Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp Review

Daughter is an art major, been so for 3 years and it's been great! Ten outta ten

Rats lived under my bed. My friend suffered a concussion there. Food was terrible. You don't learn much. Definitely not worth 1000$ . DO NOT GO!

I loved it there it can get cold in the cabins tho and the food isn t great but they do always have flurry s and chips. (Rip peace tea) it s really great though

I've been going here for years and it is life changing! I have improved not only as a musician but also as a person. This is my favorite place in the world

Life-changing. Send your artsy kids to this camp and you won t regret it.

When First Arrived At BLFAC I was excited. I went to Bernstein and i played Bass Clarinet. I went to session 1 and was in the cabin Barber. A kid from my school was in the same cabin as me. The 12 days went by really fast and i made so many freinds. The theater minor teacher was very rude and gave me a one line part when i went there to act not say sit down or whatever the line was. I made so many friends. The food is just food but i mostly at veggies while i was there.

I recommend this camp to any child. Its is certainly worth the cost. I would pay the extra money to go to central camp insted of berstien because you have more minor choices and have more freedom. If you child does not eat alot of meat i recommend them to be a veggitarian. If you go to Bernstein DONT Chouse theater as your minor.

Our oldest has attended twice! This year, we'll be taking two young musicians to Blue Lake! Great lessons in more ways than one!

I cannot give BLFAC enough praise...it is my absolute favorite place in the world and I get homesick just thinking about it...I went for the first time last year and I enjoyed it so much. The staff is amazing, the environment is very positive and the scenery is phenomenal. The only bad things about it are the food and the Health Lodge...the food wasn t bad to the point where you couldn t eat it, it was just not the greatest, the water was probably the worst part, so i survived on PeaceTea, the Health Lodge didn t believe that my foot was fractured and so they didn t give me another wrap. I was placed Jackson in Dolce and I really enjoyed the nature i had to walk through to get to my classes. I was an alto im the SSA choir with Mr. Cummings and he is a fantastic teacher. I made so many friends that I look forward to seeing again this year (we signed up together). It was such an amazing experience...thank you so much Blue Lake

Best camp ever! I loved it so much and am planning to come back this summer. So much fun. I have made friends and still kept in touch with them since. Although it was scary at first and rehearsals were long, it ended up being great! Highly recommend!

Great place for fine arts kids to spend a few weeks.

My daughter Has attended camp here for the last two years and absolutely had a fabulous experience. She learned a lot, Gained independence and made tons of new friends She plans to go back again next summer

I loved blue lake! I went there in 2017 and it was so much fun. I m going again this year and I m sure it will be awesome!

I called trying to get some information on my daughter's stay at camp and final day. First, I found the info on the pre-prepared online documents (Final Sunday and otherwise) to be inaccurate. The correct info would've been good to know before mailing her a package she now may not get. Also, currently unable to purchase the final day parent lunch online, and it's too late to mail the order form. Also, I was told the 300 E. Crystal Lk. address is incorrect or not the 'good' pickup address, which is 7800 Russell - I don't see that info ANYwhere in the available online documents in the ACCESS pages. Good thing I called?? Speaking of which, I had some specific questions about my daughter and was told the cabin counselor would call me back within 2 hours, possibly with my daughter on the line as well. I have yet to receive a callback. She might be having a great time, happy and healthy... but I have no way to know (until after), and at this rate I'm pretty disappointed with the inaccuracy of info I've seen and been told. For the price of this camp, I would like to think that the value would be more than just the 'prestige' & that they'd have their ducks in a row a little better.

This camp is a family favorite. My kids ask to go to camp year round. The music is station is amazing!!

Our daughter went to Blue Lake for the first time in 2016. When we dropped her off, she was nervous. When we picked her up, 11 days later, she told us she had signed up for the international program. ( I suggested we sell the house at that point.) The program is great, top notch. This year, she's touring with a group in Italy and France. They stay with host familes, work hard on their music and have fun in their free time. I think Blue Lake is great for any kid who is serious about music/ art/ dance.
I highly recommend it! Plus the setting of the camp in Michigan and the surrounding area is beautiful.

