One of our most popular workshops is back with great bluegrass music classes and Gee's Bend quilting. This four-day workshop provides a truly immersive experience with a fun and enthusiastic community of musicians and artists. This year join us for bluegrass music classes, famed Gee's Bend quilting and more!

REGISTER FOR A CLASS HERE

Read About Classes & Instructors:

• Gee's Bend Quilting - Mary Ann & China Pettway
• Mandolin I - Jason Bailey
• Mandolin II - Thomas Cassell
• Fiddle I - Robbi Podrug
• Fiddle II - Becky Buller
• Banjo I - Jack Hatfield
• Banjo II - Ned Lubereki
• Dobro - Roman Locklear
• Guitar - Jake Eddy
• Blacksmithing - Brady Jackson

Lodging and Meal Accomodations

Bethany’s Kids Camper Buddies is an incredible opportunity for youth to experience and learn about leadership and servanthood. During the Bethany's Kids Camp session, each camper with special needs is thoughtfully partnered with a Camper Buddy who stays with the camper throughout the session and assists them throughout the session to help them have the best experience possible. Camper Buddies go through special training and are mentored throughout the session by the session counselors and adults. The mission of Bethany’s Kids is to establish understanding, acceptance, and care between young people of varying abilities.

• Ages: Entering 10th graders – high school graduates
• Cost: $350

BETHANY'S KIDS VIDEO REGISTER ADDITIONAL FORMS

Bethany’s Kids is a 3-night inclusion camp for children with AND without exceptionalities that fall within Camp McDowell’s scope of care. The session is staffed by camp counselors, nurses, and other adult professionals, and Camper Buddies. The session takes place in Bethany Village, an area designed and equipped for people with special needs. The mission of Bethany’s Kids is to establish understanding, acceptance, and care between young people of varying abilities.

• Age: Entering 4th-8th graders with AND without disabilities
• Cost: $350

BETHANY'S KIDS VIDEO REGISTER ADDITIONAL FORMS

Join us for Youth Folk Camp - our only Alabama Folk School Workshop designed just for rising 5th-12th graders. Youth Folk Camp is a unique combination of summer overnight camp and folk school instruction in music, pottery, painting, and more! Campers may choose one major and minor class for the workshop, all taught by master musicians and artists. Some experience with violin, guitar, or banjo is required for music class majors. Beginner students may select music classes as their minor.

• Ages: rising 5th - 12th graders
• Major areas of study:
• Farming with McDowell Farm School
• Painting with Susie Caffey
• Fiddle with Carter Laney
• Banjo with Bailey Hill
• Guitar with Ben Ayers

Register for Youth Folk Camp

Quilters and blacksmiths pursue their work in an encouraging atmosphere while music students fully immerse themselves in old-time classes, their days and nights filled with instruction from master musicians, jam sessions, and an instructor concert. Afternoon mini classes give all participants a chance to take part in learning something totally new. With more than 1,140 acres of forest consisting of breathtaking canyons, waterfalls, miles of hiking trails, and glistening streams, there’s plenty of exploring to do during your free time. Take a hike, go canoeing, or pick a porch and rocking chair to relax.

REGISTER FOR A CLASS HERE

Read About Classes & Instructors:

• Jimmy Triplett - Repertoire
• Evan Kinney - Banjo I
• Paul Brown - Banjo II
• Esther Morgan-Ellis - Fiddle I
• Judy Hyman - Fiddle II
• Jeff Claus - Guitar
• Beverly Smith - Singing
• Mick Kinney - Mandolin
• Brady Jackson - Blacksmithing
• Mary Ann & China Pettway - Gee's Bend Quilting
• Nature Drawing - Val Webb