The Alabama FOLK SCHOOL
- PROMOTING LIFELONG LEARNING - PRESERVING CULTURAL HERITAGE
- The Alabama Folk School at Camp McDowell was founded in 2007 as a way to enrich lives and reconnect people to music, art, and each other. Our mission is to provide opportunities for people to work creatively with their hands, minds, and spirits while preserving cultural heritage. We do this by offering workshops in traditional folk arts such as dancing, storytelling, banjo, and fiddle as well as the homesteading practices of cooking, canning, and quilting.
- Located at the McDowell Camp and Conference Center, Alabama Folk School sessions take place amidst 1,140 acres of lush forest and fields, breath-taking scenery, waterfalls, and canyons. We offer workshops of varying lengths, from 1 to 4 days. Instruction times range from 4 hours for a day session to 21 hours for a 4-day workshop. Our small workshop sizes allow students to fully engage with their instructors in a meaningful way. Workshops are offered six times a year and subjects vary year to year.
During your visit, you may choose to stay in our comfortable, air-conditioned, hotel-style lodges in Bethany Village or our dorm style Bethany's Cabins and enjoy three delicious meals a day. You will be kept busy with the workshop of your choice, but will have plenty of time to explore the beautiful surroundings and enjoy the community that develops during each session.
Most of our workshops are intended for adults except Youth Folk Camp open to rising 5th-12th graders. Teenagers wishing to participate in adult classes can email afsregistrar@campmcdowell.org to request instructor permission.
What People Are Saying:
"So many things contributed to make the weekend very special. Camp McDowell is one of the nicest, cleanest, and most peaceful places we've ever stayed. The world-class musical instruction along with the lodging, meals, pop up workshops and mini classes, all combined for a rich experience without ever feeling rushed or I was missing out on anything. I have attended music camps before and found them to be a very restorative week. I was looking for something similar to share with my artist/art teacher wife. Mission accomplished! We found it to be one of the best times we've had together and fell head over heels in love with the place. The hard working staff and instructors were very professional and took great care to make us feel welcome and cared for. Also, so many of the other students were such a pleasure to be around and get to know. Having so many creative, artistic, and talented people in one place, even for just a few days, is a very special thing and I am so thankful the Alabama Folk School recognizes this. 10/10 would recommend!" - (2025 Old-Time Repertoire Student)