Columbus, OH

My daughter loved it here. If you have a child that thinks playing four hours a day is the ultimate vacation this is the place for you! Students are exposed to bands and ensembles. Students come from all over North America to attend. Tune into Blue Lake Public Radio!

I love BLFAC so much. I just got back and right now I m campsick, missing all of the friends I made and my wonderful counselor. At first, you might be really homesick, but there will be people wanting to become your friend in your cabin, and will most likely not be homesick. Over time, if you goof off enough in your cabin, you will make many more friends. It might be tiring to go to 3 rehearsals everyday, but on the last day, where you have your concert, your music will most likely be one of your greatest camp accomplishments. If you do go to camp, I highly recommend that you go to the store, because when you get back home, you will always want to hug your souvenir. I am honestly still crying about the fact that I will probably never see my friends or counselor again, so I highly suggest that you come to Blue Lake.

The Rose Theatre is a lovely place to take in a play.

The best camp I ve ever been to. Despite the mediocre food and egg water, I wouldn t trade the experience for anything. I wasn t able to attend this year but I hope I m back next year.

Went a concert and had a marvelous time. Beautiful lakeside bandshell.

A lovely experience for the musicians. My daughter has been going for three years and going back again this summer.

Literally the best camp I ever went to! Food was good. Loved having free time and I learned more than I ever thought I could. If you're thinking about going, go!!!

My oldest child went there this summer and loves how they meet with professional instrument players. The theatre was a great minor for them.

Everything I learned here was already taught in my choir class. Not worth the price we paid.

A great summer camp experience. Cabins, food/cafeteria, and trails right out of the vintage parent trap movie. Add to that a great experience of the arts (theatre, band, art...). There are different sessions that you can register for. The setting is gorgeous with wildlife sightings. Some.of the most talented teachers from around the country. Very diverse group.of students and teachers. Highly recommend.

I have sent both of my sons there, and they had an amazing time. Not only did their music skills increase, but they made friends that they look forward to seeing at their next visit, or that they've kept in touch with when kids move on.

AWFUL HUGE SPIDERS AND THE FOOD SUCKS AND WAKE UP IN 6 AM AND LOTS OF WALKING AND DEATH AND 3 HOUR LONG PEACTICEA IN TOTAL PER DAY

This place is so bad, when I went there, I was jealous of the people that went to Auschwitz.

Last year was my first year at blue lake(2018) and Im going again this year. Last year the food was not great and the water tastes like eggs. I suggest to bring water and some snacks that you can enjoy.:)

I ve gone to blue lake twice and am planing to go a third time.If you get the chance to go here, do it.The place has flaws, but they are celebrated at camp. Everyone is welcome. And if you can t go because of money problems go to the blue lake website and apply for a scholarship. Definitely go to this camp! Don t worry if you don t live in Michigan, either. I ve had friends at blue lake from Chicago to California. Please, please go to blue lake.

My daughter said, all the teachers were very enthusiastic about music and helping the students. She went for a piano major and acting minor. She loved the acting, and next year wants to go back and major in Shakespeare. She feels she really got a lot out of her piano major as well, and one of the teacher's sought us out and told us how much she loved teaching our daughter. Loved her cabin mates and hanging out in her area with all the other girls. Make sure you pack warm pajamas and an extra blanket, because it gets cold at night. The food was typical camp food, some good, some bad. It was tough on us not to be able to talk to each other on the phone, but our reunion was very sweet.
As a parent I loved seeing her performances, and since she wants to go back next year, we definitely want to send her. I asked her how many stars to give Blue Lake and she immediately said five.

