Sorry this issue is so late. I was lulled into complacency since March is the only month with no holidays or vacations. I was more than a little amazed when a couple of you asked where it was! I hope it was worth the wait.

I know it’s still chilly at night and the weeds are just coming out but by the time another newsletter rolls around it will be Summer already. While you’re looking forward to that, consider the idea of sending your budding rock star to a Guitar Camp.

Being immersed in music full time can lift your child out of the "gotta practice a half hour" place and help them to experience making music as the wondrous pursuit that it is. Different instructors will expose them to a variety of styles and new ideas. Meeting other kids who are excited about playing together creates heightened enthusiasm. In most cases the students give a concert or record an original song. This can open their eyes to new possibilities and lead to a serious commitment to improving their musical skills.

Here are some ideas:

• National Guitar Summer Workshop [www.guitarworkshop.com] has some great instructors. They put on different programs in different cities. My students who have attended came back changed guitarists but to get the most out of NGSW you should be fairly motivated. They also have a program called Day Jams [www.dayjams.com]. This is aimed at 9-15 year olds of any skill level.
• Power Chord Academy [www.powerchordacademy.com] Watch the video on their website. Whew, rock on dude!
• Puget Sound Guitar Workshop [www.langston.com/PSGW] This appears to be a more acoustic in the woods thing.
• The sessions at Centrum (Fort Warden State Park) [www.centrum.org] are known world wide which is not surprising if you look at the world class faculty list. They tend towards jazz, traditional blues and acoustic music.
• I discovered the Georgia Strait Guitar Workshop [www.gsgw.ca/summer_camp.htm] from a web search. This looks like a wonderful way to spend a weekend in B.C. They have some very interesting course offerings.
• Your local Parks & Recreation Department or Boys & Girls Club may have some musical activities. Give them a call.
• Going out of town? Not a problem. A web search on "summer guitar camp" will yield results from all over the country.

Every camp as different age limits and is designed for differing skill levels. You will need to examine their brochures and websites to match your child’s abilities and interests to the camp. I would think that a student should at least have a year or two of lessons under their fingers to get the most out of the experience. By the way, some of these start in June and fill up quickly so you should get on it soon. Be sure to check on what equipment and materials they will need to bring.

I sure wish I’d known about these when I was a kid!