Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp

Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
International Blue Lake group on stage in Germany
Motto
Anthem of Blue Lake - "From Canterbury Lane"
TypeClassical and contemporary music school
Established1966
FoundersFritz & Gretchen Stansell
Location
Twin Lake, Michigan
Websitewww.bluelake.org

Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp is a Michigan nonprofit organization located in the Manistee National Forest that provides summer fine arts camp and international exchange programs in music, art, dance, and drama.

The Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp was founded as a non-profit organization in 1966 by the Stansell family, who remain the multi-generational proprietors of the institution.[1] The camp is located on approximately 1200 acres in the Manistee National Forest in Michigan. It can host 4500 [2] 5th through 12th grade students across several 12-day sessions each summer.[3] It operates FM radio stations[4] locally and in Grand Rapids that are National Public Radio affiliates.[5]

For Central campers, several options for fine arts are offered, including theater, band, choir, art, dance, and many others. Campers may also choose from many options for minors, such as conducting or team sports. In addition to the Central camp, there is the more relaxed Bernstein camp for younger students in grades 5th through 8th. Bernstein campers may choose between orchestra and band for their concentration.[6]

Blue Lake also offers adult camp programs. Like the youth programs, adult campers take part in daily instruction on their instrument as well as ensemble rehearsals. Access to the camp's recreational, elective instructional, and regular concert programs is available to all ages as well.[7] Adult musicians may either stay on Blue Lake property in campers or tents in the Niblock campground, or find accommodation at local hotels.[8]

  1. ^ Journal of the Senate of the State of Michigan, 1991 p.1414, Senate Resolution 253 of 1990
  2. ^ Internationalidssmf Association for Jazz Education, Jazz Education Journal, 2001, NPN
  3. ^ Instrumentalist Magazine, Volume 57, 2003, NPN
  4. ^ Bidgoli, Hossein, The Internet Encyclopedia, Volume 2, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken NJ, 2004, P.677
  5. ^ Blue Lake website, http://www.bluelake.org
  6. ^ "Art Summer Camp (Grades 5-12)".
  7. ^ Strings Magazine, volume 3, String Letter Corp, 1988, p. 57
  8. ^ Sean Meade