Youth summer camps

Ready to join us this summer? Complete the online registration form now to reserve your spot. Instructions for customizing your experience are included at the top of the registration form. Once registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email with arrival details, a packing list and your camp schedule. Register by May 1 for a $15 discount!

What type of camper are you?

Day campers 
Open to students entering eighth grade and above. Day campers commute to campus each day and do not stay overnight, but lunch and dinner are included. Total cost: $425. Non-refundable deposit (applied to total cost): $150

Overnight campers 
Open to students entering ninth grade and above. Overnight campers stay in supervised residence halls for the duration of camp and receive all meals, including breakfast. Total cost: $750. Non-refundable deposit (applied to total cost): $300.

Keeping camp costs affordable

The Lionel Hampton Music Camp charges only enough to cover expenses and does not make a profit. Faculty members donate their time to make camp more accessible and are dedicated to providing the most affordable option for young musicians.  

• Day campers pay an average of $5.90/hour, including lunch and dinner.
• Overnight campers pay about $5.68/hour, which includes an additional meal and supervised housing.

We offer scholarship support when available, but funding is limited. Please reach out if cost is a concern — we want to support as many students as possible. 

Camp pricing breakdown

Campers can choose between two options:

• Overnight campers: Stay in supervised university residence halls for six nights (Sunday to Saturday).
• Day campers: Commute daily to campus and participate fully in all events and meals except breakfast.

Housing preferences are confirmed during registration. All campers — regardless of option — receive meals in the campus dining hall and participate in the same instructional programming.

Housing, dining and travel information

The Lionel Hampton Music Camp runs June 21–27, 2026, offering full days of rehearsals, instruction, elective courses and evening activities.

To assist in your travel preparations, use the schedule overview below. Some aspects of the schedule may need to be altered more as we adjust to the number of campers, but this will not affect travel plans. Parents and guardians will need to stay with their students through the noted times, and the arrival schedule on Sunday and departure schedule on Saturday will not be altered by more than an hour in either direction. There are concerts and activities every night, including Sunday at 7 p.m. Day campers should be picked up at 8 p.m. every evening. All students who register for the camp will receive a finalized schedule in an email after registration closes on June 12.

• Sunday, June 21 – Arrival and orientation start at 10:30 a.m.
• Monday, June 22 – Friday, June 27: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with 7 p.m. recital.
• Saturday, June 27 - Morning concert starts at 10:30 a.m., final concert starts at 1 p.m., students released by 3 p.m. 

View full schedule overview

Each camper will participate in:

• Two large ensembles
• One chamber ensemble
• The Hamp’s Camp Combined Ensemble
• Optional elective courses and master classes

Ensemble placements are based on student preferences and experience level, and our schedule accommodates students with multiple musical interests. Campers work closely with faculty mentors throughout the week in both rehearsals and performances.

Hamp’s camp combined ensemble

This full-camp ensemble brings together all campers to perform a work specially composed or arranged by U of I faculty. Rehearsals occur daily and the ensemble closes the final concert on Saturday. Directed by Dan Bukvich, this is a highlight of the camp experience, offering students a chance to perform alongside their instructors and mentors. 

The band program offers daily rehearsals, sectional coaching, master classes and performances. Students will prepare concert repertoire with University of Idaho band faculty and studio professors.

Large ensemble options:

• Concert band
• Hamp’s Camp combined ensemble

Chamber ensemble options:

• Brass quintet
• Brass choir
• Woodwind quintet
• Saxophone quartet
• Percussion ensemble
• Like-instrument groups (e.g., trumpet ensemble, flute choir)

All instrumentalists can also choose to participate in a variety of jazz groups. 

Vocal students participate in energized rehearsals focused on vocal technique, musicality and performance skills. Each camper will engage in fun, energized and intensive daily rehearsals of a variety of choral repertoire, culminating in concert performances Saturday.  

Large ensemble options:

• Mixed chorus
• Hamp’s Camp combined ensemble

Chamber ensemble options:

• Chamber choir
• Vocal jazz combo 

The jazz program provides a space for instrumentalists and vocalists to rehearse, perform and explore improvisation with guidance from U of I’s jazz faculty.

Large ensemble options:

• Jazz ensemble / Big Band

Chamber ensemble options:

• Jazz combos (open to all instruments and voice types) 

String students work with dedicated string faculty in orchestral and small ensemble settings. Rehearsals focus on building ensemble awareness, technical growth and musical expression. In addition to working on fantastic string music, students will be challenged each day to improve at their instruments and learn new ways to think about music. 

Large ensemble options:

• String orchestra

Chamber ensemble options:

• String quartet
• Piano trio
• Like-instrument ensembles (e.G., Cello choir, etc.)

All string players can also choose to participate in various jazz groups. 

Pianists have a unique opportunity to balance solo study with ensemble work. The piano studio includes chamber collaborations, jazz combos, private instruction and master classes with faculty.

Large ensemble options:

• Piano master class
• Jazz ensemble
• Hamp’s Camp combined ensemble

Chamber ensemble options:

• Piano trio
• Multi-piano ensemble
• Jazz combo 

• Dates: July 13 – Aug. 2, 2026
• Location: Hartung Theater, University of Idaho
• Schedule: Monday – Friday
• Performance dates: Aug. 1 – 2 (each group performs twice)
• Ages: 7 – 14
• Groups:
  • The Merry Folk (morning session): 8 a.m. to noon
  • The Sherwood Foresters (afternoon session): 1 – 5 p.m. 

• Fee: $375 per camper through Feb. 28
• After Feb. 28: $400 per camper
• Includes: All instruction, rehearsal materials, camp t-shirt and production costs
• Payment: Due at time of registration. If you have questions or concerns regarding payment, please contact Monica Pine.  
• Capacity: Limited to 60 participants — register early to secure a spot 

No audition or prior theatre experience is required. Campers just need curiosity and enthusiasm!

1. Complete the online registration form
2. Submit the full payment online 

Throughout the three-week camp, participants will:

• Rehearse and perform in a fully staged production of Robin Hood
• Practice acting, dancing, voice and movement
• Learn backstage skills like costume-making, prop construction and set design
• Build confidence and teamwork through daily activities
• Perform for live audiences in their group’s two public shows at Hartung Theatre