Band Camp Survival Guide

These are reminders about what you need and must have with you, not only on the first day of camp, but always.

  1. First and foremost- Water (and plenty of it!). Each student needs to bring their own water jug (a large, gallon-sized one is recommended). You can purchase one at Target, Wal-Mart, or any other retail store for a few dollars. Please write your name on your jug!! Bring it to camp filled with cold or ice water. Each student needs to bring water. Bringing individual bottles of water is not recommended due to the waste and mess factor. Again, bring water and plenty of it!
  1. Sunscreen and plenty of it. We will be outside every morning and, if the weather permits, some afternoons. Please be conscious of the heat and sun, and protect yourselves. (You may also wish to have bug spray, like Off! for outdoor rehearsals.)
  1. A cap, hat, or visor.
  1. Light, loose fitting clothes. Please be reminded that this is a school-sponsored event and the Somerset County Dress Code applies. School administrators have been known to drop by, so we need to be in compliance. The air conditioner will be on in the school, so you may wish to have a sweatshirt for inside rehearsals.
  1. Sneakers and high ankle covering socks. Flip flops or sandals of any kind will not be permitted. You will be sent home if you do not have proper footwear. Short ‘foot only’ socks will not sufficiently cover your ankle and give you bad blisters. Blisters are very painful and prohibit you from marching with proper technique. Please wear ankle covering socks for your own benefit. Extra socks are recommended because, after a hot morning of marching, fresh socks feel amazing.
  1. Sunglasses.
  1. A bagged lunch.
  1. Snacks for energy, not high in salt or fat content (e.g., fruit, vegetables, energy bars, granola bars, etc. Avoid dairy!)
  1. Any music and drill posted on the website, including warm ups, drill, show music, etc. You are responsible for keeping up with this material.
  1. A binder with sheet protectors for all of your music. This is very important because you will be getting new music, both warm ups and show music. You will be getting drill charts, as well. Everything should be stored and kept neatly in a binder for you to use for rehearsals and sectionals. Please stop rolling up loose music/drill and discarding it (on the band room floor!). We want to go “greener” and stop wasting paper/plastic. Our Band Room must stay clean!
  1. You will need a “Dot Book”. This is a memo-sized, spiral-bound notebook. EVERYONE will be required to complete their dot books in the assigned time. This is how you will learn and memorize your “dot” (your place on the field). If you do not complete your dot book, your grade could suffer, you may be withheld from rehearsals/performances, and you may be dropped from the group. Again, everyone will be completing a dot book. Check with your section leader before you buy it to make sure you get the right thing. You won’t need this on the first day.
  1. Remember to bring your instrument with appropriate accessories (e.g., mouthpieces, reeds, cork grease, valve oil, drumsticks, practice pad, flags, poms, etc.)
  1. Please remember all of your forms (completely filled out) and payments. If you have misplaced your contact information form and your uniform order form, you can find them on the Band website, or get them from Mrs. Hetland. If you have any concerns with payment for uniform parts, please let Mrs. Hetland know before band camp begins.
  1. Please be on time. Remember our motto: To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late. Be 15 minutes early every day and every block.
  1. Last, but not least, bring A MINDSET TO WORK AND TO WORK HARD.