Please refer to these FAQ’s for the 2022 season of band camp. Here is a link to find them on the website for easier printing.
Q: Where is band camp?
A: All rehearsals (Pre, Band, Post Camp, and Bonus Week) are at Lakota West Freshman Campus. Activities are also
planned throughout the week of full band camp. Please see the tentative schedule in the handbook for activity times and
locations. Handbook link. Any changes from this point will be made on calendar only. Calendar Link – This is the most up
to date resource. We may use Remind Text for last minute changes. Sign up for Remind Text Here.
Q: What are the drop-off & pick-up times?
A: Please refer to the rehearsal and activity schedule in the handbook or on the website.
For the Full week of Band Camp ONLY (7/25-7/29):
On Monday and Tuesday students will be on-campus from 8:30am – 9:30pm. The days include an afternoon break time
while remaining on campus.
On Wednesday, students will be excused at 5pm for the Mason Pool Party (7:30pm-10:30pm) you will need to transport
your student to and from the pool. Thursday, students will be released at 5:00pm and have a planned sectional break
time including dinner. These typically occur at one of the student’s homes that are on the Leadership Team.
Transportation should be arranged for your student to get to and from their sectional dinner.
On Friday, rehearsal runs 8:30am -5:30pm Students will need to be picked up at 5:30pm, and returned to Freshman
Building for the Lock-in at 8pm. Lock-in runs 8pm – 1am.
Q: What happens during bad weather?
A: All rehearsals will take place as scheduled. Accommodations have been made for indoor rehearsal space.
Q: Should my student bring his/her own water?
A: YES! All students MUST bring a full water jug with his/her name in permanent marker to EVERY rehearsal. A 64oz (half
gallon) jug is highly recommended. Plenty of cool water will be provided for refilling jugs at the field.
Q: What if my student is sick?
A: Illnesses should be reported to the student’s section leader prior to the start of rehearsal. (Alternates will fill your
place so get back on your feet as soon as possible!) Please use caution as students are still susceptible to Covid. If you
suspect your student is ill, please test them and keep them home to prevent the spread of infection.
Q: What are the plans for lunch/dinner?
A: Please refer to the rehearsal and activity schedule in the handbook or on the calendar on the website.
For Pre-Camp: Students arrive daily at 1:00pm, please make sure to have lunch before you arrive. Dinner is 5-6:00pm
daily. Students must bring their own packed dinner or parents can park their cars and deliver dinner to their students. For
safety purposes, please do not pull your vehicle up to the doors or create a drop off line.
For Band Camp: Students will receive lunch at the freshman campus every day as well as dinner on Monday (Cane’s
Chicken) & Tuesday (Luigi’s). This is covered by your student activity fee. Wednesday students should eat before the pool
party, Thursday night is reserved for Section Dinners, and Friday is the lock-in so your student will eat at home.
For Post-Camp: Students arrive daily at 1:00pm, please make sure to have lunch before you arrive. Dinner is 5-6:00pm
daily. Students must bring their own packed dinner or parents can park their cars and deliver dinner to their students. For
safety purposes, please do not pull your vehicle up to the doors or create a drop off line.
For Bonus Week: Students arrive daily at 1:00pm, please make sure to have lunch before you arrive. Dinner is 5-6:00pm
daily. Students must bring their own packed dinner or parents can park their cars and deliver dinner to their students. For
safety purposes, please do not pull your vehicle up to the doors or create a drop off line. Pizza dinner will be provided to
the students on Friday night at the Parent Performance.
Note, we have accommodations for vegetarian, gluten-free, and peanuts or tree nut allergy. If anyone has a soy allergy that
is very difficult to plan around, they should pack their meals for band camp. The same goes for vegans. Students always
have the option to pack even when the meal is provided. Any questions contact bandcamp@lakotawestbands.org .
Q: Will there be section dinner as in the past (Band Camp week)?
A: Yes. However, a section dinner is only planned for Thursday (7/28). Section leaders will let students know what the plan
is for dinner. Plan to pick up at 5:00 to transport your student to dinner. Your student will be free for the rest of the
evening. Parents are encouraged to help with the section dinner. Section leaders are coordinating this so please talk to
your student and offer support for his/her section during this important team building activity.
Q: Is Breakfast important? Should I bring snacks?
A: YES! Eat a good breakfast.
– Good Breakfast options include: oatmeal, waffles, pancakes, bagels, low-sugar cereal, whole grain breads,
fruits, eggs, Peanut butter, lean bacon
– Many avoid milk due to the effects of the 90-degree heat
Q: What items should students bring each day?
A: 1. Full 64oz (half gallon) water jug. 2. Sunscreen 3. Hat 4. Sunglasses (optional) 5. Thick cotton socks & sturdy athletic
shoes (blisters await those who think thin socks are cooler) 6. Rain gear and/or large plastic bag for items brought to the
field. 7. Did we mention a 64oz water jug? 8. Instrument/music/flip folder & coordinates!! An addition is ear plugs for the
indoor rehearsals (only!)
Q: How can I reach my son/daughter during rehearsal?
A: Students take the field with cell phones off for long periods of time. In the event of a family emergency or urgent need
to contact your student, please contact camp coordinator Jen Best @ 814-969-1379. The director(s) will be notified
immediately who will have the student contact you. The same chain of contact should be used in-person, at the field.
Q: Is participation in band-building activities required?
A: Yes. Attendance will be taken.
Q: Are there additional fees during band camp for the activities or anything else?
A: All activities are paid from the student activity fee (band camp fees). A few dollars for snacks or drinks should be
plenty of pocket money. There are beverage vending machines at the Freshman building (if working). Sections will each
design and purchase a section shirt. Cost is usually $15-20. Individual and full band pictures will be optional on picture
day (date is TBD). The cost for uniforms is only for the items that your student will keep. Show shirts ($68), drill masters
only if needed ($36), gloves ($3/pair), summer uniforms ($18), berets for sousaphone players only ($32), drum major
gloves ($4/pair) and polos ($35), color guard shoes ($39), and a small cleaning fee ($10).
Soaring Sounds is a DCI (Drum Corps International) show that the band will tentatively attend on the evening of 8/3. The
cost of the ticket and transportation will be paid for by the band, but there will be food trucks on site for dinner. Your
student will need to bring cash if they intend to eat.
Q: If something changes as far as time or location – where will the most up to date
information be?
A: Always check the website and calendar (on the band website NOT the calendar in CHARMS) for the most up to date
information. This handbook will not be updated to reflect changes once it is published. Subscribing to Remind Text is also
a good idea.
Q: I forgot to complete the Final Forms, is that important?
A: Final Forms MUST be completed before Monday 7/18, or your child cannot participate. Information is in the
Handbook. Any questions contact president@lakotawestbands.org or LWUpbeat@gmail.com
Q: How do I know if I have signed up for all the ways to get updates?
- Charms – log into Charms and make sure all the parent emails and student emails are correct.
- Sign up for email newsletters and announcements from our website. NOTE, this is a two-step process. You will
receive an email with the subject line “Please confirm your subscription to LakotaWestBands.” You MUST confirm
your subscription by clicking ‘click here to confirm’ in this email. You are all set! Subscribe to Emails here. - Remind Text – Click here for information to sign up.
- Optional – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
Still have a question? Contact bandcamp@lakotawestbands.org