Amazing place! one of our children has been there for a session each year for the past 5 years. Orchestra directors and sectional instructors have excellent resumes. Great experience whether your child is very serious about their fine art or just wants to spend 10 days in a pine forest.

A great place for those who enjoy the arts. Practices could be a little long, but there are only 12 days for you to learn from instructors. Blue Lake does everything it can to teach people about their arts while enjoying time from home. People always complain about no phones but that doesn't matter. The camp food can be a little uneasy to the stomach but remember that they have to feed over 1000 people 3 times a day. Overall Blue Lake is an enjoyable experience for people wanting to learn the arts.

My daughter just finished up her first year here as a jazz major and she LOVED IT! She learned a lot, made new friends and memories and didn't even miss her cell phone. She was actually a little sad to leave. The food was "not great" according to her but she said she wouldn't take points away for it.

I love BFLAC! It's a great place to improve your skills in band, orchestra, dancing, art, etc.! It's worth going through the miles of sand, heat, and burritos!

Blue lake is great. I had a really good time and when it was time to leave i didn't want to go and say goodbye. I took many pictures with my disposable camera and meet many great people. I didn't want to say goodbye as i already said. The directors and the camp counselors were a big help on the 1st day. lots of smiles. The showers were hypothermia cold. If you wanted to take a shower you had to take it in the day time. Not at time time or morning. Around lunch would be amazing. The food was kinda gross but had some good items on the menu depending on the days. i would recommend bringing some water and snack to enjoy. Also if there is are any session 4 people it can get emotional because everyone is leaving not just the Guests (Students) who are leaving.

Greaaaaaaaaaaaat Time.

Great learning experiences, beautiful camp & the making of new friends.

It's a great camp for kids who love art and ready to spend 5 hours a day playing their instrument or doing art. It's located in a very nice place by the small lake. Be ready for lots of walking and staying in a simple cabin for 12 days. No cellphone allowed. Good instructors and decent food.
My child loves the place and just returned from her third year.

My daughter has had such a wonderful experience grown as both a person and musician.

I went to BLFAC in Session Four of 2015 summer. I was in Villanelle and it was amazinggggggggg;)))))))))))

Wonderful fine arts camp that allowed me to develop into a better musician. I loved playing saxophone and bassoon there and had a lot of fun making friends with my fellow musicians and cabinmates. Highly recommend!

A hardcore arts immersion camp- not for wimps! But if you love your major and artistic people, you'll love it. Beware, this is middle of nowhere, practicing for over 5 hours a day type stuff.

I feel as though a lot of the people who gave 1 star are children who were unhappy that they had to leave their phones behind, or students who weren't prepared for the amount of practice and work that comes with a fine arts summer intensive, and a few who just thought they were better at what they were majoring in than they really were, and were angry at their instructors for not seeing what wasn't really there. There is decent food, not the best, but it is a camp, the instructors are wonderful, and the days are a lot of hard work, but it's all worth it because if you put in effort, by the end of the session you will have grown tremendously as an artist.

I went to Blue Lake last year, and LOVED IT! I was majoring in Choir and found most of it challenging, and sometimes frustrating. But over all, it was so much fun! Not all my peers there were nice, and it wasn't always rainbows and sunshine, but it helped me grow a lot. Now I'm spoiled when it comes to good food, so the food there was GREAT! (Besides the taco in a bag. GROSS!) The staff was amazing and fun! I am going back this year for Piano! I suggest this for anyone who loves the fine, and performing arts! weather you are completely new, or very experienced!

I now have four kids there. 100% positive experience. I especially like the commitment of BLFAC to put their financial resources towards (a) extremely good faculty, and (b) keeping costs down for the kids (and parents). World class program, and affordable.

