Updated for RMFC 2007 - 7/25/07

• Housing Accommodations & Choices
• If you are flying in and want to take the Camp bus
• About High Peak Camp
• Map to Camp
• Camp Address & Phone Numbers
• Instrument Rentals
• Things to bring to Camp
• High Altitude

• Things we might need to know about you
• Important Final Reminders
• Camp Schedule
• Other Information
• Volunteer Positions
• RMFC Work-Trade Jobs List
• Reasons you may need to contact the Camp Director

Standard dorms - The dorms have up to 20 beds in a large room, and there are gender-designated showers and bathrooms in the same building. Dorm wings are  designated male, female, or mixed family.

Your own tent, RV, or camper - Tents, RV’s and campers will be directed to a large field. There are some electrical hookups, no water hookups; nearest services are in Estes Park 8 miles away. You may use designated bathrooms and showers in certain dorms. Bringing your own tent, RV, or camper entitles you to a $55 discount per person per week.

Upgrade to semi-private room - The semi-private rooms will generally be offered first-come, first-served based on when you first registered for camp. The supply is limited. If you have requested an upgrade, you will be contacted by June 15. The cost to upgrade can be paid after you've been notified that you will receive one.
[Back to Registration Information or Registration Form or Worksheet.]

Room types:

1. Semi-private room in a dorm - $125/person/week (2007 price) One of the dorms is divided into 16 rooms for two people each. In other dorms there are one or two private counselor rooms for two people. You would share the common dorm gender-designated bathrooms with other campers.
2. Semi-private room in a cabin or lodge - $185/person/week (2007 price) These rooms vary in size for 2-10 people. You will likely be sharing a bathroom with one or two other families.

In general - If you wish to designate yourself as "older" or "younger", we will try to put you with individuals of the same designation (and gender, of course). Also, there will be a teenage girls’ dorm (this concept was originated by Cosima when she was a teenager and still seems popular). Please let us know if you are interested in any of these options.

Airport Bus Information

If you want to ride the camp bus to/from Denver International Airport (Airport code DEN), please email or call with very detailed flight information: airline, flight number, city of origin, arrival & departure times, and number of people. The bus from the airport to camp leaves at 3:00 PM Sunday, August 5 and 12, and the bus from camp back to the airport leaves camp after breakfast at 8:30 AM Sunday, August 12 and 19. Please book a flight to arrive no later than 2:00 PM Sunday, August 5 or 12, and book a flight to leave no earlier than 1:00 PM Sunday, August 12 or 19. If you cannot make arrangements within these guidelines, we cannot assist you with transportation to/from camp, and it will likely cost you significantly more than our bus. The bus ride is about 2 hours from the airport to camp.

Denver International Airport (Airport code DEN) Arrival, August 5 and August 12

Please gather at the SOUTH end of the main terminal after collecting your luggage. As you come up from the trains, usually it’s to your right. There is a large window-wall looking out to the South, some Western murals on the walls, near the TCBY store, easy to find, same spot as always. The bus will leave at approximately 3:00 PM (earlier if everyone is there).

If you are not flying in, but coming to the airport to take the bus, please arrive no later than 2:00 PM.

We need a volunteer for "Bus Coordinator" for each Sunday, preferably someone arriving fairly early in the day. Your job will be to keep track of arrivals and notify the bus when everyone has arrived. Please email me if you are interested, and you'll earn a T-shirt for your effort!

Cost and Payment

We try as hard as we can to keep the cost of the bus at $45, round trip or one way. The goal is simply to cover costs. A strange result of this circumstance is that individually you might be motivated to find an alternate way to camp to save the cost of the bus. However, fewer riders means a higher cost per rider, so we actually appreciate as many bus riders as possible! Thanks!

We can provide one or more rental instruments for you, but we need to know in advance if you would like one, as the demand is always high.  Instruments available for rent are fiddle, guitar, mandolin, harp, banjo, cello, and bodhran.  Feel free to ask if you would like to rent something else.

The rental cost is $40/instrument/week.  Many of these instruments are donated from local music stores, so all rental payments are considered donations to the Scholarship fund.

Basses are donated by Steve Scott, so we've never charged rental for those.  However, if you use one for the week, you are encouraged to make a donation.

Our piano studio has eight or more electronic keyboards, available to all who come to class.  In addition, there are six or so acoustic upright pianos at various places around camp.  Every year, RMFC pays to have these pianos tuned and maintained.  While no rental payment is required, if your primary instrument is piano, you are encouraged to make a donation to the Scholarship Fund (such donation is tax deductible).

About High Peak Camp

High Peak Camp is run by the Salvation Army, an organization that openly supports Christian values and doctrine. You may notice symbols and signs of this at camp. Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp is secular and welcomes any reasonable form of religious expression.

