Island Camp | Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

MILES OF MUSIC ISLAND CAMP is a retreat exploring traditional folk music, modern songwriting. and how they work together. The week includes classes, dances, jams, great food and plenty of free time on a gorgeous private island in New Hampshire's Lake Winnipesaukee.

Our instructors are a mix of renowned touring professionals, legendary players steeped in specific traditional music styles, and up-and-coming original musicians. We teach fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass, singing, and occasionally other instruments, and we also have instruction for non-instrument-specific musical skills like songwriting, ear training, ensemble playing, and performance. 

With over 120 creative people including instructors, guest artists, kitchen staff, boat pilots and students, Miles of Music becomes one vibrant village for seven days. There are moments of jamming and dancing in large groups as well as opportunities to steal away for one-on-one song sharing or tunes on the porch. We value and are actively working an environment of inclusivity including, but not limited to, creating a safe and welcoming space for people from a range of backgrounds and perspectives in terms of race/ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, learning style and country of origin.

LOCATION:  Three Mile Island Camp is an Appalachian Mountain Club facility. It’s a private, 43-acre rocky woodland island on New Hampshire's Lake Winnipesaukee.

TUITION INCLUDES: 

• A cozy bed in a double-occupancy cabin.

• Access to all classes offered as well as the occasional opportunity for private instruction (See sample schedule below).

• Nightly entertainment/dances/jams.

• Three gourmet meals and a late-night snacks daily, with three meal plans available: standard (includes meat), vegetarian and gluten free. Food is locally sourced when possible.

• Self-serve coffee, tea, and water available 24 hours a day.

• Access to canoes, kayaks, sailboats, and hiking trails. Fishing, tennis, and volleyball are available if you bring your own equipment.

A Note About Our Camp:
It may not be safe or appropriate for someone dealing with significant psychological symptoms to attend because we do not have medical and psychological support on the island. If you have any concerns or hesitation about wherewithal this experience might be appropriate for you or your family member please reach out via email. If we feel that anyone’s behavior or conduct is disruptive to the camp experience we reserve the right to ask the to leave the island early without refund.

- SCHEDULE -

Here’s last year’s printed one-page schedule and class descriptions, so you can get a general idea of how we do things at Miles of Music.

Scroll down for a written description of the week’s events.

- SCHEDULE OF EVENTS -

SaturdaY | Arrive at camp.

Boats pick up campers at the dock at 12noon, 2pm & 4pm. Plan to arrive at the dock 30 minutes before boat departure. You'll leave your car for the week in the parking lot at the dock (Lovejoy Sands Road near Meredith, New Hampshire, if you want to map it).

Sunday – Thursday | Camp is in session.

Here is a conceptual outline of our weekly schedule. Exact class offerings change significantly from year to year depending on camper interest and the skills of the instructors we've hired. Check out the Island Camp 2018 schedule below as a point of reference. 

8:30AM - 10AM | BREAKFAST

8:45AM or 9:00AM - 9:45AM | EARLY BIRD CLASSES

10:00AM - 12:30PM | MUSICALITY
This is the core program that everyone at camp shares in common. We’ve asked our instructors to think about the most wonderful, useful & inspiring ideas they’ve encountered as musicians and teach THAT. Classes are grouped by level and topic but not by instrument, so you’ll join a class based on your speed of learning by ear on whatever instrument you play. Bring your mandolin, voice, bass, guitar, fiddle, banjo, saxophone and dive in. Past topics have included using “riffs” in arranging songs, playing and singing traditional ballads, songwriting methods, working with unusual time signatures or rhythms, improvisation techniques and how to play well with other musicians.

12:30PM - 1:20PM | LUNCH & 12-Minute Camper Concerts

1:30PM - 2:30PM | AFTERNOON BREAK
This could be a good time to jam, swim, sleep or schedule private lessons on your instrument with one of our Instructors or Guest Artists. They’ll post available teaching times at the beginning of the week. 

2:30PM - 3:30PM | ELECTIVE #1
A variety of one-time workshops and cumulative classes. You choose!

3:45PM - 4:45PM | LEARN YOUR INSTRUMENT
Pick a class to attend for the week. Now’s your chance to focus on YOUR instrument at your own speed of learning. We have fantastic instructors to teach a variety of levels and styles on fiddle, guitar & banjo as well as voice, bass, mandolin, drums and percussion. We may be able to accommodate other instruments or arrange for a class in a specific musical style depending on student interest and instructor availability, so let us know what you’re looking for.

5:00PM - 6:00PM | ELECTIVE #2
During this period, we’ll offer a variety of one-time workshops as well as the popular “Band in a Box” class, where campers can sign up to arrange and perform a song with a killer backing band. Workshops could include listening or jamming sessions in various traditional or modern styles, music law, Sacred Harp singing, couples dancing basics, “meet the cello” (or some other instrument you may not have tried before), or sampler versions of other popular classes.

6:00PM - 7:00PM | SONG SWAPS, JAMS & CHILL TIME

7:00PM - 8:00PM | DINNER & 12-MINUTE CAMPER CONCERTS

9:00PM - MIDNIGHT | EVENING AT THE DANCE HALL
Instructor led bands will get us dancing most nights playing swing and old time dance music. Dances will be a combo of called/instructed dances and a free form party. Other evening events will include instructor performances, costumed Live Band Karaoke (pick a crazy outfit, pick a song and an instructor band will back you up), Entertain Us (camper talent night), lake side Campfire Sing Along (with s’mores). Etc. When the scheduled activities end, the music is likely to continue till the wee hours and will include late night snacks!

FRIDAY | DEPART FROM camp.

Boats depart the island between 9am and 12noon.