Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp is held at YMCA Camp Shady Brook, located 1½
hours southwest of Denver and 1 hour northwest of Colorado Springs, near the town of
Deckers, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado (Map
to Camp). The site was originally a
19th century ranch. The dining lodge, overlooked by the elk on the left, was the
dance hall of the ranch. To see a map of the camp, click here: Map
of Camp Shady Brook.
Lodging
Housing is provided in cabins with bunk beds for 6-8 people. In addition, there are a couple of larger buildings with 7-12 bunk beds per room, and there are some framed tents with bunk beds. If you prefer, bring your own tent, RV, or camper, and save $45/person for the week. After you register, we will ask you for your housing preferences.
Meals
Meals are prepared by camp staff and served family style in the dining lodge. Traditional and vegetarian meals will be available. There will be snacks available between meals, and an outdoor barbecue one day. Camp Shady Brook takes pride in the quality of its food.
Class, Workshop, and Dance
Facilities
August is perhaps the most beautiful month in the Colorado Rockies, and weather permitting, most classes will be held outside. There are many beautiful sites under the trees. Nightly dances and gatherings will be held in a large tent with a dance floor.
Recreation Facilities
Camp Shady Brook is surrounded on three sides by national forest, which is laced with trails for hiking. Also, there is a small lake at the camp for canoeing, fishing, and swimming -- a life guard will be on duty at specified times. Very near the camp is some of the best fly-fishing in Colorado, but a permit is required, which can be bought in the nearby town of Deckers (but who would want to fish when there is so much music going on?!) Bring your fishing pole if you wish.
Campfires
Overlooking the rest of the camp is a large campfire area. Jam sessions around the campfire lasting late into the evening will be a highlight of the Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp experience!
(The background picture on this web site is a typical view on the drive up to Camp Shady Brook. And yes, on the drive up from Denver you will see the results of the forest fire of May 2000, but Camp Shady Brook was unscathed!)
From Denver: Follow US Highway 285 (called Hampden Avenue in south Denver) west out of Denver. Approximately 6 miles past Conifer you will come to Pine Junction and a stoplight. Turn left (south) on Rt. 126 towards Pine, Buffalo Creek, and Deckers. At Deckers, go over a bridge and take a right turn onto South Y Camp Road, which is a dirt road. Continue for 2 miles until you get to the camp at the end of the road.
From Colorado Springs: Follow US Highway 24 west to Woodland Park. At Woodland Park, turn north on State Highway 67. Continue on Hwy. 67 for 23 miles to Deckers. At Deckers, take a left onto South Y Camp Road, which is a dirt road. Continue for 2 miles until you get to the camp at the end of the road. [Back to top] [Contact us]
Map to YMCA Camp Shady Brook and Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp!
How to get to Camp Shady Brook and Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp [Back to Camper Info]
From Denver: Follow US Highway 285 (called Hampden Avenue in south Denver) west out of Denver. Approximately 6 miles past Conifer you will come to Pine Junction and a stoplight. Turn left (south) on Rt. 126 towards Pine, Buffalo Creek, and Deckers. At Deckers, go over a bridge and take a right turn onto South Y Camp Road, which is a dirt road. Continue for 2 miles until you get to the camp at the end of the road.
From Colorado Springs: Follow US Highway 24 west to Woodland Park. At Woodland Park, turn north on State Highway 67. Continue on Hwy. 67 for 23 miles to Deckers. At Deckers, take a left onto South Y Camp Road, which is a dirt road. Continue for 2 miles until you get to the camp at the end of the road.
The mailing address for the camp is [Your Name], Camp Shady Brook, 8716 South Y Camp Road, Sedalia, CO 80135. If you would like to mail yourself anything prior to camp, you may do so and it will be waiting for you when you arrive!