- Summer Camp Grades 5-12
- Life at Blue Lake
- Blue Lake Days
- Blue Lake Sundays
- Cabin Life
- Connecting with Home
- The Campus
- The Uniform
- Arts Programs
- Majors
- Camp Bernstein
- Art
- Band
- Choir
- Creative Writing
- Dance
- Harp
- Jazz
- Orchestra
- Piano
- Theater
- Minors
- Majors
- Scholarships
- Tuition, Fees, and Policies
- Tuition and Fees
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Camper Citizenship
- Housing Policy
- Phones and Calling Home
- Visiting Campers
- Transportation Assistance
- Apply to Camp
- My Account
2024 Sessions
Session 1:
June 26 – July 7
Grades 9 – 12 (Central Camp)
Grades 7 – 8 (Camp Bernstein)
Session 2:
July 10 – July 21
Grades 9 – 12 (Central Camp)
Grades 7 – 8 (Camp Bernstein)
Session 3:
July 24 – Aug. 4
Grades 7 – 9 (Central Camp)
Grades 5 – 7 (Camp Bernstein)
Session 4:
Aug. 7 – Aug. 18
Grades 7 – 9 (Central Camp)
Grades 5 – 7 (Camp Bernstein)
- Tuition and Fees
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Camper Citizenship
- Housing Policy
- Phones and Calling Home
- Visiting Campers
The basic fee per two week session differs slightly per major, based upon the specific costs associated with each program, such as student/teacher ratios, materials, equipment, and services. The fee includes instruction, room, and meals. Campers are admitted without charge to all camp events. There is an additional fee to add a minor for Central Camp students. Other camp expenses include: uniform costs and a small amount of money for incidentals.
| 2024 Tuition | |
|---|---|
Art, Dance | $1,830 |
Theater, Harp, Piano | $1,875 |
Choir, Creative Writing | $1,780 |
Band, Orchestra, Jazz | $1,730 |
Camp Bernstein | $1,805 |
Optional Minor Class (Central Camp only) | $99 |
All applications must include payment authorization for a $295 non-refundable deposit, which is applied to the total camp fee. The balance must be paid 30 days prior to the first day of the session. | |
| Other Expenses | |
|---|---|
Uniform Polo (campers need 2-3) | $25/ea |
Uniform Sweater (campers need 1) | $35/ea |
Store Account money for incidentals. A few dollars a day will allow campers to buy snacks at the camp store. You may wish to add additional funds for souvenir merchandise. | varies |
| Early Arrival, Late departure, staying between sessions | |
|---|---|
Blue Lake strongly discourages campers from arriving a day early for their camp session. However, if necessary, students may not arrive earlier than 9:00am on Tuesday before their scheduled session (for sessions 2, 3, or 4); and not earlier than 6:00pm on Tuesday before Session 1. Uniforms will not be available until Opening Wednesday. | |
If you are unable to pick your camper up before 4:00pm on Final Sunday, you may arrange to pick them up later that evening or the next day. All late departure campers must be picked up by 5:00pm on Monday. | |
All campers arriving early or departing late must pay a daily fee, or any portion thereof, for all meals, supervision, and activities. This fee will be added to the registration. | |
Campers who enroll in two consecutive sessions have the option of leaving with a parent/guardian or staying on camp in between the sessions. Campers opting to stay on camp are subject to a fee for meals, supervision, activities, and accommodations. | |
To register for an additional session, visitMy Account. For more information, contact Admissions at800-221-3796. | |
Early Arrival | $100 |
Late Departure | $100 |
Staying over between sessions | $180 |
Transportation Assistance | varies |
| Refund policy | |
|---|---|
Families are strongly encouraged to purchase camp insurance as a means of protecting your investment. Comprehensive benefits include coverage for camper cancelations due to illness, injury, family emergencies, or other qualifying unforeseen circ*mstances. You will have the opportunity to select this insurance as you complete your camp reservation. Insurance is provided by Travel Insured International via UltraCamp (our registration platform), and more information is available here:https://www.travelinsured.com/ultracamp/. Refunds are processed by the business office within 45 days of written notice to the Admissions Registrar atadmissions@bluelake.org. | |
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Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp is a small non-profit organization which is funded primarily through earned income from camp tuition. Because our organization sustains significant administrative costs associated with managing operations, we wish to provide opportunities for those who are invested in supporting the mission and longevity of the camp. If you are in a position to donate any portion of your refund-eligible tuition to our organization, you can help to support our ability to meet year-round operating costs, maintain our scholarship funds, and ensure the future of our programs. Donations are considered tax-deductible. Please contact the Development Office atdevelopment@bluelake.orgfor more information. | |
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp aims to inspire young artists to achieve their best potential, both artistically and personally.We, therefore, strive to recognize the unique spirit of each student and eliminate barriers that hinder an individual’s growth potential. When students attend Blue Lake, they can be themselves – free of judgment, criticism, or fear.