The Salvation Army High Peak Camp prohibits the use of alcohol and illegal drugs or substances, and as a contracted group, Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp agrees not to bring any alcoholic beverages, narcotics, firearms, or any unlawful drugs to camp. No pets are allowed.

There is a single designated smoking area on camp. Not only is this a High Peak policy, we all know the fire danger is still high!

Things we might need to know about you

• You would like a ride on the camp bus to/from camp and Denver International Airport (Airport code DEN)? This is very important! Only if you contact us can we be sure to get you on the bus!
• You have a medical or dietetic need that wasn’t clarified on your registration form? If you prefer to eat vegetarian diet, please let us know.
• You have a housing need or request you would like to bring to our attention?
• You do NOT want your address information distributed in the camp roster?
• You have any situation that you want to bring to our attention prior to camp?
• You want to confirm any information that you may have already relayed to us?
• You want to volunteer for any of the volunteer positions (described below)?

If none of the above applies to you, then please read the rest of this information, and we look forward to seeing you at camp!

If you need to contact Mark Luther, Camp Director, the best and cheapest way is email to MFLuther@aol.com. The next best way is by telephone to 303-753-6870. You will always get voice mail, so please be prepared to state all of the necessary information, and please be clear as to whether you need a call back.

Things to Bring to Camp

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

If you have any of your own CD’s, music publications, and/or music related merchandise, be sure to bring them! There will be a camp music store where you can put them out for sale on a consignment basis.

High Altitude

Just a reminder: High Peak Camp is at an altitude of 9000 feet.  Campers who are from significantly lower elevations may notice some symptoms that accompany the adjustment to a higher altitude. These symptoms may include breathlessness, fatigue, and an increased need for rest and sleep. One of the best ways to aid adjustment is to drink lots of water! Most experts suggest EIGHT (8) full cups of water every day. You will receive a water bottle when you arrive, and we urge you to keep it with you and use it!

Last Minute Reminders

Calling All Campers!  Here are a few final reminders. If any of these items causes you any concern, please call or email me immediately (303-753-6870 or MFLuther@aol.com).

• Emergency phone number at camp:  970-586-3311
• Pay phone number at camp:  970-586-9890. You may receive calls here if no one is on the phone and you are there to pick it up.
• We now have a wireless network.  Bring your wireless equipped laptop for internet connection.
• There are no hookups or services for RV’s at camp. There is a servicing facility about 8 miles away – directions will be provided.
• No pets are allowed at camp – this is a rule of High Peak Camp.
• If you are a Guardian for someone who is not your child, there is a special form that needs to be filled out. Please contact Mark Luther immediately.
• Just to clarify the definition of “Guardian”: A Guardian may attend all meals and evening events, but is not entitled to attend the daytime classes. (Of course, a Guardian may accompany and assist a small child in class.)
• There will be no access to the camp prior to 2:00 PM Sunday, August 5. If you arrive early on August 12, we'll put you to work cleaning up!
• No smoking is permitted in any of the camp buildings or cabins.
• No alcohol is allowed at the camp. There is a pub about a mile up the road, and campers are welcome to visit it.
• No drop-in or day visitors are allowed unless you have cleared it with Mark Luther ahead of time, with the following exception
• The Campers' Concert, Saturday 2:00-5:00 PM is the one and only event to which you may invite friends or family who are not registered as campers.
• Be sure to bring a flashlight and extra batteries -- it’s dark at night!
• There will NOT be a nurse on duty. Be sure to bring any medication you might need.
• Be sure to bring bedding and towels. Bring a rain poncho, but let’s hope you won’t need it!
• High Peak Camp 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 nor corporate conference center. We will do everything possible to insure your comfort, convenience, and wonderful experience!

Camp Schedule

On Sunday, arrival day, the first scheduled event is a brief tour of the camp (optional) at 5:15 before dinner is served at 5:30 PM. After dinner there will be a gathering to get acquainted, answer questions, etc. You will get to meet the artists, and they will show you their talent and discuss what kinds of things they will be teaching during the coming week.

The specific class schedule will be distributed Sunday evening. Some classes may be called “Intermediate”, “Advanced”, or “Beginning”, and it’s up to you to decide which level of class is most rewarding for you. You may go to the same classes every day, or move around as you wish. In addition to classes in many instruments and fiddle styles, there will be classes in dancing, singing, ensemble playing, and maybe a few we don’t even know about yet!

On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday, there will be six class periods per day, three in the morning, three in the afternoon. It’s up to you to decide how many of the classes to attend – no one is expected to go to all six, but if you want to, you may. Thus, it’s also up to you to schedule your own free time for practicing, resting, etc.

Thursday will be a shorter class day, classes in the morning, with the afternoon free for other activities and just time off.  Thursday evening we hold the ever popular campers' "Talent/No-Talent" night.  Everyone is encouraged to participate!  Weather permitting, we'll march to the campfire and enjoy s'mores and jamming around the campfire.