Our daughter had a great experience here the summer of 2013. Buying the apparel can be expensive and we were lucky to have a family member who gave us shirts. I have available 3 adult size Small shirts and 3 pairs of the dark blue shorts that girls must wear (just above the knee). I'm willing to ship them to anyone who needs them, I'd just like to "pay forward" the favor someone did for us that helped us save money. The shorts are all size 4, except one is an 8---the 8 must be a different style because our daughter wore all of them. If you're interested, email me at holmesrsvps at yahoo dot com. I'll hold onto them until at least May 2015 and then I'll most likely donate them to 2nd-hand shop.

Rustic lodgings but amazing music instruction and artistic environment

This is a fantastic fine arts camp. My daughter had an amazing time and has signed up to attend again in 2018. Definitely top notch and worth sending your kids.

I want to come,how much does it cost for the summer program

Our daughters third year there and she loves it. We feel confident in leaving her here for 12 days. The friends and memories she makes is priceless. Thank you Blue Lake

I loved it, you meet so many new people and lifelong friends there, and although it can be busy there's still a sense of relaxation there. 100% recommend it

Going to Blue Lake was one of the best times of my life. Ever since last summer, I've been excited to go again. The food and water are gross, but you have so much fun and make so many new friends that it doesn't even matter. When I came back, I played my trumpet again and realized how much I learned at this camp.

Camp has always been home for me. I know that I can go every year and feel accepted, make a ton of new friends, and learn a lot from the amazing staff there. The food can be suspicious, sure, but there's always salad and peanut butter and jelly. I love being in my cabins (even when mine were far away from main camp) , it's awesome to be so close to other people in a little home environment. Uniform code is easy to follow, staff is pretty laid back, and I'm excited to go for a fourth year this summer.

The Fine Arts Camp is very good. You learn a lot about your instrument and how to play it better. The criticisms are the cabins and toilet facilities. Most of them are from the eighties and nineties, which one feels and looks at. In addition, the water in the main building and on the main square tastes like eggs.

I really wish that my 12 days at BLFAC would be enjoyable, I was wrong.
Let's start off by saying that not all of BLFAC was horrible, but in my major (choir), I wanted to die.
I was 12 years old when I went to BLFAC, and I was very excited to learn more to advance my already extensive music theory knowledge. (I had private training) When I first arrived, my "audition" that all choir majors do when they first arrive. My voice hadn't changed yet, so, I was still a soprano. My judge attempted to mark my vocal status as a tenor. After inquiring about it, he responded "Most young men are put as tenors." I said that my range goes higher than most sopranos, and I should sing at my normal pitch. He tested my range (up to E-5) and did not like my tone, and marked it down as a 2 of 5. After sight reading a piece of music, he marked my sight reading the same thing. I was quickly dismissed. After the afternoon was over, I had my first rehearsal. I was glad to be a soprano, but I was anxious about what we were to sing. Bach? Mozart? Byrd? Howells? Britten? Yeah, more like contemporary crap. The music that was chosen was made for an elementary choir. The next day, after the tedious choir class, we had our first "tech" class. "Tech" was actually music theory, I was finally looking forward to something, but, of course, when I got there, we started learning about how to draw the treble clef. I was furious, luckily, my tech teacher allowed me to go on to the end of the theory packet, to continue learning about tetrachords. I found my only instructor friend in my tech teacher. He saw through my little boy facade, and really brought out my musical talent. He gave me top marks in everything. Later, I found out that the "Better" choir, was singing a piece, that my church sings when we have no other music, easiest piece ever. I was disgusted.

Forward to now (two years)

I have just finished singing as a soloist with two symphonies, and still have a 3+ octave range. I still hate BLFAC, and I do not recommend it to any decently talented musician.

P.S. I can deal with camp food, but this food gave me food poisoning.

Amazing experience. I went as an art major and the classes were awesome! The activities (E.G concerts) aren t the best, and the food is absolutely terrible, but the people there are amazing. I ve never felt more at home with a crowd of people than I have at blue lake. All this aside, a few tips I have for new campers, are to bring your own bottled water (at least a 24 pack) to last you the session so that you don t need to drink the egg water. You should also bring instant noodle packets! There s hot water in the dining hall, if you don t like the food that day, make yourself noodles! I wish I knew about this my first time going. And finally, take a bottom bunk in your cabin if you can, they re a lot easier to manage out of.

