FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you have additional questions, please contact us by telephone (602-618-6285) or email (rfc@peterrolland.com).

Is this a residential camp?
The first three camps were held at a residential facility in the mountains (Hermit Basin Conference Center) but now that camp is held in town, campers find their own accommodations and meals.  See the LODGING & MEALS page.

Is this camp for children or adults?
Instruction is offered at levels ranging from beginners to professionals.  Group classes are geared to an adult attention span, but we welcome students of any age as long as they want to learn the music and can stay focused during the classes.  Students under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  See the FEES & REGISTRATION page for details.

What about carpooling?
This is a great option.  If you are interested in sharing a ride and travel expenses to camp, let us know and we’ll put you in contact with any others from your area that are also interested in carpooling.

I want to fly in.  Where are the airports and how do I get to camp from there?
Most folks fly into Denver, rent a car and drive to camp from there.  There's a lot of great scenery to see by car!
Some folks fly into Colorado Springs.  It's often cheaper to fly into Denver which is a big hub.
It's possible to fly into Pueblo, but you probably have to change planes at Denver, so that might be a cheaper destination.
Often participants meet up at the airport and share a ride to camp.
Sometimes we are able to arrange carpooling with Colorado participants who can pick them up at an airport.
If you own a plane and want to fly it in, there's a small airport near Westcliffe (!!!).  See the LOCATION & ACTIVITIES page for the link.

How early can I arrive?
That's up to you.  This area is a vacation destination; come early and stay late if you like. But in any case plan on arriving on Sunday at the latest because camp check-in starts at 8:30am Monday morning and camp orientation is at 9am.

What's the weather like?

It's likely to be

·      Chilly in the early morning 45-ish degrees Fahrenheit

·      Pleasant in the day (65-80 degrees Fahrenheit) with good chance of short rains in the afternoon

·      Cool nights. 

·      Bring long pants, a light jacket, sweat shirt, raincoat or poncho and a hat

What if I have a problem with the altitude?

Westcliffe elevation is just under 8000 feet.  Some visitors to the area experience a mild form of altitude illness until their bodies adjust to the altitude.  Common symptoms include headache, shortness of breath, fatigue and dry throat.  To minimize the effect of altitude, you can:

·      Arrive rested and get a good night's sleep when you arrive

·      Avoid strenuous exercise and salty foods when you first arrive

·      If you come from low elevation, spending a night in Colorado Springs, Cañon City, Florence or Pueblo would allow your body more time to adjust to the change in altitude.

·      Drink plenty of water before you arrive and during your stay to prevent dehydration.

What should I bring to camp?  Here are our suggestions; adjust what you bring to suit yourself.

·      Your primary instrument

·      We encourage you to bring a secondary instrument if you would like to (not required)

·      Tuner and music stand (both optional but strongly recommended)

·      Extra strings, rosin, picks, etc.

·      Recording device, extra batteries, tapes, etc; plan on recording lessons, concerts, classes & workshops for later study

·      A notebook to keep music organized (plastic sleeves are great at protecting loose sheets)

·      Pen, pencils & eraser

·      Extension cord

·      Camera a/o video recorder

·      Enough clothes for the week

·      Long pants, a light jacket, sweat shirt, raincoat or poncho, an umbrella if you like, and a hat

·      Comfortable walking shoes; if you hike in the mountains, shoes with ankle support are advisable since the natural terrain is rough and rocky

·      Shoes suitable for dancing in

·      Toiletries and personal items (nothing is available for purchase at camp unless you drive to town)

·      Anti-nausea pills like Dramamine

·      Sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher (the sun is more intense at high altitude!)

·      Earplugs (in case you want to sleep with jamming all around)

·      Insect repellent

·      Personal first aid kit

·      Flashlights

·      A day pack & water bottle if you plan on doing any hiking

·      Swimming suit