RMFC Frequently Asked Questions

Registration & Transportation

• How do I register?

• What is included in the fee?

• Are scholarships available?

• Do you provide transportation from/to the airports?

• Do you allow non-camper visitors?

Music Program

• Who are the artists and instructors?

• Can I take more than one instrument? How do I decide what level of instruction I should take?

• Do you have rental instruments available?

• What is the schedule for the week?

Camp Facility & Meals

• Please describe Camp Shady Brook?  How does it differ from the previous facility?

• What housing is available?

• Do you offer a vegetarian menu?

• Can you accommodate food allergies?

• What should I bring to camp?

• Do I need to bring bedding?

• How can I be contacted in case of emergency?

• Is there cell phone coverage?  Wireless internet?

• What is the Sound Policy?

How do I register?

You simply fill out the Online Registration Form and mail in a deposit of $125/person.  Registrations are accepted strictly first come, first served. Please see the Registration Information page.  Back to top.

What is included in the fee?

All room & board is included.  For Adults and Youngsters, all classes, concerts, dances, jams, and events are included.  Guardians may attend all evening events but do not take daytime classes.  An adult parent or guardian may attend daytime classes with children for supervisory purposes.  Back to top.

Are scholarships available?

Yes, please see the Scholarship page.  Back to top.

Do you provide transportation from/to the airports?

Yes, there will be shuttles to/from camp and both the Denver and Colorado Springs airports.  If you are flying into Denver International Airport (Airport code DEN) or Colorado Springs Airport (Airport code COS), please book a flight that arrives no later than 2:00 PM Sunday, August 9. We will arrange a shuttle to the camp leaving at approximately 3:00 PM. There will be shuttles from camp to the airports on Sunday, August 16, leaving at 8:30 AM. Please book a flight that departs no earlier than 1:00 PM on Sunday, August 16. The charge for the shuttle is $50 round trip or one way. 

At Denver International Airport, after collecting your luggage, please gather at the South end of the main terminal, in front of a large window wall, by the TCBY store, near some Western murals.  If you are in the mood, feel free to jam!

If you choose not to take our shuttle, the best alternative is to rent a car for the week.  There are no commercial shuttles available to/from the airport.  Back to top.

Do you allow non-camper visitors?

During the week, casual visitors are not allowed; everyone at camp must be a registered camper or staff.  However, for the Campers’ Concert Saturday afternoon, visitors may come from 2:00 – 5:00.  Back to top.

Music Program

Who are the artists and instructors?

They are described completely at the Artists page.  Back to top.

Can I take more than one instrument?  How do I decide what level of instruction I should take?

All classes are completely self-selected.  There are six class periods during the day, and you may take as many as you wish in whatever instruments you have available.  No one is expected to go to six classes; it is up to you to schedule practice time, rest time, etc.

Level of learning is also self-selected.  If after the first day, you wish to move up or down a level, you are welcome to do so.

Here are some general guidelines for fiddle:

Beginner – Less than one year of study.  Brand new beginners are very welcome.

Novice – Two to three years of study.

Intermediate 1 and 2 and Advanced – More than three years of study.

In some cases, for instruments other than fiddle, it will be up to the instructor to decide whether to divide the classes into different levels if the class doesn’t have a level designated.  Back to top.

Do you have rental instruments available?

Yes, rental instruments are available for $45 for the week.  To rent an instrument, you must schedule it in advance.  There will be only enough for campers who have requested them prior to camp.  Simply note on your Registration Form or send an email to the Director what instrument(s) you want to rent.  Back to top.

What is the schedule for the week?

This is described completely on the Classes & Workshops page.  Back to top. 

Camp Facility & Meals

Please describe Camp Shady Brook?  How does it differ from the previous facility?

Camp Shady Brook is a beautiful mountain setting.  It has two distinct advantages over our previous site (near Estes Park where we were 2002-07).

1)   There is a beautiful lake with a beach for swimming and boating.  We will have a lifeguard at designated hours, and, weather permitting, we’ll hold the famous Triathlon on Thursday afternoon.

2)   It is much lower in elevation, 6800 feet rather than 9000 feet.  For campers from lower altitudes, this is a significant difference.

YMCA Camp Shady Brook prohibits the use of illegal drugs or substances, and as a contracted group, Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp agrees not to bring any narcotics, firearms, or any unlawful drugs to camp. No pets are allowed.

To learn and see more about YMCA Camp Shady Brook, go to Camp Shady Brook.   They've got a great Photo Tour.

Camp Shady Brook is truly an authentic Rocky Mountain camping experience! The sights and sounds and atmosphere of the mountains are breathtaking. But please be reminded that the camp is just that, a summer camp primarily for kids, not a resort hotel or corporate conference center. We will do everything possible to insure your comfort, convenience, and wonderful experience!  Back to top.

What housing is available?

Housing will be in dorms with 6-14 people, designated Female, Male, Mixed Family (two or more family  members of different gender, at least one of whom is a Youngster), or Mixed Adult (two or more campers of different gender, all Adults).  On the Registration Form you can indicate your dorm preference and your preferred age group.

Some of the dorms do not have connected toilet and shower facilities.  There are several general bath houses and portable toilets around the camp.  Some of the dorms are tent platforms that function just like dorms and have electricity.

As always, you may bring your own tent, RV, or camper for a $55/person discount.  No hook ups are available.  Back to top.

Do you offer a vegetarian menu?

Yes, there will be a complete vegetarian menu.  You should indicate your preference for this on the Registration Form.  We need you to decide for the entire week; it's hard to plan if campers "switch" during the week.  Back to top.

Can you accommodate food allergies?

Yes, we can accommodate almost all food allergies.  Please describe your situation on the Registration Form.  Back to top.

What should I bring to camp?

These are only suggestions. You may decide what you think you will need.

Do I need to bring bedding?

If you are driving to camp, please bring your own bedding, including towels and pillows.  We will have a very limited supply for campers who are flying to Colorado.  Back to top.

How can I be contacted in case of emergency? 

Camp telephone:  303-647-2313 ext 2.  Voice messages will be checked frequently.  Fax:  303-647-0513.  Communication between camp and the outside world by phone is challenging.  If you plan to have regular contact, email is the only reliable method.   Back to top.

Is there cell phone coverage?  Wireless internet?

There is no cell phone coverage.  Phones will be available to campers on a limited basis, and you have to use a phone card.  There will be wireless internet coverage. Back to top.

What is the Sound Policy?

In general, the dorms and tent/RV/camper areas should be quiet both day and night so that people may rest. When you wish to practice during the day, you should be able to find a relatively secluded spot out among the trees, or a more populated area near the dining hall, or simply just outside away from any sleepers. In the evening and at night, there will be several  areas devoted to jamming and other music making, which should be available all night long. Despite this mild policy, which attempts to provide relative quiet for those who need to rest, this is of course a music camp, and various melodious sounds may be present day and night anywhere. If you are a light sleeper, earplugs are strongly recommended!  Back to top.