Our campus environment is designed to eliminate racial, religious, sexual, and cultural stereotypes and to foster positive intercultural relationships. Blue Lake does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, age, gender, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, mental or physical ability, or gender expression or identity in the administration of its programs, policies, accommodations, and tuition assistance.
Citizenship
Students should arrive at Blue Lake eager to learn, make new friends, and have a great time. The staff strives to create a sense of community among students through the cabin environment, unit activities, and daily camp life. Campers are expected to focus on their art by working hard during their classes, and to be kind, considerate, and respectful toward others. Campers are required to follow all camp rules, which are designed to reflect basic expectations of good citizenship that positively contribute to an inclusive community environment.
Camper Pledge
Campers are expected to accept and conform to all regulations of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and must sign the Camper Pledge upon their arrival at camp. Parents are expected to review the Camper Pledge with campers ahead of time and ensure their understanding of Blue Lake’s policies.
‘As a camper of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, I agree to abide by camp regulations and to cooperate with camp authorities in furthering its ideals. I agree not to use or possess tobacco, vaping products, alcoholic beverages or unauthorized drugs, not to deface camp property, not to participate in bullying, hazing, threats, or violence, not to endanger the safety of myself or others, nor to go out of bounds without permission. I understand that if I violate any camp regulations, I jeopardize my good standing with Blue Lake, my parents will be notified, and I may be expelled immediately from camp.’
Housing Policy
Blue Lake is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all students at camp, and we view our housing policy as part of our broader efforts toward inclusion. While traditional binary (male or female) cabins are appropriate for the majority of participants, this housing does not meet the needs of some students. Gender inclusive housing options allow students who identify as gender-fluid, gender-diverse, and similar the ability to choose the best option for them. Through gender-inclusive housing practices, we aim to provide an environment where all students feel comfortable in their accommodations.
We recognize that some parents, guardians, and students may have questions about how this policy is implemented. For more information, contact the Director of Student Services or Admissions — we would be happy to discuss housing options to determine the best placement for your student.
Housing Assignments
Housing is assigned by gender and grade level. Some consideration is also given to grouping campers by arts focus, although students should expect to be housed with others studying a variety of disciplines. Students indicate their housing selection during the online application process. Housing assignments will be provided just prior to the camp session. While all areas within the housing unit are considered inclusive, your student’s specific cabin assignment will be based upon your preference:
Housing Selections
Single gender cabinsare open to campers assigned male or female at birth. This option is best described as a traditional binary (birth sex male or female) camper cabin.
Gender-inclusive single gender cabinsare open to campers who identify as that gender regardless of sex assigned at birth, as well as campers who feel comfortable in a gender-inclusive living space.
All-gender cabin groupprovides a gender-inclusive housing option intended to be a safe, inclusive, and supportive community for students of all gender identities and expressions. This option supports students who identify as gender non-conforming, non-binary, transgender, or gender-fluid, and places students with cabin mates and counselors of any gender.
Cabin Mates
Those wishing to request a cabin mate may do so during the application process. Campers who wish to be housed together must apply to camp within the same timeframe, and request each other as cabin mates. Cabin mate applications must be submittedwithin72 hours of each other in order to be considered. An attempted will be made to house students together but requests are not guaranteed. You may request only one cabin mate. Notification of your housing assignment will be sent with final instructions prior to camp.
For Housing FAQs, visit our FAQ page.
Phones
A part of Blue Lake’s philosophy centers on allowing a camper to focus — without outside distraction — on their own growth and self-improvement, whether artistic or personal. In fact, this is a long-standing tradition within many American residential youth camps. Independence cannot flourish, but homesickness certainly will, with constant communication from home. Therefore, Blue Lake does not permit students to use landlines or personal cell phones while at camp. Campers should plan to leave their phones and other cellular devices with parents/guardians upon check-in, and families are expected to fully support this camp policy.
Communicating with Home
The camp staff will contact parents with questions or concerns, and parents are welcome to call the camp to communicate with administration, staff, health lodge, and campers as deemed necessary. Please note that phone calls often cause disruption in a camper’s day, whether logistically or otherwise, and therefore staff may suggest better times within the schedule for calls to limit disruption of the camper’s experience.
Because part of the camp experience is learning independence, we strongly discourage visits during the session. While at Blue Lake, students spend their time in various scheduled and supervised activities. Participating fully in these activities, whether instructional classes, recreation, evening events, time with friends, or meals with cabin mates, is what makes the camp experience complete. Students have the opportunity to learn and grow as individuals, and the time away from family fosters independence in a well-structured educational setting. If family circ*mstances dictate that visiting is absolutely necessary, we require that it be limited to the middle Sunday, in conjunction with our camp schedule. Visitors are limited to immediately family designated in your student’s account.
