• “Silver Lake is all about becoming a better musician, meeting new friends and making memories!”

Daily Schedule

7:00 amRise and shine!
8:00-8:45 amBreakfast
9:00-10:15 amRehearsal 1
10:30-11:30 amRehearsal 2
12:00-12:45 pmLunch
1:00-2:15 pmRehearsal 3
2:30-3:30 pmRehearsal 4
3:30-5:00 pmRec Time (swim, hike, crafts, sports, etc.)
5:45-6:30 pmDinner
6:30-8:00 pmJazz Ensembles (optional) and evening activities
8:00-9:00 pmNightly Campfire
9:00-10:45 pmLate Night Activities (casino night, karaoke, dances, night hikes, etc.)
11:00 pmLights out!

The Music

Rehearsals are directed by top band directors from middle schools, high schools and colleges in Northern California. Rehearsals run from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm with several breaks including lunch. Campers sight read over 80 pieces of music throughout the week. The last two days of rehearsals, bands will focus on selections of music that they will perform for the Saturday Concert. Counselors and band directors sit in rehearsals with campers to give them one-on-one instruction when needed.

Auditions take place on Sunday afternoon shortly after check-in. While auditions are used to place campers by chair, they are intended to be non-competitive and used to place campers within their respective sections. For more information about auditions, please visit the auditions section.

Jazz ensemble meets in the evening after dinner and before campfire. It is an optional activity that campers can choose to participate in. Jazz Ensemble offers opportunities for campers to learn and expand their knowledge of improvisation. Like the concert bands, the jazz ensembles will sight read music for the first half of the week and will then focus on several pieces for the Saturday concert.

Drum major lessons and workshops are available to campers who are currently drum majors or are interested in becoming drum majors. Both private and group lessons are held during rehearsals where campers will learn the techniques of drum majoring and improve their skill. Information about sign ups will be given at the first campfire. Campers are encouraged to bring their own batons, otherwise SLBC will provide one for use.

Camp Life

Afternoon and Evening Activities

Hiking

Swimming

Jazz Band

Arts & Crafts

Late Night Activities

Campfires

Night Hikes

Gong Show

Game Nights

Dances and Karaoke

Counselors In Training

Campers who are entering their senior year of high school or have just graduated are encouraged to participate in the Counselor In Training (CIT) program. CITs have the opportunity to see first-hand what it takes to be a counselor.

In fact, being a CIT is the only way to become a counselor. Each year the CITs that are the best fit for camp are selected to return to join the counseling team.

CITs help counselors rove camp, facilitate activities, check cabins and are role models to younger campers. CITs also work together to accomplish goals, put on their own campfire, and learn what it means to be a team.

REGISTER TO BE A CIT

If your camper is eligible to be a CIT, please sign them up on the registration page.

For the 2023 year, CITs will be arriving at camp one day earlier than all other campers on July 15th.

Although CITs are never fully responsible for campers, they will learn how to take on a leadership role and see camp life from a different perspective. Under the supervision of counselors, they will be asked to help in many situations and will be given varied tasks to perform. Staff and counselors will be there to guide and teach CITs throughout the process.

For those who register to be a CIT, we will be emailing more information out in June.

This is a meaningful program with many benefits for everyone involved. At the end of the week, CITs will gain lifelong skills in leadership, communication, initiative, responsibility, and teamwork–which will serve them in whatever they choose to do.

Please contact us for any additional questions.