Best place to learn, laugh, and love. Go there once and cry when you leave. Ive been there twice and i miis it so much.

I sent my child to Blue Lake Fine Arts, and she came back saying it was exactly like prison. She said the food was horrible, her minor teacher treated her horrible, and the days were horrible. I don't imagine she will be going again and I suggest no one else sends their child there unless they like military school.

I've been going to Blue Lake for 4 years no =w and I can honestly say that it is the best experience of my life. The environment there is absolutely amazing; the people are very tolerant and chill, and everywhere you walk you can hear music. It has also helped me advance so much with my music. The food is decent enough to live off, and if you really hate it that bad, you can live off the salad and fruit bars.

pretty much the highlight of my summer.
this will be my 4th year going.
My only complaint is with the website- there's no specific person to email for questions, and my questions never get answered.

would strongly recommend to any kid who has a love for their art. BLFAC is not for the faint of heart, hardcore immersion off-the-grid (for the most part) for 12 days. just finished my second year, and loved the heck out of it. cabin mates and counselors were supportive and friendly. camp bernstein is recommended for younger kids but both are wonderful. if you're on the fence, absolutely go! you won't regret it!

This us the most amazing place I have ever been to. I will never forget the friends and memeories I have made.

I sent my brother there for choir and radio broadcasting. He learned nothing he didn't improve any skills it was a waste of money. He said the other campers and the councilors treated him terribly.

A fantastic wooded area with several groups of cabins, each with their own performance area, where students can learn and perfect variety of arts. It comes at quite a price, though!

I just got back from Blue Lake for my third summer. I love it there!! Counselors are so cool and friendly, instructors are great and the whole experience is relaxing. Only down parts are the food and water supply in the cafeteria and the cold showers. If you can look past that, you'll love Blue Lake.

THis was the most amazing experience of my life i am so happy that i went. I would recommend this camp for anyone who loves the arts!

the one downside was the food, but you get used to it

Great place during the summer even more beautiful during the winter

Here's the thing: if you've never been away from home before, DO NOT come to Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. This was me in 2015. It was a total culture shock and an experience that has still scarred me to this day. The camp really is not for people who haven't been away for a while. So, the camp's philosophy is that in order to get to know the other campers better and make friends, students are not allowed to have their phones with them at all during the session. The only way to have ANY sort of contact with the outside world is to mail letters back and forth to people (which don't arrive to their destinations until nearly AFTER the session is over). So, if some sort of horrific accident or emergency had occurred back at home while I was gone, I wouldn't have known about it until eleven days later. That REALLY freaked me out. I believe the camp also had a day where parents could come visit, which is GREAT, but mine were not willing to drive 5+ hours when they were going to see me again in a week.

Another thing that struck me the wrong way about BLFAC was the culture of the people. As soon as I arrived for my contemporary acting theater audition, I was swarmed by mean, cliquey people who only had any regard for themselves and those that they allowed into their little gossipy groups. I guess that's kind of a trend with some artistic people, unfortunately. Although this isn't the camp's fault necessarily, BLFAC attracts these types of kids. Fair warning. The people that were in the "advanced" theater group were definitely worse in attitude than those who weren't (and, for the record, the "lesser" theater group had a MUCH better performance on the final day). I had a very hard time making friends here because everyone had such an inflated ego. Really, I had difficulty finding nice people in general.

The camp also filled up very quickly, much more than I imagined. I signed up several months in advance but still got shut out of musical theater and a creative writing minor (which I guess only had, like, ten slots?) So I wasn't really happy with the major and minor I was put in to begin with.

