June's Bluegrass and Banjo Camp coming into focus

Plans are firming up for the 2023 Idaho Bluegrass and Banjo Camp set for June 8-11 at the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest and Festival’s home base at historic Slocum Hall. A number of half-tuition youth scholarships are still available to students 18 years old or younger.

 The scholarships are awarded based on a combination of the student’s demonstrated interest and financial need. Interested students may apply by email to idahobluegrasscamp@gmail.com requesting a camp scholarship.

 Moved from mid-May to the June slot, there is room for up to 150 students at this summer’s camp. With the new dates, Weiser High School has offered classroom space to support the camp. As many as 10 classes will be taught at the same time, with classrooms at both Slocum Hall and WHS.

 There are four banjo instructors, and two instructors in each for fiddle, guitar, and mandolin. Bios on each of the 2023 instructors can be found at the website idahobluegrasscamp.org.

 Lunch and snacks are included in the camp’s tuition, with Weiser’s “Cook Shack on 7th” secured for catering the camp this year. In addition, the Cook Shack will cater barbecue dinners on both Friday and Saturday nights, at a separate cost. In a fundraising drive at the Weiser Activity Center for Seniors, breakfasts will also be available on both Friday and Saturday mornings.

 Campsites will be available for trailers, tents, and campers, either with or without electricity. Reservations for campsites will open in mid-March at the idahobluegrasscamp.org website.

Volunteer opportunities

 A non-profit organization, Idaho Bluegrass and Banjo Camp strives to attract nationally renowned instructors, and to keep the cost for students as low as possible, all support positions are staffed by volunteers. Areas of service include set-up, clean-up, greeting students, serving snacks at breaks, and more. In exchange, the volunteers will find themselves in the company of musicians from a variety of backgrounds, levels of musical expertise, and geographic areas. Interested volunteers are asked to email idahobluegrasscamp@gmail.com.