Informative Personal Blog of Sci-Fi Writer

Summer Camp Music Festival is just around the corner.  If you are a parent and you love music then there is a good chance that you will be taking your kids along with you to the festival.  Well this is where I come in.  I am a parent and I have been attending Summer Camp for 12 years with children in tow.  That’s right for nearly all of the past 12 years of Summer Camps I have had at least one child with me.  There are a few things that I have picked up along the way and lots of information that I would have loved to have at my finger tips before I attended the festival for the first time.

First things first, taking kids to Summer Camp is more work than traveling alone.  However if you prepare yourself right you are going to have a much better time and a time that is not nearly as stressful.  I am going to try and compile a great guide for all of you parents out there that are looking to go to Summer Camp with their children.

(My daughter Althea and I @ Summer camp 2014)

I feel honored to be included among the media team at the festival.  I am excited to be able to share some of my favorite Summer Camp memories with my own children with you.  I am also excited to help you have a fun experience so that you will continue coming back to Summer Camp!

(Me with Adeline even though she was too tired to walk, she was still having fun! @ Summer Camp 2014)

Here are some of the blogs that I will be writing in the near future:

A Comprehensive Guide to Summer Camp with Children

(Althea loves everything about being in Kids Camp @ Summer Camp 2014)

Bands to Take the Kiddos To

Special Activities for Families and Children

(My girls, Adeline and Althea, having fun at Kids Camp @ Summer Camp 2014)

Emergency Information Every Parent Needs to Know

Special Considerations for Those with Disabilities

The Ultimate Summer Camp Packing List — Packing with Kids

(Adeline hanging out in the wagon — hint: the wagon is a must! @ Summer Camp 2014)

Things That Come In Handy at Summer Camp with Kids

(Adeline hanging out with her stroller @ Summer Camp 2014)

What to Talk to Your Kids About Before Attending Summer Camp

Some Questions Your Kids Might Ask While Attending Summer Camp

The Top Ten Things to Do at Kids Camp

Ten Things You Must Remember When Attending Summer Camp with Kids

(Daddy relaxing with Huxley and Adeline while they drink some water and wait for some music to start @ Summer Camp 2014)

Ten Things Althea Says You Should Pack in Your Child’s Backpack (That’s right my 6 year old is going to help me tell you what other little kids her age should be packing.)

Ten Things Huxley Says You Should Pack in Your Child’s Backpack (Huxley will be giving you his picks for what to include in your child’s backpack.)

Weather Precautions to Take at Summer Camp

What to Leave at Home — A Look at the Items You Will Not Be Getting Through the Gates

Cloth Diapers and Festivals — What You Need to Know

Feeding your Kids at Summer Camp

Babywearing Vs Strollers — The Good and the Bad That You Should Know

and

??  Please feel free to let me know questions that you have about Summer Camp.

Plus you will get to check out some awesome highlights and features about some of my favorite bands that are going to be at Summer Camp.

Another exciting thing about the Summer Camp Music Festival is that my husband will be joining me and will be writing as well.  He is going to offer you a few preview posts including:

A Dad’s Favorite Summer Camp Memories with His Kids

Dad’s Ultimate Guide to Summer Camp

and

Everything Dad Needs in His Backpack When Attending Summer Camp with Kids

So what do I want to start with?

Well, I will tell you some basic information about Summer Camp Music Festival.

The When and Where

Summer Camp Music Festival takes place in Chillicothe, IL on May 22, 23, and 24, 2015.

The Music Basics

During the three days of music more than 100 bands will grace the stages.  Bands range from regional artists to bands that are known around the world.  In my many years of Summer Camp attendance I have never been disappointed with the line up or bands that I was able to see.

(Althea got to dance the night away at Trey @ Summer Camp 2014)

Get Your Tickets

You can pick up tickets for the festival now before the price goes up again.  Right now they are at the 3rd level price point which is $224.50.  The total price with fees is $247.  Do keep in mind that once the tickets allotted for this level have sold out that they will go up in price so it is a good idea to buy your tickets now if you have not already purchased them.

To Pre-Party or Not to Pre-Party?  — That is the Question

There are some additional ticket add ons that you might want to take advantage of as well.  If you are interested in getting into the campground earlier than Friday morning than you can pick up a Thursday pre-party ticket for just $35 (it is required that you have a 3 day pass before you can use the pre-party ticket).  This year’s Thursday pre-party includes performances by the following:  The Infamous Stringdusters, Manic Science (Manic Focus and Break Science), Floodwood, Future Rock, Dopapod, The Werks, The Nth Power, Turbo Suit (previously known as Cosby Sweater), Sun Stereo, DJ NODJ, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, Family Groove Company, Artifakts, Blake Gardner & the Farmers, Business as Usual, Chicago Funk Mafia, Dead Language, DJ Amplifi, Earphoric, Fanny Pack, Fox Valley Harvest, Hog Magundy, Home Stretch Ride, Hyryder, Ifdakar, Little Pizza, Moontang, The Dawn, and Yojimbo.

VIP Basics

As with all festivals there are VIP upgrades available.  I have attended Summer Camp as both VIP and general admission and I will stand behind the VIP experience here.  It is pretty amazing.  The check in procedure and the fact that you are parked so close to the camping area are the two big selling points for me.  If you have the extra $200 for the basic VIP upgrade per person then I would highly recommend it.  In addition to the special parking and camping there are special seating areas at the bigger stages, Thursday pre-party access, a VIP bar in the campground and at a few of the stages, your own special VIP poster, and entrance to one of the late night shows (more about this in a minute).  For $300 you also get deluxe parking, 2 late night shows, a case of Goose Island beer, and an official event t-shirt.  The $420 upgrade also includes all 3 late night shows, Super Deluxe parking (yes this means a whole lot less walking!!), and an official event sweatshirt.  For $1000 you can live the experience of being a rock star during the entire event with rockstar parking, and an all access backstage pass which allows you to get into the green room where you can rub elbows with the artists and enjoy some free beer and snacks.

UMVIP

If you love Umphrey’s McGee there are also some amazing Umphrey’s VIP packages available.  These include a picnic with the band, complete with food and beverages; a private Umphrey’s set in the church; special access to the Golden Ticket Merch Event, free downloads of all of the UM shows for the weekend, a commemorative laminate, special dedicated staff available to you throughout the weekend, and an exclusive umVIP merchandise item.  You can view these special packages to learn all of the details and additional information.

More Options

Not a tent camper??  Well if you purchase the VIP access you can take advantage of these special hotel and shuttle packages.  You can also pick up tickets for RVs but hurry only primitive and VIP upgrades are available now.

One Day

Plus if you can not attend the whole weekend you can grab a Sunday one day pass for just $75, so there is really no reason to not attend at least the one day of fun.

(You don’t want to miss out on the fun!  Where else could Huxley have found the inspiration needed to make his own rocket shoes out of glow sticks? @ Summer Camp 2014)

Volunteer

Keep in mind that if money is an issue that there are still volunteer opportunities that are available for you to be able to work and get your price of admission refunded to you.  Just check out the ticketing page for more details.