Frequently Asked Questions About Our Summer Camps

We hope to find the best place for all of our students!

Our summer camps (Band, Choir, Musical Theatre, Piano and Strings) for students in grades 5-9 are for students who enjoy music and are looking to continue to make music over the summer. Students do not have to audition for these camps and can expect structured rehearsals, sectionals, and social activities. If you have an incoming 4th grader who has vocal experience and/or has played their instrument for 9 months or more and you would like to discuss their participation in camp, please call 440-826-2482.

The Conservatory Summer Institute (Choral, Keyboard, String, and Wind+Percussion Institutes) is a rigorous summer program for high school students looking to advance their artistic growth. Students should expect rehearsals, sectionals, classes, private lessons, and extra responsibilities such as practicing independently.

Any serious dancer in grades 7-12 is eligible for Dance Immersion. Students will be placed in classes based on their individual ability level. While we will have a lot of fun during the Dance Immersion, interested students should be prepared to work hard and spend most of their time dancing.

All meals will be at the Strosacker Student Union. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are available at every meal. No nuts of any kind are available at any meal. Please note specific allergies on your medical forms and we will connect you with the university’s dietician. We will do our absolute best to accommodate within reason, but if there are significant dietary restrictions, students are encouraged to bring their own approved meals and snacks. A special freezer and refrigerator is available to store approved meals and also available for student use.

Please call 440-826-2482 with any questions.

All campers will be supervised by our trained counselors and educational faculty. Counselors are present in each dorm hallway in the evenings and overnight and are available in case of emergency. Level of direct supervision varies by program and age level. If you have questions, please reach out to 440-826-2482 or Request More Information.

A full packing list will be sent to you before the start of camp. We suggest students pack comfortable clothes, closed toe shoes and bring layers, as they will be both outside and in an air-conditioned building.

Campers may want some spending cash for the week for snacks or other evening activities. Most students will spend less than $25 during the week.

All residential students will need twin XL bedding and towels.

Campers staying for both morning and afternoon camps have a supervised lunch period. Full-day campers should bring lunch, a drink, and two snacks. Half-day campers should bring one snack. All campers should bring a closed, reusable water bottle; water-filling stations are available. 

BW camps have a nut-free policy. All snacks and lunches must be entirely nut-free. There is no refrigerator or microwave. An allergy-free table is available. 

Camps are for students ages 6–11. Students should be within the indicated age for the camps chosen during the week in which they are participating. We believe participating in the age-appropriate camp is important because: 

• The quality of camps remains higher if we stay true to the ages as content can be geared toward each age group more appropriately. 
• Participating campers are closer to the same age socially and have a better chance of making new friends. 

CAS provides tuition assistance through the Nord Family Foundation and Nordson Corporation Foundation for Lorain County Residents.

If you are not a Lorain County resident and are interested in tuition assistance, please contact our office at cas@bw.edu.

For 2024 camps, multiple registration discounts will end on March 1, 2024. Registration will close on May 18, 2024.

There is no audition to participate in our Summer Camp. There may be a hearing placement to determine your student’s appropriate ensemble. Please read below to get information about your student's camp of interest.

Music Theatre Camp: Students will be taught a brief vocal and dance selection on the first day of camp. No video submission is required.

String, Choir, Piano and Band Camp: Campers are required to submit a one-minute recording of a piece, excerpt, etude, or exercise that they have studied and/or performed when they complete their camp registration. This selection should authentically showcase the student’s ability on their instrument. These videos should be uploaded to YouTube and the link can be shared via the supplemental form in your registration.

No, you may complete your student's registration to secure their spot at band, musical theatre piano, choir, or string camp before submitting their placement recording.

For 2024 camps, students must upload their recording no later than May 18, 2024.

Campers are placed into ensembles based on instrument or voice type and ability. To provide an equal opportunity and to create a successful learning environment, we will use the placement recording to find the best ensemble for your student. In addition, we will help foster social growth as your student makes new friends during the week!

Families will receive important camp details via email starting a month before camp begins. Campers and families will also have the opportunity to meet camp staff and faculty in a virtual meeting before camp begins. Find more information on virtual orientation on your camp webpage.

Registration is between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Students will arrive in shifts, check-in, move into the dorms, and be dropped at recreation. More information about your camper's specific arrival time will be available closer to camp.

Families will receive specific instructions closer to the start of camp for drop-off and pick-up procedures.

Drop-off: 8:15 - 8:30 a.m.
Pick-up: 8:30 p.m.

