It’s time!! Band Camp is finally here, and we hope you’re as excited as we are! To make sure we have an excellent two weeks of camp, please remember the following:
Double-Check the schedule. Paper copies were handed out at the last meetings and an updated Google Calendar is available on our website. We have rehearsal every weekday from 8am - 5pm except for Fridays when students are released at noon. The only Saturday commitment during camp is Tag Day #2 on August 4 from 4-9pm.
Bring Medical Forms (if you haven’t turned them in). This vital information can be given to Mr. Leslie or Amy Hartig, our Secretary & Kid Care Coordinator. If you need specific medications during the day, you should bring these as well.
Drink lots of water. Students are advised to bring their own water JUG, not bottle. There will be multiple opportunities to refill these throughout the day. No Gatorade unless it’s specifically for lunch (you don’t want to have sugar before putting a horn in your mouth.)
Bring sunscreen & athletic clothes/shoes. The best sunscreen is “broad spectrum” (UVA/UVB) that’s also water-resistant and SPF 30 or higher. Bring a bottle so you can re-apply throughout the day (most most brands are only effective for 1-2 hours.) Also, wear comfy athletic clothing -- preferably a WHITE shirt during drill instruction. Shoes should be closed-toed walking/tennis shoes (no sandals or flip flops.)
Eat a good breakfast. Does this mean you need a 4-course meal with “all the fixin’s” every morning? Absolutely not. But please, DO NOT skip breakfast! At the very least, eat some complex carbs (whole grain cereals) to help charge your day. Don’t rely on short bursts of sugar (pop-tarts) as your energy will drain quickly. The #1 cause of band camp illness is lack of nutrition.
Bring your own lunch. Your diet should reflect the amount of work you’re doing, and band camp is tough mentally & physically! Again, have some complex carbs, protein, and healthy foods to help re-charge. Students will not be allowed to leave campus for lunch.
Bring 1 can of your section’s spray paint. Don’t worry if you forgot over the weekend. You won’t need paint until we start drill on Tuesday. Colorguard - Pink; Woodwinds - Purple; Brass - Orange; Percussion - N/A.
Band Fees are due August 1. Band Fees are $350 per student. Unfortunately, we’re not going to have Band Bucks this year, but we will have some other fundraisers and raffles to benefit the kids. Everyone who can pay the band fee upfront needs to do so by Aug. 1st. More info will be discussed at the NPAA meeting on Monday, August 6.
Merchandise orders coming soon. All students will get a show shirt. Extra merch like parent shirts, section shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, and NPPA polos will cost extra. Forms will go home the first week of camp.
Skit Night is tentatively set for Thursday, Aug. 2 at 6:00pm in the Auditorium. Parents are welcome to attend this fun tradition. It will last about an hour. Students should talk with upperclassmen in their section about ideas and routines.