Travel: Olivet is conveniently located on I-69, about 10 miles north of the I-94 junction. The nearest airport is Capitol City Airport in Lansing (30 minutes). Also Grand Rapids airport is about 1-1/4 hours away; Detroit Metro and Flint airports are each about 1-1/ 2 hours away. Local Transportation Olivet College/MBC shuttle will be available from Lansing's Capitol City Airport to the Olivet Campus and back Shuttle charges and times for 2010 will be posted a few months before Camp, at which time you can reserve a space on particular shuttle by filling out the Shuttle Registration Form. Rental cars are available at the Lansing Capitol City Airport. As of September 2009 you could rent cars via Travelocity.com beginning at $15 per day. Your results may vary. We recommend reserving a car early to lock in the good rates. There are several taxi companies that service the airport. It's about a 30 mile ride one-way, and they have given us rough prices between $70 and $95 each way. So, we strongly recommend using our shuttle or renting a car. There are direct line phones to these taxi companies right near the exit doors in the baggage claim area. Starting and Ending TimesCheck-in is from 11AM to 3PM on Friday, June 4. Student Orientation will be at about 2:00pm. Classes begin at about 3:00 p.m. Check the preliminary schedule when it appears on line for exact times. Camp now ends after lunch on Sunday, June 6. Check-in for the pre-camp begins at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday June 3. Dinner is at 6PM and activities begin at 7:15 PM. A schedule of pre-camp events will be posted early in 2010. Here is an interactive map of Olivet College (our primary locations are #s 6, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 24). AccommodationsLodging is right on site in Shipherd Hall, an air-conditioned student dormitory. There are single and double occupancy options (see below). In Shipherd, bathrooms are shared between 2 rooms. Two rooms constitute a suite. Special Note: Should air-conditioned Shipherd Hall fill up (as has happened in past), students will be offered single and double occupancy options at Dole Hall or Blair Hall. Please be aware that Shipherd is the only air-conditioned dorm at Olivet. Also, Blair and Dole Halls both feature community bathrooms on the floor. There are about 147 rooms in Shipherd, and we have maxed out that facility in the past. So, we recommend that you sign up early if you really need or want the convenience of air-conditioning and more private bathrooms. We will post a notice on the Registration Form when Shipherd Hall fills up. All other facilities used for the camp (classrooms, auditorium and dining hall) are air conditioned. Please note that sleeping facilities at Olivet are college dormitory rooms. They are relatively comfortable and clean, and offer easy access to all of our activities. However, any students who feel they need hotel-level accomodations may register for MBC as a commuter (or a commuter with meal plan) and then arrange to stay at any of several local hotels. If you wish to go that route, here is a list of hotels recommended by the Events Services people at Olivet College. This list is far from exhaustive (a quick internet search brought up a couple of dozen motels and hotels within a reasonable driving range). Note that Charlotte and Marshall are each about 10 miles from Olivet.
Linens: Note that Olivet College supplies each dormitory room occupant with 2 sheets, 2 bath towels, and one each of the following; pillowcase, pillow, washcloth and blanket. They also supply some toiletries, such as soap and shampoo. Linens are distributed upon registration, and are to be returned at check-out. Classes will be primarily in the air-conditioned C.S. Mott Academic Center, right across the street from the dorm. Parking: is plentiful on the Olivet campus, with parking lots behind Shipherd Hall, the C.S Mott Academic Center, Kirk Cafeteria, and more. See the grey areas on the interactive map. Roommates: "Single Occupancy" means you will have a room to yourself (bathrooms are shared between 2 rooms). Unless otherwise specified on your registration form, if you select "double occupancy," we will pair you up with another student of the same sex and approximately the same age group. Non-playing spouses, companions and chaperones: Spouses and companions of students -- or chaperones of minor students -- who will not be attending classes may register for MBC on the following basis: Both the student and the spouse/companion/chaperone sign up for double occupancy. The student pays the full double occupancy rate, while the spouse/companion/chaperone pays half the double occupancy rate. This special rate entitles the spouse/companion/chaperone to double occupancy lodging, the full meal plan, and -- if so desired -- access to demonstrations and concerts. When registering, the spouse/companion/chaperone should indicate their status in the "special needs" slot on the questionnaire. Please submit a separate Registration form for each registrant, including for a spouse/companion/chaperone. 
