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 Founded in 1966, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp is a summer community of the fine arts serving over 5,000 elementary, junior high, and high school students each season through its varied programs. Blue Lake annually employs over 450 faculty and staff, who work together to provide a diverse and enriching learning experience for campers. Although Blue Lake is a fine arts training center, it strives to maintain a "camp" atmosphere in as many ways as possible through the environment, facilities, and camper activities.
Location
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp is situated on Little Blue Lake in West Michigan's Manistee National Forest. The campus consists of 270 rustic cabins, structures, and shelters spread throughout 1,300 acres of wilderness. Located 12 miles north of Muskegon and an hour northwest of Grand Rapids, Blue Lake is within minutes of Lake Michigan beaches and parks. Sailing, fishing, hiking, biking, golfing, canoeing, and swimming are all trademark summer activities of our area.
Camp Philosophy
 Blue Lake's primary goal is to motivate campers with two weeks of intensive instruction, sending them home with an incentive to pursue their art with new enthusiasm. A well balanced set of values -- maturity, citizenship, and appreciation of formal study -- is encouraged by all faculty and staff. Members of the Blue Lake faculty strive to make the campers' stay meaningful by teaching them how to become good artists and citizens. Enthusiasm is contagious at Blue Lake as campers discover, learn, experience, progress, and succeed. Because our teachers have the potential to serve as positive and motivational influences for our students during their short stay at camp, faculty are encouraged to maintain a visible presence throughout non-instructional activities. Faculty routinely attend evening performances and events.
A Typical Day
Blue Lake faculty spend approximately 4-5 hours per day teaching students in a variety of settings. Those involved in performing ensembles rehearse an average of two or three hours daily, depending on schedules and performance commitments. Non-music disciplines also have regular time for personal development. Evening commitments consist of recitals, concerts, master classes, workshops, and/or free time.
Faculty Ensembles & Performances
An integral part of the Blue Lake philosophy is that faculty not only teach, but are expected to demonstrate mastery of their craft through performance. Faculty master classes, workshops, exhibits, and demonstrations play a significant role in the campers' educational experience. Instrumental faculty may also perform regularly in chamber recitals, Festival Band, Festival Orchestra, or Faculty Jazz Ensembles as a part of Blue Lake's Summer Arts Festival.
Summer Arts Festival
Blue Lake offers over 175 performances each summer to camper and public audiences. Performances regularly feature our faculty and consist of Blue Lake’s Festival Orchestra, Festival Band, jazz ensembles, opera, ballet, faculty showcases, the Blodgett Recital Series, and a variety of other special events.
Opportunities for College Musicians
Blue Lake offers over 180 summer jobs to college students, who have the opportunity to audition for positions in Festival Band or Orchestra, Staff Band, numerous chamber ensembles, and the staff solo competition. More advanced students (who have completed undergraduate studies in music) are eligible to apply for teaching sectionals/technique classes at our junior camp - Camp Bernstein. Those wishing to do so may also study privately with faculty members.
Accommodations
Blue Lake's Faculty Village, the central housing area for faculty in residence, consists of 50 rustic cabins, a central dining facility, picnic area, laundry facilities, vending machines, pay phones, a recreation area, and an outdoor pool. Each cabin has its own camp fire ring and picnic area.
Camp Policies
In an effort to provide our campers with a pleasant and nurturing environment, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp has developed extensive regulations regarding proper and professional conduct. Faculty members, who are considered influential role models for our campers, are expected to support these Blue Lake standards and follow policies.
Camp Uniform
All Blue Lakers, including faculty, staff, and campers, are required to wear the camp uniform at all times except when within Faculty Village. The required uniform shirt and v-neck sweater are available at a discounted price at Blue Lake’s camp store. Employees are expected to supply the remainder of the uniform: solid navy-blue shorts, slacks, skirt, or jeans; navy-blue knee socks or white bobby socks for women; white crew socks or navy blue dress socks for men; and substantial shoes (no open toe/heel).
Qualifications, Salary, and Work Dates
Faculty are required to hold a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and have extensive teaching experience with junior high and/or high school students. Masters and Doctorate level degrees are preferred. All applicants are expected to demonstrate mastery of their craft as performance and/or demonstration is a significant aspect of teaching at Blue Lake. International applicants are requested to submit required work authorization with the application.
For all instrumental positions, a recorded audition is required. (See enclosed recommendations for content). For other faculty positions, samples of work must be submitted to the Department Chair. Salary for faculty is based on degree(s) held and previous experience. The minimum is $500 per two-week session plus room and board. Those who commute to campus daily are reimbursed mileage.
Most faculty positions are two or four weeks in length and are divided between the Intermediate and High School sessions. The dates listed include faculty arrival/orientation day:
Session I high school June 24 - July 6
Session II high school July 8 - July 20
Session III intermediate July 22 - August 3
Session IV intermediate August 5 - August 17
Employee Health History
All employees of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp are required to have a health history form on file with the camp Health Director before arriving on camp. All information is required by the state of Michigan and is kept confidential.
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Twin Lake