6th; Intermediate for those entering 6th - 8th and advanced for those entering 9th and older. Our Choral and Jazz Improvisation sessions are for musicicans entering 10th and older.

Do you teach beginning players?

Our Elementary session is designed to deal with young players at all experience levels, but we do not start children on instruments. All campers are expected to have some previuos experience on their instrument.

How many campers are in each session?

Session enrollment varies from session to session and summer to summer. The number of campers is usually between 90 and 120 with extreme sessions as small as 60 and as big as 150.

Can my child attend more than one session?

Yes.

Can I pay by credit card?

We do not accept credit cards at this time.

Do you have a family discount?

Yes. Enroll the first child with a deposit or early full payment and send additional siblings to sessions of equal or less cost without a deposit and 20% off of the full price.

Who are the conductors?

Our conducting staff is drawn from well known local and national educators. The staff are typically active with honor groups and in professional organizations. See session information elsewhere on the site for an up-to-date list of this summer's expected music staff.

Besides music what activities are there?

Each day campers have opportunities for afternoon recreation including volleyball, ping pong, hiking, swimming in the pool, crafts, and more. Each evening features a full camp activity aimed at fun and group building. Each night ends with a campfire.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you cancel more than 4 weeks before your session you will receive a full refund minus a $30 administration fee. If you cancel less than 4 weeks before the session begins you will receive all but 20% of the total cost except in cases of emergency.

Do you provide transportation to the camp?

Transportation is not provided., but camp may be able to help families connect with others nearby in order to arrange carpools.

What are the sleeping accommodations like?

The separate sleeping areas each consist of a barracks style dorm with bathrooms, an open-air cabin and a tarp-roofed porch. The closeness and arrangement of the living quarters add to the "one big family" group experience.

Can I arrange to be in the same cabin as my friend?

Bunks and cabins are chosen as campers arrive. Arrival times are assigned in order of enrollment. Returning campers should be aware that depending on enrollment all cabins in each area are not used at all sessions.

What will the weather be like?

General summer weather in the mountains is warm sunny days and cool nights. Sometimes the nights can be very cold and the mountains also can receive local thunder storms.

What kind of clothes should I bring?

Campers should bring clothes for the warm days and cool nights including being prepared with a cold-weather jacket .Those wishing to swim should bring a bathing suit. The camp site is hilly and uneven, and some activities take campers onto dirt trails and nearby rocks, so campers should bring good walking shoes.

Do you have laundry facilities?

There is one washing machine in each of the sleeping areas. Clothes are hung to dry.

Who are the counselors?

The counselors are largely drawn from camp alumni and college students. Most are musicians themselves.

Do you have a nurse?

Each session includes a full-time staff member to oversee the medical and first-aid needs of our campers and staff. These staff members are fully qualified in accordance with State and County regulations.

Do you serve vegetarian food?

Our camp menu is very accommodating of various dietary needs including our vegetarian and vegan campers and staff. Campers with other special diets such as kosher may bring some of their own specialized foods and can be given space to store those foods as appropriate.

Can you send me the music ahead of time so that I can practice?

Our conductors use the rehearsal process in part to establish what pieces of repertoire are a best fit for the performing groups' growth, development, and product. For this reason, the pieces to be performed are not determined ahead of the session and music cannot be mailed in advance.

Do you have a plan in case of emergency?

A thorough emergency plan is in place in accordance with state and county requirements. Each session the plan is reviewed with staff and campers are informed about camp emergency procedures.

How do you handle homesick campers?

Our counseling and medical staff are sensitive to the homesickness of campers. Primarily we work to connect the camper with friends and keep them involved in camp activities.

Can a camper call or e-mail home?

Campers do not have access to phones or e-mail except for emergency purposes. In order to support the immersiveness of the camp experience we request that parents not call requesting calls home from their children.

Can I send a cell phone to camp with my child?

For several years we have been attempting to maintain our traditional camp "away from home" experience by asking for no phones while here. Support for this policy has been quite limited. This year we are going to expect that all cell phones that are brought to camp be kept in a central building and only used during breakfast (7:15-8:00) and afternoon recreation time (1:00-3:15). It seems that bedtime talk frequently supports homesickness.

How do I know if you accepted my enrollment?

You will receive a confirmation postcard in the mail as soon as we process your paperwork.

When will I receive detailed information about my session?

A letter with information on check-in time, what to bring, a map to camp, a medical form, and other camp information will be mailed 2 weeks before your session.

Where can I find the Arrowbear song lyrics?

You can find them here »