I will also say that for how much money you are paying to come here, the facilities aren't the greatest. I understand BLFAC is supposed to be a traditional, "rustic" summer camp, but wow, the cabins were pretty much just built out of plank wood scraps. It rained really hard one night, and I thought the building was going to fall apart! It also wasn't fun getting up and going outside in the middle of the night when you needed to use the public restroom. Or walking through the dirt back to the cabin right after you had showered. The theater building, especially the Shakespeare theater replica, was AWESOME...but that's about all that was awesome. Every other buildy felt muggy, buggy and snuggly (ten girls in one small cabin was a little much).

Okay, now for the positives. The counselor I had was one of the nicest, most caring people I have ever met. I was extremely homesick the first few nights and she helped me get through them without being condescending or making fun of me. She was from far away, too (Texas, maybe?) so she could relate to how I was feeling. Later, some of the girls in our cabin got into a minor "cat fight," and she resolved it very well: by making us all sit down and apologize, even those who hadn't been involved. She was also a great flute (?) player! Sadly, I can't remember my counselor's name, but I will always remember the impact she had on me.

Also, the teachers were pretty cool. They each had a lot of experience which they were able to efficiently pass down onto us. One even taught us stage sword fighting, which was lit. The performances we got to see during the evenings at camp (recitals, operas) were also enjoyable.

So, that's my story. I could write more but my character limit is about to exceed. Overall, I would definitely think before coming to BLFAC. You need to have the right kind of personality and drive to flourish here, and unfortunately, I didn't.

Please do not go to this camp!!! I was a theater major in the summer of 2019. We did a disastrous production of the Music Man without most of the characters. The food is so awful! One day, we had chicken burgers in there was a huge, disgusting vain on mine. The water tasted like eggs an

It was awesome I went last year and I'm going again this year. I was in Concert Band, I had an amazing director and I had Team Sports as a minor. All the instructors were fun and it wasn't that bad getting up at 6 am. It's my favorite camp to go to.

My daughter went this summer for choir. It was the best of both worlds. She was challenged and progressed so far in her vocals. This also added the dimension of being a camp and getting to be away from home and make new friends. As much as choir added to her musicality, the camp side so enriched her as a person and allowed her to grow on the personal level.

I was an art major here, blfac doesn't care as much about the art people as they do the band people. I say this because band kids have a lot more time to get their assignments done and be prepared, while our kids have 11 days to get 7 projects done, that's a lot of pressure on Art Kids and still only giving us about an hour free time everyday. Every night every camper has to watch a band concert for about an hour an hour and a half f, while I respect musicians I'm not one I didn't come to Blue Lake to watch something I don't really care about every night, would you make band kids come watch are people draw for an hour? These concerts really lowered my motivation to want to come back the next year. So to the administration people I highly suggest that you make this simple change for the greater good of the art side of your campers and for better success in your camp. Thank you.

Great music camp for all ages. Nice forest and great experience.

This is my second year going and I love it there! I make new friends every year and the camp is so beautiful. The uniforms are really comfy!

Anybody who doesn't like this camp, is blind and probably spoiled and closed minded.

Great I've been there for three years and is always been great, great music, great teachers, everything's great, though the food does leave something to be desired.

Blue lake is great. I went last year and im going again this year. I went for art as a major and acting as a minor. Art is great. U get to paint beautiful scenery such as the lake or the forest. U get to scetch non stop. U can also learn to do fiber arts literaly right on the lake. The food is not that bad. I mean its camp food. I dont expect a 5 star meal. U walk alot so u get in good shape by the time u leave just cuz of tht. I truely felt accepted there. There are so many different types of ppl but noone is excluded. Wonderful experiance.

I loved the camp. It increased my playing ability while challenging me in my music. I would definitely go again!

Blue Lake is always one of the best experiences of my life. The staff and my cabin mates always make such a huge impact on my life, and I always miss them so much. Blue Lake is my home away from home and I can't imagine going to camp anywhere else. I highly reccomend this place!