How to Get the Most out of Midwest Banjo Camp

- Location: Camp is at Olivet College. Directions are available through the web site. Or, use the following address to print out directions from you favorite web map program: Google Maps, Map Quest

- Check-in is just inside the main entrance of the C.S. Mott Academic Center, which is where the classrooms are located. If you are arriving late in the evening, go directly to Shipherd Hall (across the street to the south of Mott). Signs there will direct you to the student in charge who will have your room key for you. Pre-Camp check in begins at 3:30pm on Thursday; regular Camp check in begins at 11am on Friday.

- Parking: There is absolutely no parking problem at Olivet. Spaces are available around the Shipherd Hall and Dole Hall dormitories, near the Kirk Cafeteria, and several other locations. For parking locations, see the map.

- Linens and Such: You will be supplied with 2 towels, 2 sheets, plus pillow, pillow case, blanket, washcloth, soap, and shampoo (what is provided is pretty basic and some find it more comfortable to bring their own). The dorm rooms will not have hangers, so bring your own if you will require them.

- General Logistics: There is air-conditioning in the Shipherd Hall Dorm, the classrooms, dining room, and auditorium. Assignment to Shipherd Hall is on a first-come-first served basis. There is no air-conditioning in the Dole Hall dorm. Note that you will have to walk outdoors from both dorms to the Mott Academic Center where classes are located, and at mealtimes you'll have to walk about three minutes across a central quad between Mott and the Kirk Cafeteria. If you're assigned to Shipherd, you just have to walk across the street to get to Mott. From Dole Hall, you have to walk across the quad to get to Mott.

- Those with Difficulty Walking: Students who have difficulty walking, please contact us ahead of time. We have been promised that a golf cart -- driven by Olivet students -- will be made available at mealtimes and perhaps at other times as well.

- Be Prepared for the Climate: Although seasonable averages for early June in Michigan indicate otherwise, we have unfortunately had warm, muggy weather at Camp almost every year. Last year was quite mild, but in any event we strongly recommend that you come prepared with an adequate supply of shorts, T-shirts, and other warm-weather gear. Do carry a sweater or light jacket with you in case they crank up the a/c too far. We also recommend that you have with you a light waterproof jacket with a hood, in the event of rain. Above all, MONITOR THE WEATHER REPORTS for Olivet, Michigan before departing for camp.

- If you are assigned to Dole Hall (the non-a/c dorm), we recommend that you bring a small fan along to make your sleeping conditions more comfortable.

- Bring a Gig Bag?: Camp logistics dictate that you'll be carrying your banjo around quite a bit throughout the course of the weekend. Unless you are comfortable carrying your instrument around in its hard case, you might want to consider bringing a "gig bag" (soft padded carrying case) so that transporting your banjo will be more comfortable. Of course, we recommend that the gig bag you use be substantial enough to afford your instrument a reasonable degree of protection.

- Instrument Check-In: We will provide instrument check-in, staffed by volunteers, for portions of the day where we think it will be most needed (these times will be announced at camp). Although we are providing this service, we are concerned that if everybody uses it at once this could become a major bottleneck. In other words, if 200 people want to check their instruments before lunch and uncheck them after lunch, we unfortunately have neither the staff nor the facilities to deal smoothly with this volume. In order to keep this situation from getting out of hand, we have a request. If you are staying in the dorm, and carrying your instrument is not a huge hardship, please park it in your dorm room during meals and concerts, or simply carry it around with you. Similarly, those commuters who don't mind carrying their instruments are also requested to hold on to them.

- Please Note: Instrument check-in is provided as a courtesy. Although we will make every effort to secure your instruments while they are under our care, and we fully expect them to be safe, ultimately we can not be responsible for their safety.

- Emergency Phone Numbers: For real emergencies, call 911. The Campus Safety number at Olivet College is 269-749-7911. Other useful numbers will be provided later and/or may be published in your programs.

- Vegetarian Meals: There will be vegetarian options available as part of our regular meal service and these will be clearly labeled as such.

- Meal Tickets: Commuters who don't have meal tickets may purchase individual meal tickets at the Cafeteria (as may early arrivals who are not attending pre-Camp). Other Places to Eat: There are other meal options in downtown Olivet and environs (see below).

- Downtown Olivet (a short walk from campus) offers several small restaurants, including a sandwich shop, bar-restaurant, and a couple of pizza parlors.

- There are numerous places to eat in Charlotte (c. 10 miles North on I-69) and Marshall (c. 10 miles South on I-69).

- Email Lists in the Program Booklet: We intend to print all students' names and email addresses in the program booklet. If you do NOT wish to have your name and email address printed in the booklet, please email us at info@midwestbanjocamp.com.by May 23.

- Audio and Video Taping in Class: We feel that having the opportunity to tape at least portions of your classes is a valuable learning tool, but as a courtesy YOU MUST REQUEST PERMISSION FROM YOUR INSTRUCTORS.

- Taping at the Faculty Concert: Students may record the concert on personal recording devices provided that their set-ups are relatively simple and do not interfere with other audience members' ability to enjoy the proceedings. We do ask that no audio or video recordings made of artists at MBC be posted on the internet without their permission. Those who come up with good footage are urged to send us copies for possible use on the web site (we too will get permission of the artists involved, of course).

- Visiting Elderly Instruments: Visiting Elderly Instruments: Many students have inquired when Elderly Instruments might be available to visit. Elderly will have an exhibit of instruments, accessories, and an assortment of other things at MBC. For students who wish to visit the store the normal business hours are on Thursday (11am to 9pm), Friday (10am - 6pm), and Saturday (10am - 6pm). The store will not be open on Sunday after camp this year.