Arrowbear Music Camp

Between my 2 kids we have been coming to the Jazz sessionof Arrowbear Music Camp four years in a row. It is a «can’t miss.» A excellent experience and an excellent value! So glad we found out about it. The kids have a great time, get about 30 hours of music instruction and become noticeably better musicians in only a week. A 10 out of 10.

An outstanding camp that keeps in mind the balance between a demanding musical experience, and the regenerative, outdoor summer vacation experience that young people need. Run by highly caring individuals that have the best interest of the students at heart. Beautiful location. Great food!

I have been coming to this camp for almost twenty years. I started as an instrumental camper, then became a choral camper, then started counseling, now I help run some of the sessions. In short, Arrowbear is the single influence outside my family that has had the most impact on my life. It has shaped me into the person I am today and made me mindful of others, passionate about music, and far more thoughtful overall. Some of my closest and most valued friends come from Arrowbear, and Dennis, who owns the camp, is one of the most inspirational people I have ever met. The counselors and other staff members work at Arrowbear almost entirely because we love it and want to contribute to something we recognize as being exceptionally valuable. This means two things. First, the staff is there for the right reasons – to create a safe environment for people to form lasting and positive relationships and to learn about music, the outdoors, and themselves. Second, Arrowbear is a bargain for how much you get in the week, ten days, or three weeks you are there. Many other camps are far more expensive than Arrowbear, but this is not because they are better. If you are considering coming to this camp or sending your child to this camp, do it. Even if you go just once, you’ll have lasting memories of the session. But odds are if you go once, you’ll continue to make Arrowbear a part of your life for many years.

I can’t even begin to describe the importance of Arrowbear Music Camp. It was an incredible experience for the 7 summers I camped and the 2 that I counseled, incomparable to anything else I have done. This camp helped shape me into a more honest, caring and self-​reflective person as well as increased my love for music and friendship. I would recommend this camp to absolutely everyone!

I attended Arrowbear both as a camper, for seven summers, and as a counselor, for one summer. I can honestly say that my experiences there helped shape me into the person I am today.
There is nothing quite like practicing and performing with an orchestra outside in the mountains. The conductors are so passionate and great at what they do, their enthusiasm is contagious. There is also free time for other activities like hiking, swimming, games etc. The food is pretty good and accommodating to all diets and there are various snacks for purchase during breaks throughout the day. There are different sleeping area options, from an indoor cabin to bunk beds outside under the stars. The camp directors and counselors really go out of their way to make sure everyone feels included and comfortable and it is that sense of belonging that really makes Arrowbear a special place.
Without a doubt I will send my future children to this camp and I highly recommend you do the same!

Arrowbear Music Camp was a huge influence in my life. I attended for a few summers in the 1990s. While the music was wonderful, there are so many other reasons to attend.
The camaraderie was the primary reason I attended. The people were kind, considerate and tons of fun. We laughed and talked for hours and really bonded. The staff and counselors made sure everyone enjoyed their time at camp.
The values were also very important to me. Arrowbear music camp enforced kindness to people, animals and the world around us. We sang songs that uplifted us and made us think. We were reminded to treat people as we would want to be treated.
Life is sweeter and gentler up the hill. The food was great, sleeping under the stars is unforgettable and the music will stay with me forever.
Arrowbear, Arrowbear
We’re so happy to be here
Where we share with those who care
Music and friendship so dear
Mountain air magic fills heart and soul
Clear bright skies, so blue
Arrowbear, Arrowbear
We’ll be sorry to leave you

For a place that had such a huge impact on my life, it’s hard to know where to begin. I guess I can start with the facts. Arrowbear offers sessions for elementary, intermediate, and advanced musicians every summer. In addition to the instrumental sessions, there are also choral and jazz improv sessions. The camp is located in the San Bernardino mountains, with beautiful views and somewhat rustic facilities. Most of the day is spent rehearsing and making music, but there is also free time for hiking, swimming, and other outdoor activities. Unlike some other music camps, Arrowbear really is a camp, not a resort, so rehearsals and most other activities are outdoors. Surprisingly to some, the food is actually very good for camp food, and there are always vegetarian and vegan options. The camp also recycles and composts. The summer music tradition at Arrowbear began in 1942 when Fred Ohlendorff took the Long Beach Honor Orchestra here for a week, and students have come every summer since to make music together. Tuition is still fairly affordable compared to other camps, and scholarships are available.
The focus of the camp is to create a healthy, fun atmosphere for anyone who wants to come to the mountains and make music with others in a beautiful natural setting. The philosophy is that the musical experience is enhanced by the social connection between all the campers. This is definitely true. Coming here is a very intense experience emotionally and socially. A lot of time is spent ensuring that everyone gets to know each other, free of cliques and popularity issues, and that individuals treat each other with respect. It has such a lasting impression on people that most stay involved with camp long after graduating from high school, either through counseling at camp, participating in work weekends, or coming back for reunions.
Arrowbear gave me a huge family of close friends that have been in my life ever since. My first summer was almost 20 years ago, and my closest friends to this day are almost all people who came into my life through camp. I went to a lot of other summer camps, but none could compare to the experience at Arrowbear.
Highly recommended if you want to send a kid to summer camp; your kid will not only learn a lot, make friends, and put on a quality concert at the end of camp, but he or she will hopefully come back a better person as well.