Important Information about OSA Performing Arts Summer Camp:
- Sign-In/Sign-Out: There will be a sign-in/out table at the front entrance. For everyone’s safety and to conform to fire regulations, it is important that all campers, teachers, admins/staff, and visitors sign in and out on a daily basis. Please be diligent about this.
- Nut-Free Food Policy: Please be aware that all foods brought into the school facility should be nut-free. We have several children with allergies.
- Allergies: This information will be captured on the child’s schedule IF it was provided upon registration. Please email info@oakvillesuzuki.org if this information was omitted during your registration. Epi-pens should be with the camper at all times.
- Lanyard Schedules: We will provide a printed schedule on a lanyard to each camper on Monday at sign-in. These lanyard schedules must be worn on the neck at all times.
- They are identification of the campers to student leaders, teachers and camp administrators.
- They make the camper’s schedule easily accessible and help others be aware of allergies, and any other medical conditions.
- We will be collecting these lanyards at the end of each week. If you wish to purchase one, they will be available for sale for $5 each.
- Lesson Notebook: Please send a notebook and pencil in your camper's bag for note taking during lessons. Teachers often would give instructions, tips, homework, etc. that would help your camper with at-home practice.
- Music books and music sheets: Bring music book if your camper is learning a piece and needs help or wishes to continue learning the piece at camp. For those in the chamber groups and/or orchestras, you are responsible to print music at home and bring to camp. The printer at the Front Desk is for emergency printing only. Music sheet download can be found here.
- Indoor Camp: Our camp is primarily an indoor camp with all activities held inside the camp location. On rare occasions and weather permitted, a small group of supervised campers might go outdoors for the maximum of 15 minutes per day. Please send a hat and sunscreen if you wish and ensure your camper know how to apply sunscreen and use a hat. Camp staff can help but are not responsible for the use of hat or sunscreen by your camper.
- Volunteer Opportunities: At the beginning of the week, there will be sign-up sheets for the Teachers’ Appreciation Lunch (where you can bring in lunch items for them on Wednesday morning), and to help with baked goods sales, sub sandwich and pizza lunches, respectively.
Instruments:
- Instrument Rentals: Instrument rentals should be arranged PRIOR to Day 1 of camp. Please bring your child(ren) to the rental appointment so the instrument can be sized appropriately. For violin, viola and cello rentals, we usually recommend that parent contact the Sound Post. For flute rentals, we usually recommend contacting Long & McQuade.
- The Sound Post: will deliver your online purchase or instrument rental to the camp location. Check here for details on how to purchase or rent, including delivery schedule.
- Piano, ukulele, and instruments for the Try-an-Instrument classes: Instruments are provided and available for use during lessons at camp.
- Cello, Flute, Violin, and Viola: For campers selecting cello, flute, violin, and viola as the instrument to learn, you must bring your own instrument because we do NOT provide these instruments at camp. We recommend renting to those campers who don’t already have one, or those who are trying out a new instrument for the first time. For campers selecting the Try-an-Instrument or ukulele option, we will provide these instruments for use during classes at camp.
- Ukulele: For campers selecting ukulele as the instrument to learn, you may use a camp instrument during camp, but these camp instruments cannot be taken home. If you wish to purchase a ukulele, we recommend Long & McQuade. A soprano (or tenor) ukulele ONLY.
- Recorder: If you see Recorder class on your child's schedule, soprano recorders are used in these recorder classes. Bring your own recorder to camp. If you don't already own one, there will also be some NEW recorders for sale at the camp. There will be some sanitized USED recorders that we can give to campers needing one. Check here for recommended recorder.
- Music Stands: All students in chamber groups, orchestras, and other ensembles MUST bring their own music stand. Clearly mark your stand with your name to avoid mix-up and loss.
- Cello Stools: All young cellists must bring their own stools, since the chairs at camp are not small enough and we only have a couple to share on an emergency basis. Older cellists who have outgrown their adjustable wooden stool and can lend or donate to the OSA, please bring them on Monday morning. At the end of camp weeks, if you do not wish to bring your wooden stool home, you can donate or re-sell to a younger student who might need to buy one to start their regular cello lessons in the Fall.
- Cello straps (endpin stoppers): All cellists must bring their own cello straps, including beginner cello students.
- Orchestra mute: Bring your mute if you are in an orchestra, or buy one from The Sound Post for delivery on Monday morning. Check here for recommended mutes.
