Photo by George Martin
How do I get to camp?
The Nevada County Fairgrounds are located at 11228 McCourtney Road, near the intersection of Hwy 49 and Hwy 20, in Grass Valley, CA. For directions and maps, see the fairgrounds website: www.nevadacountyfair.com/
Can I bring my family and pets?
Family, yes, though if they're not signed up for music camp, they should not attend classes. They may come to the evening events. All adults need to pay for a camping permit if you’re camping, and meal tickets are available for family members; just let us know who’s coming with you and what they’ll need, and include the appropriate amount in your registration fees.
New as of last year: we're offering a special class for children of campers who are not yet ready for camp, but interested in music. This class meets in the mornings from 9 a.m. to noon only, and will be taught by Kathleen Rushing, Children's Music Specialist, with help from Bob Schwartz, parent of a young participant who had a great time at last year’s camp, and special guests that might drop by! Students will have a chance to interact with instruments and learn about each of the main bluegrass/oldtime instruments. They will participate in fun, interactive music experiences; singing, dancing, performance, crafts, recording, musical drama, games and a great snack each day.
Cost will be $50 per child, scholarships are available for those who need them. Class size will be limited, so if you have an interested child, you're advised to sign up early. The class is intended for children who have at least one parent or sibling enrolled in the CBA Music Camp--others may be admitted only if there is still space after camp is full.
Pets—Pets, NO. Pets are not allowed anywhere on the fairgrounds, please leave them home, or at any of several nearby kennels (the closest one, recommended by a CBA pet owner, is The Kennels at 530-272-4670).
How early can I arrive?
You can arrive whenever you want—registration begins at noon on Sunday. We'll try to have someone at the gate to greet you from 10:00 on.
What do I need to bring to camp?
Clothing for hot days, warm or cool nights--be sure to include hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. We say this, though we occasionally have an unseasonably cool year, which requires a whole different wardrobe, so check the weather forecast (for Grass Valley, CA), but usually it's nice.
If you’re tent camping, bring camping supplies! (tent, sleeping bag, etc) All you are supplied with is a space to camp, and access to water and bathrooms. There are no picnic tables at the sites, or BBQs, or anything like that, just some pine trees and a level space. So a camp table will be helpful, and a camp stool for jamming is nice. Also, please bring a comfortable chair for the evening concerts—we will have some seating available, but we rely on most of you to bring your own chairs (lowback is best). To help conserve resources, bring a travel mug for drinks, and a water bottle.
For classes, a notebook and pen, battery-powered recording device, and extra batteries are very helpful; extra strings, capo, etc. for your instrument; a tuner; a cushion for your chair is nice. If you have a large or heavy instrument, you may want to consider bringing a wheeled carrier for making travel to classes easier. Lightweight, easy-carry gig bags are good for the same reason. Bring a yoga mat if you have one and want to attend the yoga classes. And don't forget your dancing shoes!
Is vegetarian food available?
Yes. You can sign up for vegetarian or omnivore meals. If you need to know details about what will be served, contact us and we can send you a sample menu.
What if I want some veggie and some meat meals?
You have to sign up for one or the other. BUT, at the end of the meal, after everyone has been served, it's OK to go through the line again to sample the veggie food if you signed up as an omnivore, or vice versa, if there's extra left. "After everyone has been served" are the key words here, like wait at least 45 minutes after meal time began.
Are there hook-ups for RV's?
Full hook-ups are sold by a lottery system and are already sold out. But there are some spaces with guaranteed electrical hook-ups—for availability, contact the festival ticket salesperson, John Erwin, at john.erwin@sbcglobal.net or 707-448-1970.
Can I come for (and pay for) just part of the camp?
Generally no, but depending on what part you’re interested in, sometimes we make exceptions—call if you want to discuss it.
Can I attend instrumental classes for more than one instrument?
No, sorry. For two reasons--one, to ensure that class sizes don't get too big; and two, because often a teacher will build each day on what was worked on the previous day, so continuity is important. However, during the jams, elective classes, and office hours you can participate with any instrument you want, and work with any instructor you want.
I signed up for camp but never heard if I made it into my class. Am I registered?
Don’t assume you’re registered for camp unless you received confirmation. All applicants are contacted when they sign up, by e-mail or by phone—if you don’t hear from us, there was a communications failure and you should get in touch to find out if you’re registered or on a waiting list. All registered campers receive confirmation (by e-mail, or snail mail if you have no e-mail) which includes information about what to bring to camp, how to get there, etc.
Where do I get information about local motels and restaurants?
The Nevada County Chamber of Commerce! www.gvncchamber.org or call 530-273-4667.
Can I split camping costs with a friend if we camp together?
No, unless you're in an RV. The tent-camping cost is a special low rate, based on a per person fee. But there's no camping fee for any children (under 18) you bring.
Can I just pay tuition now, and pay for meals and/or camping later?
Yes, if that makes things easier for you, it’s OK, but please let us know if you may be adding these options on later, so we know what to expect. It’s easiest for us if you pay for everything as far in advance as possible. And we can’t guarantee meal availability after June 1st.
Can I sign up by phone and/or pay with a credit card?
You can't sign up by phone, but you can access an on line registration form from our home page, and sign up with your credit card that way. Some people have trouble with this system--if you have problems, call 415-663-1342 and we'll try to help you, or just mail in registration instead. Your place in line to get into a class is held by when you sign up OR mail in registration, not by when we receive it--in other words, if there's one space left in a class, you mail in registration on Monday, someone else signs up on line Tuesday, we get your registration Wednesday--you get the spot in the class. We go by the postmark versus time sent on line, and for this reason, there's also no need to overnight or express mail your registration. There are fees for signing up with your credit card: about $1 for every $30 total, which adds up to a substantail fee--for this reason, you may prefer to pay by check.
I want to sign up for camp now, but don't have all the money together yet. Will you take a deposit?
Yes, call and we can make special arrangements if you need to.
415-663-1342.
I want to sign up for camp, but I may have to cancel.
What's your refund policy?
If we can fill your spot with another student—usually we can, unless you cancel at the last minute—we'll refund your payment. Even if you cancel at the last minute, we'll refund it if we can—we understand that sometimes stuff happens. There’s no cancellation fee—all we ask is that you consider donating a portion of your refund (any amount) to next year's scholarship fund, to make up for the inconvenience.
I want to come, but can’t afford it. How do I get a scholarship?
There are two types of scholarships available: full scholarships, which cover full tuition and in some cases also meals and camping; and partial scholarships.
Most of our scholarships are partial scholarships—you cover costs of meals and camping, and pay as much as you can towards tuition, and we cover the rest. To apply for a partial scholarship, fill out a registration form, entering the amount you can pay towards tuition, and mail it in, with a check for that amount, and also write a brief letter explaining your situation and requesting the scholarship. If you’re really broke, some complimentary meal tickets may be available; you can also bring and cook your own food.
We also have a few full scholarships available. These are intended for low-income young people who are very devoted to playing bluegrass and/or old time music. If this sounds like you, your child, or someone you know, please call 415-663-1342 to apply.
Scholarship recipients, or their parents, are requested to help out at camp with a camp chore or two (there are many to choose from!)
The scholarship program is made possible through the donations of generous CBA members and other music campers who pay a little extra to help fund it. We are extremely grateful to them.
