BACDS American Dance and Music Week — June 28–July 3, 2015 BACDS American Dance and Music Week, June 28–July 3, 2015

Registration Information and Details

Camp Was WONDERFUL!

but now it's in the past. Keep an eye on this page for announcements about next year's camp!

Here's the information for our most recent camp:

Camp Is SOLD OUT

Registration applications are still accepted for Full Fee campers for tent camping or off-site, with a waiting list for cabin bunks and all Sliding Scale campers.

Register now and select "Tent" or "off-site" as your housing choice, and get in now. Or select "Shared Cabin" as your housing choice, and we'll put you on our short waiting list.

Sign up now to join our short waiting list.
There are always last-minute cancellations for various reasons. We'll call you if a space opens up for you before camp starts.

Registration Is Now Open

There's still room at camp! Sign up now for one of the best deals anywhere.

Register online, or print the registration form and send it by mail. You can pay by mailing a check after registering online, or print the registration form and mail it with a check, or pay online with a credit card via PayPal.

Registration Opens Soon!

You'll be able to register online, or print the registration form and register by mail. Payment can be made online with a credit card at the same time as registering online, or by check via mail whether you've registered online or by mail with your payment.

The full camper fee of $675 includes room, board, and tuition. For campers 30 years of age and younger, and for unemployed or under-employed adults, we have a limited number of special sliding fee “Work-Trade” slots available based on the camper's age at the start of camp:

  • age 26-30: $375
  • age 23-25: $325
  • age 17-22: $275
  • age 13-16: $225
  • under-employed: $375 (any age)

All registration applications must be accompanied by the required minimum deposit of $150 or the full fee, and will be enrolled in order of receipt of payment. Please mail check or money order in US dollars drawn on a US bank, or use the online payment by credit card.

Because the start of camp is coming soon, at this date your registration must be paid in full. Please register online so that we know you're coming to camp, and either pay the full amount online with a credit card, or mail a check for the full amount immediately so that it gets to us at least 1 week before camp starts. and pay the full amount online with a credit card. There is no time for mail to reach us.

We reserve the right to refuse registration or admission to anyone whose behavior has been judged by the camp organizers to be disruptive, harassing, or dangerous.

Detailed camper information will be sent out in early May.

T shirt image

Register by May 28 and a FREE Camp T-Shirt is included in your registration! Dance gypsies will want to include this unique design in their collection.

Final payment is was due on May 28.

If final payment is not received by June 1, your registration may be canceled (and subject to the cancellation fee) and your slot offered to the next camper on the wait-list. Registration after May 28 must be paid-in-full online by credit card, in person by cash, or by mail with cashier’s or traveler’s check.

At this late date after the deadline, please pay your camp fee in full. We must receive your payment absolutely no later than 1 week before camp starts (that is, by June 21) when we must give the camp our final head count for food. If you are mailing a check, please hand-deliver it or mail it in time to reach us by Friday June 19.

It's too late to mail a check for your payment. Please pay online using a credit card, or bring cash for the entire amount due.

If you are planning air travel, it may be helpful to know that camp is a little less than a one hour drive from either the San Francisco or San Jose, CA, airports. Many airlines fly into one or both airports which are equally convenient, so airfare and schedule convenience can be your guide. The Oakland airport is the other Bay Area airport, and may be an option for you if you are planning to spend extra time here before and/or after camp.

The camp program begins with dinner 5:30pm Sunday, June 28. Campers can begin arriving at camp after 3:00pm. Unless you are signed up to help with setting up camp, you may not arrive at camp prior to 3:00pm.

Work-Trade Campers: If you are assigned setup chores (see your detailed information which will be sent in May), you must arrive at camp no later than 1:00pm to help with camp setup. Please make sure your travel plans allow you to arrive at camp on time to fulfill your commitment.

All cancellations incur a minimum $30 fee. $150 will be retained for cancellations received after April 25. $400 will be retained for cancellations received after June 1. The entire registration fee will be retained for cancellations received after June 15. To protect your investment, you may wish to consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance.

Only full-time registrants will be accepted. Participants 13-17 years old are welcome if accompanied by a responsible adult (with signed approval of parent or legal guardian). Smoking is not permitted in any area of the site, and pets are not allowed. Alcohol is prohibited on the YMCA grounds. The YMCA camp requires all campers to complete and submit a release form prior to camp.

In keeping with the community-building character of the American Dance and Music Week Camp, all campers are expected to contribute by performing light daily chores. For the health of all camp participants, please use fragrance-free personal hygiene products (provided by the camp). Detailed information regarding products provided, as well as those you might choose to bring yourself will be provided following your acceptance.

The new camp location and revised schedule allow for a greatly reduced camp fee, only $675. To encourage participation by younger campers and unemployed or under-employed members of our dance community, we have a sliding scale “Work-Trade” schedule. We ask all campers who are able to pay the full $675 camp fee to do so. But if that would make it impossible for you to join us at camp, please consider the sliding scale reduced fee, and take on additional chores (including helping with setup and take-down). The number of reduced-fee slots is limited, so please help us make camp possible by paying the full fee if you can.

Housing is dormitory-style cabins, each holding up to 12 people. For more privacy, you may wish to bring a tent and gear, and camp in the meadow or among the redwoods. Please indicate your housing preference with your registration. We're sorry, but semi-private rooms are not available this year as they had been in the past.

BACDS offers two other summer dance camps in 2015: English Week at Bishop Ranch near Healdsburg in Sonoma County, and Family Week at Foothill Horizons in Sonora at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Key Deadlines

  • December 1
  • Online Registration Opens
  • March 7
  • $150 Deposit Due
  • (All cancellations incur a $30 cancellation fee after March 7)
  • March 23
  • Notification of Acceptance sent by Registrar
  • April 25
  • $150 Cancellation Fee Retained after this date
  • May 28
  • Final Balance Due
  • $400 Cancellation Fee Retained after this date
  • June 14
  • No Refund upon Cancellation
  • June 28
  • Camp Begins!
Hey, 4 for 3
Register Now!

Transportation to Camp

[Picture of a Bus]

There is no shuttle service from San Francisco area airports to the dance camp. The Jones Gulch camp is inland from the coastal village of Pescadero, less than one hour driving time from either San Francisco or San Jose airports. You can also rent a car at either of the airports.

A private email discussion list is available to registered campers to share requests for and offers of transportation to or from camp, local housing before or after camp, etc.

If you indicate that you need a ride, our hospitality coordinator will contact you a few weeks before camp to arrange transportation with a local dancer.
I appreciate the friendliness of the BACDS organizers. Makes first timers feel welcome. [I] enjoyed the little extras—coffee bar, dress-up, costuming, etc.

- Craig Meltzner, Santa Rosa, CA