- Instrument Case ID: : As many instrument cases look alike, it’s important to clearly mark your own instrument case (and backpacks and lunch bags, etc.) with your name. If you don’t have an ID tag, we have OSA instrument tags for sale for $4 each or 3 for $10 at the Front Desk.
Childcare:
- Before and After Camp Care: If you are unsure if your camper requires these paid services, we have found that most campers enrolled in the Senior program are usually mature enough to enjoy quiet time in the cafeteria (near the front of the school) while waiting for their first class to start and/or to be picked up at the end of the day. If you missed enrolling your little camper in these childcare services during the registration process, please email info@oakvillesuzuki.org
- Drop-off/Pick-Up Times: Please note that drop-off cannot be done earlier than 8 am and pick-up must be by 4 pm for all campers. Campers enrolled in the supervised All-Day Junior and After Care programs must be picked up no later than 5 pm. The school will lock its doors promptly at 5 pm. Campers in the supervised Half-Day Junior program must be picked up by 12:30 pm. Please note: We were just told on Friday July 7th by the school that it will lock its doors at 4 pm. So any camper not picked up by 4pm, will have a supervised outdoor time with our childcare staff, while waiting to be picked up.
- Younger Siblings: While we welcome family members to visit the camp, please try not to bring younger siblings into an older child’s classroom (with the exception of newborns that are fast asleep).
- We strongly recommend each child’s private lesson be attended by an adult to receive instructions from the teacher and to help with practice at home.
- Please ensure that younger siblings who are not campers are always accompanied by a responsible person. They must not be left alone in the hallways!
- If you need extra help, please speak with other parents in the school or the Front Desk.
Schedules:
- Our camp is a unique one where every camper has an individualized schedule and we are working hard to accommodate everyone. We appreciate your patience and cooperation. Please do not email asking where your child(ren)’s schedule(s) is/are. Thank you.
- Week 1 Schedules: Individualized schedules and a school map will be sent out via email on Sunday, July 9th.
- Week 2 Schedules: These schedules and a school map will be sent out on Sunday, July 16th.
Performances:
- Friday Performances: There will be a week-ending concert all Friday afternoon starting at around 12:30pm. Most of our campers will have the opportunity to perform at least once. Some classes will have week-ending performances during their final class. Teachers will let the campers know the details.
- Thursday Evening Performances: Advanced students in the Senior Orchestra and Vocal and Chamber Ensembles will have the majority of their performances on Thursday night at 7:00pm at the Church of Incarnation (1240 Old Abbey Lane, Oakville).
- Performance programs: Programs for both the Thursday and Friday concerts will be emailed on Thursday. A few printed copies will be available at the front desk.
- All friends and family are welcome and invited to come to both Thursday and Friday concerts! You’ll be amazed by what these amazing musicians can put together in a matter of days!
- We plan to live-stream these performances so families and friends who cannot be at the camp location can enjoy them as well. Let’s hope technology is on our side.
Cellphone and Photo/Video Policy:
- Please be respectful and discreet when using cellphones during class times. Calls should be taken in the hallways, and phones put on mute while in class.
- OSA is committed to respecting the privacy of our campers, families, and teachers. Videos and photographs taken during the camp weeks may be used for promotional purposes. An opportunity to waive permission was given during membership or camp registration. IF you do not wish to have your pictures in any OSA promotional materials, and did not already specify during registration, please email info@oakvillesuzuki.org
- Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/oakvillesuzuki.org/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/oakville_suzuki_music/ and use the #osamusiccamp2023 and tag us @oakville_suzuki_music if you have pictures and videos to post.
Food and water:
- Please send a reusable water bottle with your camper. There are water fountain to refill at the cam location.
- Daily lunches are not provided. Please pack and ensure your lunches and snacks are nut-free. We have several children with allergies.
- For those wanting a bit of a break from making daily lunches, you can supplement your own lunch with sub sandwiches on Thursday and/or pizza on Friday. Download your order form here: Thursday sub sandwiches and Friday pizza. Bring your pre-filled forms to camp by Wednesday afternoon and pay by cash or e-transfer please.
- On the Friday of every week, there will be limited baked goods for sale - cash only please.
Did we forget to mention anything you need to know? Email info@oakvillesuzuki.org with your questions! We look forward to seeing 1st week campers on July 10th and 2nd week campers on July 17th