Resident campers are paired with a student close to their age and usually in the same camp. Students can request a roommate but they are not guaranteed. For 2024, rooming requests are final on May 18, 2024.

Residential campers will be housed in BW dorms. This year, campers will be in Ernsthausen Hall. This dorm consists of double rooms with shared hallway bathrooms. It is air-conditioned.

The best time to contact your student for all programs is before breakfast or before bed. Students are permitted to carry cell phones, but cell phones are not permitted to be used during rehearsals.

The SAP camp office (49 Seminary St.) is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. during camp weeks. All items can be turned into the camp office.

There will be final performances on the last day of camp. More information regarding your camper's specific performance time will be provided closer to camp.

Choral, String, Wind+Percussion: While you do not need to audition for entry into CSI, an ensemble audition is required as part of your registration. This is used to place you in the proper ensemble. This can be a 2-minute excerpt of a piece that makes you feel your best! This video should be uploaded to YouTube and the link can be shared via the supplemental form in your registration.

Keyboard Institute only: Yes. In order to be considered for the 2024 Keyboard Institute, a completed video audition must be submitted by the registration deadline of June 1, 2024.

See our Helpful Hints for Auditions for more information.

For the 2024 Conservatory Summer Institute, registration deadlines are as follows:

• Choral: June 1, 2024
• Keyboard: June 1, 2024
• String: June 1, 2024
• Wind+Percussion: June 1, 2024

All necessary components, including your ensemble audition video, must be completed by this day.

No, you may register for CSI and return to upload your audition video anytime before the Institute's registration deadline.

You will receive important CSI details via email starting a month before camp begins. You and your family will also be asked to attend a virtual meeting before camp begins to meet CSI staff and hear about the program.

Check-in will be mid-afternoon on July 5. More information about your arrival time will be available closer to CSI.

There will be open time throughout the day in your schedule. You are permitted to have cell phones at any time EXCEPT during classes, rehearsals, lessons, or concerts.

The CAS office (49 Seminary St.) is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during camp weeks. All items can be turned into the office.

Institute Emphasis performances will be on July 12, 2024, and final Institute performances will be July 13, 2024. More information regarding your performance time will be provided closer to CSI.

Any serious dancer in grades 7-12 is eligible for the dance immersion. Students will be placed in classes based on their individual ability level. While we will have a lot of fun during the Dance Immersion; interested students should be prepared to work hard and spend most of their time dancing.

All dedicated, serious dance students with a willingness to learn are encouraged to attend Dance Immersion.

Immersion dancers will be divided into tracks based on their personal technical skill level. We want to ensure that every student is in the classes that will benefit the most and allow them their greatest opportunity for growth and fun!

Placement will be based on dancers’ video submissions as well as the placement classes dancers will take on the first day.

Placements are at the sole discretion of the Dance Immersion faculty.

Campers are under 24/7 supervision from professional staff members and faculty. Campers will be with Dance Immersion faculty or counselors throughout the day. A counselor will be present on each floor during the evening and overnight hours to make sure campers are safe and available in case of an emergency.

Dance Immersion students will live in a dormitory on the beautiful Baldwin Wallace University campus.

Dancers will be paired with a student close to their age. Students may request a specific roommate, but those requests are not guaranteed. Rooming requests must be submitted no later than May 18, 2024 to be considered.

A full packing list will be sent to you before the start of camp. Dancers will need to have appropriate dance attire and dance shoes for every day of the camp. We recommend packing layers since students will be both inside and outside.

The best time to contact your dancer is before breakfast or before lights out. Students are permitted to have cell phones, but they are not permitted to have them during class or rehearsal time.

All meals and daily activities are included in the camp fee. Dancers will be able to purchase extra snacks and souvenirs each day if they desire. This is at the parent's discretion and CAS is not responsible for any money students bring to camp.

If your dancer forgets an important item you may contact the camp office and arrange a time to drop any forgotten items off.

All meals will be at the Strosacker Student Union. Vegetarian and gluten free options are available for each meal. No nuts of any kind are used in the kitchens during Dance Immersion. Please note all specific allergies on medical forms.

Specific first day schedules will be sent to you in the upcoming weeks. First day will include check in, move in, camper/parent meeting, and placement dance classes.

All dancers will be picked up at 3:00 p.m. on the final day. A detailed final day schedule will be sent out in the upcoming weeks.

Any questions about the Dance Immersion can be directed to Heather Dennen. Call (440) 826-2722 or email hdennen@bw.edu.