Band camp is going great. We have not had one drop of rain, the weather has been somewhat cool, and yesterday it was overcast which is great for learning drill. We are up to Set 13 of the show, right on schedule, and are playing with the drill up to that point.
Our schedule is wake up at 7:30, breakfast at 8am, bunk cleaning and dressing at 8:30. Field basics from 9 to about 9:45, learning drill from 9:45 to 12 noon and lunch at 12 noon. Then we go to indoor sectional rehearsals from 1 to 2:45, then music ensemble outside standing still from 2:45 to 3:30. We have pool break from 3:30 to 6pm with a snack at the field house at 4pm. Dinner at 6pm, field rehearsal from 7 to 8:30, and the night activity (all are required to participate) from 9 to about 9:45. We then have a snack included in camp, at the canteen at 10. The Canteen is open to purchase other snacks from 10 to 11 and we have the kids curfew at 11pm, with a lights out at 11:30.
The band rehearses for a total of 7 hours a day. Most band camps are 9 to 12 hours rehearsing a day but we have found that by being super organized and efficient, we get just as much done or more within this 7 hour rehearsal environment.
I have felt, after running band camps for about 30 years, that the social needs are key to making this entire thing work and that the free time is bonding for the students, preparing them for real life training with our business like "climb the ladder" point system (I will explain that in detail in the next blog) as well as preparing them for real life with my CD program. My CD (Character Development) program hinges on being a "Person of Character" something that I have striven to teach all the students I have come in contact with them. These kids here at Roslyn already have character, we just sneak a workshop in on further character building as part of everything we do here. That will be another blog this week as well.
I'd like to thank Principal Dr. Andrews for coming to our camp yesterday. He was here all day and we really appreciate his support.
Another update tomorrow. Remember, follow us on twitter and see the pictures on roslynband.com.
