Camp Harmony – SFFMC’s New Years Camp
Camp Harmony registration is now CLOSED and there is no late registration. If you are not a member of SFFMC we encourage you to join so you’ll receive news of next year’s Camp Harmony and other SFFMC activities.
Camp Harmony 2024-25 will be live and in person from Friday December 27th, 2024 until Wednesday January 1st, 2025.
NEW: Camp Harmony now has a carpool app! To find a carpool or to offer a ride, go to: https://groupcarpool.com/t/5extfz. If you can offer a ride, click the blue ADD button to add your information. If you need a ride, click the green JOIN button to the ride that fits your needs. If you need a ride, but there is nothing suitable for you yet, click the yellow WAITLIST button. Please be aware that this not a managed or moderated app. You will need to check back to connect with people who can offer you a ride or who would like to ride with you. We are trying this for the first time and we hope it’s helpful.
Camp Harmony is the Folk Club’s biggest camp, drawing over 200 people. For 2023-24 we returned to Camp Newman, between Santa Rosa and Calistoga, which was our Camp Harmony site for a number of years until it was badly damaged in the Tubbs Fire of 2017. We are delighted to return to Camp Newman for our 2024-25 camp. Camp Newman has now been considerably rebuilt with new and improved facilities that have been well designed to serve campers of all ages. There’s more information about the rebuilt Camp Newman (including photos!) in the 2023 July-August and September-October issues of the folknik.
We always have a great time at Camp Harmony and we are very excited to have an in-person camp this year. Campers can lead a workshop, begin a new instrument, join in a jam or sing along. Hike through the woods, make new friends over cider or while jamming, and do it all surrounded by folks making music and having fun. The final online version of last year’s (2023-24) workshop schedule is here, and this year’s in-progress workshop schedule (expect changes and additions between now and the start of camp!) is here.
We’re a homemade camp, and we put it on for each other. It’s a wonderful, supportive environment for trying out new things. Here it’s easy to take the first steps at teaching, whether calling a first dance, teaching a beginning instrument class, or leading a song for the first time. Some folks have found the inspiration to write a song or tune at camp, and the evening concert has debuted some keepers.
You never know what will happen, it all depends on who shows up. Will it be you?
Please note: you must be a member of the San Francisco Folk Music Club to attend Camp Harmony. Join us today!
All campers will need to show proof of a negative Covid test when arriving at camp. Please read Camp Harmony’s Covid and Cancellation policies.
All registration prices include meals. Housing is assigned on first-come basis. Attendees may come for all or part. We welcome newcomers, and if you will be a first-time attendee, please feel free to email or phone with your questions.
The Venue: Camp Newman is nestled in the hills between Santa Rosa and Calistoga in the shade of redwoods. Newly rebuilt since the 2017 Tubbs fire, facilities include a modern spacious dining hall, a Community Center with wooden dance floor, and The Lodge with a central fireplace room. There are additional spaces for concerts, Arts & Crafts, workshops and jamming. A Camp Harmony site map is here. Buildings are centrally grouped and ADA accessible; we will be providing a van to transport you and your instruments around the camp.
Housing: Camp Newman offers several housing options, and rates are set accordingly. Rates for this year’s camp are here . Camp Newman is remote from any off-site lodging, and no drop-in or day use registration is offered this year. The online registration form provides space to explain any accessibility needs. Campers should bring bedding (sheets & blankets or sleeping bag, pillow, etc). As an alternative, Camp Newman provides linens (fitted and top sheet, pillowcase, pillow, blanket and towel) for an additional $25.
• Economy cabins have four sets of bunk beds, indoor heating and bathroom. No one will be placed in an upper bunk unless they ask for one.
• Semi-private accommodations hold two campers. Rooms have twin or queen beds, indoor heating, bathroom, microwave and fridge.
• RV and camping spaces are available with limited power for RVs.
There’s more info about lodging types here on Camp Newman’s website. Click on the photo for each type of lodging to view additional photos. For relative locations, there is a map here. There is a shuttle bus that makes a continuous loop around the grounds.
Meals: Registration rates includes three delicious meals a day. Each camper day starts and ends at 2 pm, and includes dinner on the day you arrive, and breakfast and lunch the next day. All meals will be prepared by Camp Newman staff who will do their very best to accommodate individual dietary preferences. When you register you have the option of choosing gluten-free, dairy-free, omnivore, vegetarian, or vegan. If you have additional dietary needs, please contact our registrars.
Payment: You can pay online using a credit card, debit card, PayPal account, or by check. If you choose to pay by check, the site and your confirmation email will tell you where to mail your check.
If you encounter any difficulties, please email campnewharmony@gmail.com (preferred), or phone (415) 987-0502 (before 9 pm) with your questions. Either call OR email, but don’t do both! Please be patient, we are volunteers.
Camperships: For those who would not otherwise be able to attend camp, the Club offers fee reductions known as “camperships.” If you are able to donate to the Campership Fund, remember it is tax-deductible, and you will be helping someone get to camp who may be someone you will miss if they can’t attend. The funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis on the honor system. We encourage you to register early if asking for a campership. Instructions for applying for camperships are included in online registration.
Activities: Camp Harmony is a self-made music camp for our club members of all ages and experience levels. Workshops include singing, dancing, tunes, and instrument instruction/technique, and there is a great deal of spontaneous jamming that occurs day and night. All workshops and activities are camper-led, and any camper can sign up to teach or lead a workshop. In addition, every night we have a concert and a dance. If you would like to lead a workshop, your registration confirmation gives you easy steps to secure your workshop(s) on the schedule, or you can sign up at camp. The final online version of the last year’s (2023-24) workshop schedule (there may have been some changes to it at camp) is here. This year’s in-progress workshop schedule (expect changes and additions between now and the start of camp!) is here.
There is more information in the folknik, and visit us on Facebook!
We hope to see you at camp!