After hearing more and more about potential pranks at camp, I need to address the issue.  Pranks of any kind cannot be part of the "tradition" of band camp anymore. 

There has always been a fine line between what was an acceptable, fun, prank and what wasn't.  Different people have different ideas as it pertains to this.  The simple fact is I, as the director, must put the best interest and physical and psychological safety of ALL the students in the forefront.  I will consider any prank as bullying and it will be dealt with under school policy as bullying.  

Simply stated, pranks of any variety will no longer be acceptable at Pennfield Band Camp.


This will made repeatedly clear to students before we leave for camp, and again when we arrive.  Please contact me if you have any questions.

Preparations

Band Camp is fast approaching.  We leave a week from Sunday on July 15th.  It seems like it hasn't been that long since we got out of school but it has been nearly a month.  As some of you know, there is a lot of behind the scenes planning that goes into band camp.  The first thing I always do is hire the staff.  The past few years it has been easy since our staff remains nearly unchanged from year to year.  This year in fact, we have the exact same staff coming back as we had last year, including our band moms!  It'll be great to have such experience with us again at camp.  Let's just hope it cools off!  The next thing I worry about and stress over is the marching show itself.  Many of you know that it is a Stevie Wonder show this year.  The songs are:  Sir Duke, Superstition, and Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours. Chad wrote the drill for the first two songs before he joined the U.S. Air Force, and Mr. Rose is writing the last tune.  There are some neat things in each of the drills and I know you'll have a good time learning them.  The next piece is the paperwork, and that's where you come in.  Please be sure you have turned in your paperwork for camp, either early next week, or when you come to your Band Camp Boot Camp rehearsals.  You must have:

• Student Information Sheet
• Parent's Day Pick-up Form
• Physical Form, must be within the calendar year

 
These forms are available to print on your own from this website, click here.   If you take prescription medication, you will be given a form for each medicine for your parents to fill out and return before we leave for camp on Sunday.  

A Few Changes for this Year


Remember last year when we altered the schedule due to the heat?  I thought it was very successful to get out early in the morning and march together as a band rather than have sectionals first.  We are going to do that again this year.  Here is the revised band camp schedule for this year:


                                                         6:15 am--      Reveille

                                                         7:00 am--      Breakfast

                                             7:45 to 7:55 am--      Room Clean-up

                                             8:00 to 9:45 am--      Full Band Rehearsal

                                       10:00 to 11:00 am--      Sectional Rehearsal

                                   11:00 am to 12:00 pm--      Free Time

                                                       12:00 pm--      Lunch

                                             1:00 to 2:00 pm--      Sectional Rehearsal

                                             2:00 to 2:30 pm--      Squad Rehearsal

                                           2:30 to 2:55 pm--      Break

                                             3:00 to 4:30 pm--      Full Band Rehearsal

                                             4:30 to 5:30 pm--      Free Time

                                                         5:30 pm--      Dinner

                                             6:30 to 8:30 pm--      Full Band Rehearsal

                                           8:30 to 10:30 pm--      Evening Activity/Free Time

                                                       10:30 pm--      Taps (Lights Out)

Please notice a few items.  

1. Time in the schedule each morning to clean your rooms!  Rooms will be inspected daily by counselors and rooms that aren't clean will be cleaned during free time.
2. There is a Break from 2:30-2:55.  You will be expected to be relaxing during this time in a shady spot or doing something fun with other band members.  (this will also be known as Frisbee time)  

Cell Phone Use at Camp


I can tell you this.  I have lost sleep this summer thinking about just what to do with cell phones and band camp.  Banning their use just doesn't seem to work, and I don't have the time or energy to police the cell phone use anymore.  Our time can be best spent in other ways.  So, I'm going to allow cell phone use at camp under the following parameters (regulations):

