Songwriting and Ukulele Music Retreat

2025 CAMP BROCHURE

CAMPING CHECK LIST

Dates: Tuesday July 1st - Friday July 11th 2025

Ages: 11+

Exclusive to current LJMA students.

Camping Locations:

Portola Redwoods State Park (July 1st - July 6th)
Hearst San Simeon State Park (July 6th - July 11th)

Activities include:

Daily songwriting and ukulele group classes
White water rafting day adventure
Day trips to various towns (past visits have included Santa Barbara, Solvang, Yosemite, Morro Bay, Carmel)
Hiking
Swimming
Kayaking
Beach days
Long walks
Games
Music trivia nights
S'mores by the campfire
Incredible home-cooked food by a private cook and tons of FUN

MUSIC SUMMER CAMP DESCRIPTION

In our attempt to reduce the anxiety, stress, and pressure affecting so many kids these days, this camp is designed to take them back to basics. They can relax, disconnect from devices, and be a kid again all while being surrounded by what they love the most: music and friends.

Nature is a huge healer. It calms the mind, resets your soul, and brings you back to a neutral mentality. Join us as we explore beautiful locations up the coast of California. We have a strict no-device policy so that campers can fully disconnect. Parents will be given counselors' phone numbers in the event contact is necessary due to an emergency.

A minibus will be provided to transport all campers to and from locations as well as home-cooked meals every night from our very own private cook. No tin can food and scraps! Campers will get three healthy homemade meals a day including a packed lunch as well as snacks and drinks to keep them energized and ready to go. This is the perfect getaway for the music-loving camper.

Camper Character Requirements

Anyone wanting to attend camp must be:

Able to take direction and follow camp rules
Open-minded
Respectful of others and the environment
Willing to share
Able to sleep through the night

LJMA Teen Songwriting Music Retreat California

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Campsite reservations at hard-to-come-by gorgeous California State Parks.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (hot meal), snacks, and water all day.
All meals are prepared and cooked by our very own personal cook
Nightly s'mores around the campfire, hot chamomile teas, or cocoa to help you snuggle into bed for a peaceful night’s sleep
15-seater tall minibus transportation to and from each site
Pick-up/drop-off from Laura Jean Music Academy
24-hour adult supervision - 4 adults/12 campers (1:3 ratio)
White water rafting trip (medium level)
Day trips to various towns
Activities:
- Morning jogs (optional but highly recommended for getting the blood flowing)
- Hiking
- Beach days
- Daily board/card games
- Inclusive interactive evening group games/music trivia tournaments
- Exploring local towns including tasting local cuisines and stopping into local shops
- Group ukulele and songwriting lessons - many times on the beach, in groves, or with a beautiful view of nature
- Relaxing down time
- Dinner and breakfast are always eaten together

WHITE WATER RAFTING INFO

South Fork American River

Lower ‘Gorge’ Itinerary:

Meet mid-morning to late morning in Lotus
Sign-in & instructions
Class II warm-up rapids (medium level of difficulty)
Riverside lunch
Class III rapids - the "Gorge"
Take-out in Folsom Lake and shuttle
The trip ends mid-afternoon to late afternoon

On the Lower "Gorge," our trip begins with easy Class II rapids, which is the perfect warm-up for the Class III whitewater that waits downstream. Before we get to the big stuff, we break for a delicious riverside lunch. After lunch, we're back in the rafts, paddling the Class III whitewater of the "Gorge." Our Class III challenge begins with Fowler's Rock Rapid and culminates with rapids like the Hospital Bar and Recovery Room. Any trip through the rapid-filled "Gorge" is an eventful one! Reaching Folsom Lake in the late afternoon, we float to our take-out.

For more information, visit All Outdoors California Rafting.

Rated 5 stars on YELP!

We experienced this trip last time and the rapids are challenging, but extremely manageable. For those that are nervous, they allow you to sit in the middle of the boat so that you are safe throughout the adventure and don’t need to fall into the water if you don’t want to. However, if it's warm, it's incredibly refreshing! Campers are allowed to sit out of the white water rafting, but this does not affect the price of the camp. That being said, we highly encourage every camper to participate.

GROUP MUSIC CLASS INFO

Classes are optional. Students can pick either or both classes to partake in.
Students who do not opt for additional classes will partake in extra board games and chill time.
Each class is 45 mins - 1 hour each
Teachers at this camp currently teach their respective subjects privately at the Laura Jean Music Academy, have vast experience working with small groups, and are trained specifically to work with kids. They are passionate musicians and dedicated educators.

GROUP UKULELE CLASS

Learn all the main chords throughout the week as well as a new song every day to be played in a group around the campfire each night.

Those taking the Ukulele Class will be required to bring their own Ukulele. If you need to purchase one, here are a couple of links to recommended Ukuleles: Option 1 and Option 2.

SONGWRITING CLASS

Analyze and tear apart the songs you learn in Ukulele Class and learn to write your own. Strip them down and learn how each songwriter created the song you are studying. Learn how to add these techniques to your songwriting skills.

Time in the day will be given for students to practice and write in a relaxing and chilled atmosphere surrounded by nature.

This is a songwriter’s DREAM.

SAMPLE ITINERARY:

07:30 am Morning Roll Call
07:30 am - 08:15 am Morning run, swim, walk, yoga
08:15 am - 09:15 am Breakfast
09:15 am - 10:00 am Shower/wash up
10:00 am - 10:30 am Make lunches
10:30 am Leave for a day trip.
10:30 am - 11:00 am Travel to town in minibus/snack time
11:00 am - 01:00 pm Explore the local town looking at bookshops, antique shops, thrift shops, record stores, cafes, and patisseries.
01:00 pm - 02:30 pm Sit in the park and eat our lunch together, play group card games, and find a little local cafe for a treat.
02:30 pm - 03:00 pm Travel back to camp
03:00 pm - 05:30 pm Ukulele class on the beach + beach game time.
05:30 pm - 06:30 pm Phone time/Downtime
06:30 pm - 07:15 pm Shower/Change into PJs
07:15 pm - 08:00 pm Dinner/Group card/board game
08:00 pm - 09:00 pm Songwriting Class round campfire
09:00 pm - 10:00 pm 11/12 year olds - Bed preparations and quiet time,