Join Pete for his camps in 2021!

We have all struggled to keep music going during the past year. Some have managed outdoor jams, online jams with JamKazam, and even playing along with jam videos. But the in-person experience of a bluegrass camp or festival is one I have really missed. I bet you have too!

I’m pleased to be directing 3 camps in 2021 including a new full-week banjo camp in August, in the Colorado mountains. Our two bluegrass camps, in Silver Bay, NY and Boomer, NC, will be in late summer this year.

Bluegrass Camps

Our 8th Annual Bluegrass Camp at Silver Bay, NY will be August 22-27 at the beautiful Silver Bay YMCA Conference Center on the shores of Lake George in upstate New York. Repeat campers have progressed so much, this camp has evolved into a “Level 2” camp, now restricted to more-experienced jammers. (Be advised: it’s getting close to full now.) 

We’ve added a brand new Basic Bluegrass Jam Camp for entry-level jammers, running at the same time, at the same facility. It will be led by Harry Gambrill, one of our most experienced Wernick Method teachers. The two camps will share meals, lodging, and after-hour activities. Details on the two camps are available on the camp web pages, linked above.

We moved our pre-Merlefest camps in Boomer, NC to September 13-16 this year, to keep them next to Merlefest, which moved to September this year. The Merlefest Bluegrass Camp, is our original “flagship” jam camp, now restricted to experienced players. That camp and the Basic Bluegrass Jam Camp directed by Gilbert Nelson will run concurrently at YMCA Camp Harrison in Boomer, NC. The two camps share meals, lodging, and some evening activities. September is a beautiful time in the Carolina mountains with a great group of campers and our top-notch staff. 

Banjo Camp

And then, there’s Banjo Camp — my first banjo camp since 2015! It will be part of the Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp in Golden Bell Camp, Colorado — August 1-7. The banjo camp goes 5 full days and more, amid students learning fiddle and other acoustic instruments. Expect lots of jamming as well as individualized banjo instruction from me. I’ll be teaching all levels of banjo skill, and all players are welcome! 

I hope you can join me for any of these camps this year. And a full schedule of other Wernick Method classes and camps is shaping up as well. They all offer quality, experienced teaching, a proven method for building jam skills, and a fun and fulfilling group learning experience. Let’s celebrate a return to music-making!