Saturday, there will be abbreviated classes in the morning and the Campers Concert 2:00-5:00 in the afternoon.  This is the only event to which you can invite friends and family from the neighborhood who are not enrolled as campers. Saturday evening will be marked with end-of-camp celebrations.

Every evening (except Sunday & Thursday) will be filled with various organized jams, concerts, & dances.  Snacks are usually served at about 11:00 after the dance.  Jamming continues all night long!

As a reminder, those attending as Guardians are welcome to all meals and all evening events; however, they may not attend any of the daytime classes (unless accompanying a child). If you are registered as a Guardian but you decide you would like to attend any of the daytime classes, you may simply convert to camper status by notifying Mark Luther and paying the difference ($125).

Other information about RMFC

High Peak Camp is available to us starting at 2:00 PM Sunday, August 5, through Noon Sunday, August 19. Please do not arrive sooner nor leave later.

Announcements of schedule changes, other events, etc., will be made daily. The form of communication will be postings and/or printed announcements available at lunch or dinner; shouted announcements will be kept to a minimum. Please find and read the announcements every day.

There is one pay phone at camp. The number is 970-586-9890. You may receive calls at that number if no one else is on it and you are there to pick up the phone. Emergency calls to you should be made to 970-586-3311. Cellular coverage is not known -- maybe you can help us find out?

We now have a wireless network.  Bring your wireless equipped laptop for internet access.  Otherwise, internet access is available at the Estes Park library, about 10 miles away.  If you have an urgent need to access email, you can likely borrow someone's computer at camp.

The mailing address for the camp is High Peak Camp, 7075 Highway 7, Estes Park, CO 80517. 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.

Sound Policy:  In general, the dorms, cabins, 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!

Volunteer Positions

These positions are unpaid, but we sure appreciate your help if you can offer it! If you can be a Greeter, handle a house guest, or help with driving, please email us or call 303-753-6870 and let us know. If any expenses are involved, you will be reimbursed. For the other positions, please simply go up to the relevant party and offer to help! Thanks!

Greeters– If you plan to arrive at camp by 3:00 PM Sunday, August 5 or 12, we could use your help as a Greeter. You would show arriving campers to their dorms & cabins, help them carry their luggage, and show them around camp. Campers will be arriving from 2:00 PM to whenever. When the airport bus arrives, there is a surge in demand for Greeters, so please help if you can!

House Guest Saturday night? – If you live in Denver, perhaps you could help us house the artists who will be arriving Friday and Saturday prior to camp. Do you have a spare guest room?

Drivers – Again for Denver residents, if you have a car and some flexibility, we could use your help driving artists and campers to and from the airport when their schedule does not allow them to take the camp bus. In some cases, compensation could be provided.

Sound System Helpers – While there will usually be someone to monitor the sound system in the evenings, she/he may occasionally want to take a break, from 5 to 55 minutes. If you have some interest or experience with this, we could use your help.

Camp Store Helpers– The Store Manager may often need some assistance, especially when things are busy. Please let her/him know if you could help out.

General Helpers– If you see Mark (or anyone else) hauling chairs, setting something up, taking something down, cleaning up, whatever, and you are nearby and not hurrying to someplace else, he/they would greatly appreciate your offer to help!

Scholarship Committee – The RMFC Scholarship Fund (RMFCSF) now exists; the chairperson is Sally Luther. If you would like to volunteer, please contact her at Neumluth@aol.com.

RMFC Work-Trade Job List

If you are interested in any of these jobs, please contact Mark Luther. The jobs will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to qualifications and suitability. These jobs would be best handled by a non-playing Guardian, not a camper. If a camper were to take any of these jobs, she/he would probably miss out on a lot of the musical activities. Each job is available each week.

Accountant/Bookkeeper - Someone who is detail-oriented is needed to collect checks for bus fare, room upgrades, and instrument rentals, and handle other matters of an administrative nature with minimal supervision. The compensation would be $250 off your tuition. When you apply, please provide a brief (one or two sentences) description of your background and/or experience in such matters.

Rental Instrument Manager - We have several rental instruments which have been reserved in advance by various campers.  These need to be distributed on Sunday night and collected Saturday night or Sunday morning.  We need a person to be in charge of this.  Compensation is one free rental instrument (worth $40) or a $40 credit at the camp store.

Reasons you may need to contact the Camp Director. Please contact Mark Luther immediately if any of the following applies to you:

• If you plan to ride the camp bus to or from the airport, please send complete details of your arrival and departure flights, if you haven’t done so already.
• If you are a vegetarian and plan to eat the vegetarian diet (and didn't so designate on your registration form).  We need you to decide for the entire week; it's hard to plan if campers "switch" during the week.
• If you need the camp to rent an instrument for you and you haven’t notified us recently.
• If you do NOT want your contact information published in the camp roster.
• If you have any other questions or information you would like to bring to our attention.