CAMP LIFE

For decades, the UNCG Summer Music Camp has been the largest university-sponsored music camp in America—offering exceptional musical experiences at an affordable cost. Our greatest strength is our staff: over 170 dedicated musicians and educators, many with advanced degrees and national or international recognition. Their expertise ensures every camper receives top-quality instruction and inspiration.

Housing & Meals

Housing & Dining

Overnight campers stay in air-conditioned UNCG residence halls and enjoy all meals in the University Dining Hall. Campers should bring their own sheets, towels, and pillow. Rooms are typically shared by two students; those without a preferred roommate will be paired with someone close in age. Please note: housing is not provided Friday night after camp ends.

Meals begin with Sunday dinner and end with Friday dinner—16 in total—served in a food court-style dining hall offering a wide variety of options, including accommodations for special dietary needs.

Supervision

More than 80 counselors live in the residence halls and provide attentive supervision throughout the week, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all campers.

Health Care

Your child’s well-being is our top priority. In the event of illness or injury, campers are escorted to the Summer Music Camp Nurse for prompt, professional care. We employ three to four RNs during each camp session, stationed in the dorms daily from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Every camper must complete a Medical History & Permission for Treatment Form, available on our website. This form is kept on file with the nurse’s office and accompanies any student requiring outside medical attention.

Minor injuries are reported to parents immediately. If a nurse determines that a camper needs to see a physician or visit a hospital, transportation and a staff escort are provided. Parents are contacted right away and kept informed throughout.

Please note: any costs for doctor visits, prescriptions, or hospital care are the responsibility of the parent.

Supervision & Safety

Campers are housed in UNCG residence halls under the attentive care of our Music Camp staff. More than 80 counselors live on-site each week, monitoring all aspects of camp life.

Safety and expectations are emphasized from day one. At the first rehearsal, campers receive a detailed orientation covering camp rules, campus boundaries, safety procedures, and how to get assistance. All campers wear color-coded ID bracelets for easy identification, and staff wear highly visible red bracelets.

Sunday evening includes a dorm meeting where campers meet their floor counselors and learn about fire safety, daily routines, and residence hall guidelines. Counselors’ rooms are clearly marked for easy access.

While campers enjoy limited freedom to move around campus, they must travel in groups of two or more. Attendance is taken at every event, and a dedicated team tracks tardiness, health concerns, and other issues. Additionally, staff members patrol campus in minivans throughout the day, ready to assist with any situation—including weather-related concerns.

Camp Policy on Bullying

Bullying—whether through exclusion, teasing, gossip, or physical harm—is never tolerated at UNCG Summer Music Camp. Our goal is to create a safe, supportive environment where campers build confidence, make friends, and leave with great memories.

The Camp Handbook clearly states: A camper may be expelled without refund for any behavior that endangers or detracts from the camp experience of others.

Our staff is trained to recognize and address bullying promptly. We encourage open communication so campers feel comfortable reporting concerns. Every camper deserves the best possible experience, and by working together, we ensure a positive, respectful week of music for all.

Free time & Recreation

Campers enjoy plenty of opportunities to relax and socialize. Popular activities include evening movies, visits to the campus bookstore, and a final-night dance—all under the careful supervision of our Music Camp staff.

From Monday to Thursday, campers may visit a short, one-block stretch of Tate Street adjacent to campus, featuring a few shops and eateries. Counselors are stationed along the street during these times for safety. Campers can also explore the Elliott University Center, home to the campus bookstore, convenience store, coffee shop, and snack options. Extra counselors are present in these areas to assist and maintain a positive environment.

Students may choose to practice in the School of Music or return to their dorms to rest. During all recreational periods, counselors and head chaperones remain on duty to ensure camper well-being.

Equipment

Band and orchestra students must bring their own instruments and a folding metal music stand. A limited number of larger instruments—such as string basses, concert percussion, and pianos—will be available through the UNCG School of Music.

Cell Phone Policy

For many years, we asked campers not to bring cell phones to camp. While we still believe they are unnecessary and carry a risk of loss or theft, we no longer forbid them. However, strict rules apply:

• Using a phone during rehearsals, classes, or evening activities will result in the phone being taken and held in the camp office until the end of the week.
• At the Sunday evening orientation, campers with cell phones must turn them off and leave them in their dorm rooms.
• Phones may be used during free time or while in the dorm.

Please do not call the Music Camp Office because your child is not answering their cell phone. This is normal and usually means everything is fine! For example, on Sunday evening, campers attend a dorm orientation meeting around 9:30 p.m., during which cell phones must be turned off.

Remember: Not hearing from your child is a good sign—it means they are engaged and safe. If any problem arises, you will hear from us first.

Camp History

In our very first year, 1983, the UNCG Summer Music Camp attracted 350 students from across the state of North Carolina. That first year, our camp included two jazz ensembles, three concert bands and one orchestra. In 1984, our size doubled to 710 students and the staff of 40 teachers and counselors were drawn from ten states. By 1986, our camp had grown to 1,170 students and a staff of 90 who had come from 17 states including North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, Ohio, Florida, Iowa, Texas, Tennessee, New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, Illinois, Alabama, and New York. Since 1986, we have added Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas, Indiana, New Hampshire, Minnesota, North Dakota, Colorado, Connecticut, Kentucky, Maine, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, Idaho, Vermont, Oregon, Missouri, Iowa, Hawaii, Utah, New Mexico, and the nations of England, Canada, Turkey, Taiwan, Bermuda, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Albania, Austria, Peru, Venezuela, Russia, Rwanda, India, Mexico, South Korea, Japan and China to an ever growing roster of participants.

We have successfully hosted about 66,000 students since 1983 at the UNCG Summer Music Camp. We take enormous pride in what we do and in the responsibility which comes with having so many students entrusted to us.

Future CAMP Dates

Mark your calendar!

2026: Sunday, July 12 through Friday, July 24