Old School Bluegrass Camp 2025
July 2-6, Old School Campgrounds - Lanark, Ontario
INSTRUCTORS & staff
Bluegrass Banjo Instructor
Guitar Instructor
Clawhammer Banjo Instructor
Songwriting Instructor
Mandolin Instructor
Fiddle Instructor
Bass Instructor
Site Supervisor & Chef
Camp Director
Old School Camps are your home for life-long learning and musical inspiration. It’s summer camp for grownups!
Old School Camp creates community, gets you out of your comfort zone, helps you find your groove, find your people, expand your horizons and re-claim joy in your life. All while sharing, playing and listening to the best music around!
Old School Camps take place in the beautiful Lanark Highlands of eastern Ontario. Hosted at the home of camp directors and owners Jenny Whiteley and Joey Wright.
Whether you’ve been playing all your life or you’re new to the joys of creating your own music, you’ll find exciting opportunities to play with others at camp and get hands-on experience: in your band labs (that’s right, you’re starting a band!), at the nightly jams, impromptu sessions around the apple tree, slow-jams, song circles and your daily instrument classes.
You’ll learn techniques from incredible teachers, enjoy fun and informative workshops, gather up a fresh batch of inspiration and find your people – life-long learners and creatives! Plus, there’s an amazing concert, just for you, every night!
Camp Registration
Camper
$925+HST
Fee includes all group programming, camping, private lessons, band lab, instrument class, jams, concerts, and meals.
Companion
$350+HST
Must register with a Camper, may attend all group programming, jams, concerts, meals (*no band labs, instrument class, or private lessons)
Alumni
$350+HST
Attending independently, Alumni may attend all group programming, jams, concerts, meals (*no band labs, instrument class)
Camping Options
Campers are free to bring RVs, trailers, sleep in their vehicles, or sleep in their tent!
Rent a tent from us that will be all set up for you when you arrive. Includes a real bed with mattress, clean warm bedding and pillows, side table, chair and battery powered lighting. Limited availability.
Rental Fee: $345 +HST
Rental Fee: $395 +HST
What's included in my camp fee?
We like to keep it simple here at Old School, your fee covers everything for you at camp.
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All workshops, band labs, instrument classes, private lessons, and activities
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Evening performances, fireside sessions, concerts and jams with instructors nightly
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Luthier Luke Mercier is onsite for small repairs and instrument tune-ups
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Campers and RVs are welcome, no hookups available
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Airy, clean, private washroom facilities
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Hot showers
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Potable well water
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All your meals are made fresh on-site by our Chef
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Secure instrument storage
wHERE IS CAMP
Old School Camps are held in the beautiful Lanark Highlands of eastern Ontario, in the hamlet of Elphin. Camp owners and directors Jenny Whiteley and Joey Wright are pleased to welcome you to their home, a century farm house surrounded by acres of rolling farmland, maple sugarbush, where you’ll be camping and learning.
Elphin is 3.5 hours from Toronto, 3.5 hours from Montreal, 1 hour from Kingston, Ontario, and just over an hour from Ottawa! The address and location will be emailed to you including directions after registration.
Ride-sharing can be facilitated, including pick-up from airports, train stations and bus terminals if needed. Send us a note with questions. Parking is adjacent to the camping area on-site.
When is camp?
Old School Summer Camp is always the first weekend of July (starting on Wednesday). Exact arrival times are emailed to registered campers.
What’s a typical day at Old School Bluegrass Camp like?
8:00am – Early Bird Coffee Time
9:00am – Breakfast
10:00am – Hands-On Instrument Class (with 10 students maximum)
11:30am – Workshop (eg: Stage Fright Bootcamp- bring your instruments!)
12:30pm – Lunch (sign up for open mic)
2:00pm – Band Lab (working with instructor to learn, arrange and perform your new repertoire with your group!)
3:30pm – Free Time
4:30pm – Workshop (Three-Chord-Wonders – bring your instrument!)
6:00pm – Dinner
7:30pm – Instructor Concert on Sunset Stage
8:30pm – Slow Jam in the Pavilion
10:00pm – Fireside Jam Sessions
Previous summer camp sessions
Old School Bluegrass Camp 2024
July 3-7th, Old School Campgrounds - Lanark, Ontario
INSTRUCTORS & staff