Climate: Early June weather in Olivet is normally pretty moderate (average low of 56 and high of 77), but it can be quite warm and humid at this time of year. Although all the main buildings we will occupy at Olivet are air-conditioned, students will need to walk outdoors between buildings several times a day. To ensure that you're as comfortable as possible when you do venture outside, we highly recommend that before you pack your bags you check the weather report (one example: The Weather Channel Olivet Weather), and select clothes that are appropriate to the projected conditions. And don't forget to also bring a light sweater or sweat shirt to wear indoors in case they crank up the a/c too high. This actually happened in 2009, so don't say we didn't warn you! Tuition: You must register to attend Midwest Banjo Camp. Slots are still available. Resident Tuition: Regular Camp only: $450 covers tuition, room with single occupancy and board for the weekend.
Resident Tuition: Regular Camp Plus Pre-Camp: The MBC Pre-Camp covers all camp activities from late Thursday afternoon through Friday morning, plus room and meals from Thursday dinner through Friday lunch. $570 covers tuition, room with single occupancy and board, Thursday dinner through Sunday lunch
Commuter Rate: We offer a special non-resident rates which include meals (covers lunches and dinners only - breakfast may be purchased on the spot if you wish). Commuters may also register with no meals included. $370 Regular Camp Only (includes dinner on Friday, lunch and dinner on Saturday, and lunch on Sunday).
The Midwest Banjo Camp Work Scholarship ProgramMBC is able to offer a few work-scholarships. We offer a $200 discount off the arrangement of your choice (single occupancy, double occupancy, commuter, pre-camp etc.) in exchange for about ten hours of work over the course of Camp. Your duties, which will probably involve things like helping at the front desk, running errands, making photo-copies, and other, similar tasks, will be assigned by the directors or Site Coordinator, and in general should not overly interfere with your opportunity to attend classes. Those applying should be serious players over 18 who could not otherwise afford to attend. They should also be physically fit, and capable of supplying their own initiative. Apply by sending an email describing your situation to info@midwestbanjocamp.com. Extra Nights' LodgingIf it best suits your travel plans, you may also reserve a bed on the night directly following Camp (Sunday, June 6). Specify this option on your registration form, or contact us with your reservation any time up to May 20, 2010. The cost is $45 per night, single occupancy, $35 per night double occupancy per student. The Olivet cafeteria will only be open from Thursday dinner thru Sunday lunch, so if you stay through Sunday evening you will need to find other sources for meals. Olivet is a small town but has several options, a couple of restaurants and sandwich/pizza shops. One restaurant doubles as the town bar which normally closes by midnight, but will often stay open later when there is an even that caters to adults taking place at Olivet. 
Deposits and Payment ScheduleAlthough students may pay in full at any time, a deposit of $100 reserves a place at Camp until May 3, 2010, at which time all tuition balances must be paid in full. Beginning 12:01 AM on May 4, 2010, all reservations made must be accompanied by full tuition. Cancellations and Refunds:Until May 3, 2010, your deposit is fully refundable. For cancellations beginning 12:01 AM on May 4, 2010, everything is refunded except $100. For cancellations made on or after May 28, 2010, everything is refunded except $200. There are no refunds for cancellations that take place after midnight, June 2, 2010, or for those students who simply fail to show up to Camp with no notice, except in the event of medical or family emergencies. email: info@midwestbanjocamp.com If you have any questions or concerns that you would prefer to address by phone, send us an email with your phone number and suggested times to call. We'll then get back to you as soon as we can. |
The Students Speak about 2009 camp: "Excellent once again – it gets better and smoother run every year." "You will never find a better camp as far as teachers are concerned" "Overall, an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10 " "Twelve stars out of 10. " "Well organized. Wonderful concerts!" "I loved it – too short? Concerts could only be better if longer – Fantastic!" "Wonderful – stimulating!!" "Everyone was very nice / positive. Excellent!" "Great. Really enjoyed it. Have it next year and I'll come back." "Good environment, lessons, food, people, atmosphere. Lots of teacher/student mingling, no egos." "Great camp to learn new techniques" "Amazingly overwhelming!! I particularly enjoyed the interaction with other players and teachers" |
Meals: are buffet style in the air-conditioned