1. All phones must be clearly labeled with a student's first and last name.  Use tape or some other method that will last throughout camp.
2. Phones will be powered off and checked in with counselors during Sunday night's activity time.
3. Phones will be checked in each evening and kept in a secure location with counselors.  They may be checked out each morning at a time designated by each counselor.
4. Phones will not be seen or used during any meal, rehearsal, sectional, or organized band activity.  This includes the evening activity of the band, which is meant to be a team-building and bonding activity.  Phones must be left in rooms during this time.
5. Common sense and courtesy is necessary in using devices that contain a camera.  Do not take pictures of anyone without permission, and do not invade personal privacy.
6. Phone charging must take place during the day and is the sole responsibility of the student.  Phones will not be kept overnight for charging.
7. Band Camp is a time for band interaction and team-building.  Students who isolate themselves consistently to talk or text may face additional limits on cell phone use.  
8. Parents should depend on cell phones for casual communication only.  Signals at camp can be weak, inconsistent, and sometimes even non-existant.  In emergencies, call the camp directly at 231-829-3421 and ask to speak to Mr. Driver.
9. If a staff member observes a student failing to follow the above rules, the phone will be confiscated for the remainder of camp (student removes and retains battery).  Students who do not check in a phone in with their counselor and use it "secretly" will face disciplinary action and consequences.  

This rule change is solely dependent upon you, the students, and if you cooperate with it.  If at some point during camp, I feel the band will be better served to not use the phones, I will not allow them to be checked back out.  I don't foresee this happening, but again, this depends on your cooperation.  I will not have my phone at meals, sectionals, rehearsals, or activities as well and I'm going to ask the band camp staff to do so with me.  


What to Bring (and what not to)

Required Items
Instrument
     -supplies (reeds, oil, etc)
     -flip-folder and music
     -lyre, 
            THE ABOVE ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE AT KEIFER'S MUSIC IN BATTLE CREEK
highliter and pencils
Low-top athletic shoes
     -NOT new
     -comfortable and fitting
-plenty of socks
Pillow and sleeping bag
2 towels
Soap and deodorant (lots of it)
             All joking aside, you MUST shower everyday at band camp.  If it is suspected that you are not, I will have that very uncomfortable conversation with you.  
baseball hat (or 2)
Sunglasses
Plenty of t-shirts

Non-required but recommended
Flashlight
Modest swimwear (if you choose to swim)
beach towel
A FEW snack items
Cards
Frisbee
sandals or flip-flops to wear when not rehearsing
mp3 player/ipod (only to be used in one’s room during free time, you may not walk around camp with earbuds!
Senior Hunt items
Your luggage must be a medium-sized suitcase or bag, plus your instrument, sleeping bag and pillow.

Between now and band camp


What should you do now, today, to get ready for camp?  I think you should get your instrument out and play it.  Play the fight song.  Play something you like.  Play something you know.  Make sure your instrument works correctly and is clean.  Go run around the block.  Get your blood moving through your veins!  Work up a sweat doing something.  There will be a lot of sweat at band camp which just makes it great!  Check with your parents and make sure you know the schedules for camp and boot camp next week.  It's all on the website.  Click each date for details on who is supposed to come.  

The last thing you can do is just think about band and band camp and why you're doing what you do.  Think of all who have marched before you and worn the Pennfield uniform.  If you are new to HS this year, welcome.  If you're returning to band, welcome back, and you know the feeling of pride when you've marched your best and performed for a grateful audience.  Discipline, pride, and tradition is what the Pennfield Band program has been built upon.  It's up to you now.  Band, are you ready?

Hello and I hope you're all having a nice summer!  

I decided to come back to the blog and see how it goes.  I kind of got into it for a while but then figured out that not too many of you were reading it.  If you do read this, please leave a comment.  I would like to know who reads and if you feel I say anything interesting.  :)  

Summer is a funny thing.  I have been home with the boys and Jennifer everyday since summer began.  It's fun to see them every morning and be a part of the morning routine.  They can be quite busy and a little grumpy (the boys, not Jennifer) each morning.  The key is to keep them busy and letting them know what's going to happen next.  They're not so good at transitions.  That reminds me of being a teacher.  You students always want to know what happens next and I am going to do better at keeping you informed of that this year.  Anyway, back to my summer thoughts.  Even though I'm home with the kids and Julie, my mind is always drawn to band things.  I'm always thinking about you all and how to make the school year better.  I read magazines about band.  I read facebook "band director" pages constantly, and I'm always messing with the band calendar to try to get the information out to you all in a more streamlined way.  I hope you are thinking about band, too!

I miss you all.  
See you soon,
From the podium,
Mr. Driver