The Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp Experience: 5 Reasons Why Its 2025 60th Season Is Unmissable
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, nestled within the Manistee National Forest in West Michigan, is gearing up for a major milestone: its 60th season in 2025. This non-profit summer school of the arts has been a premier destination for young artists since its founding, providing intensive instruction in a unique, isolated, and creative environment.
As of late 2024 and early 2025, enrollment is open for the upcoming summer sessions, which will serve as a celebration of the camp's enduring legacy and the life work of its visionary founder, Fritz Stansell. The camp continues to evolve, adding new programs like a dedicated Mini Camp for beginners while maintaining its core mission of fostering international understanding through the universal language of the arts.
The Legacy of Blue Lake: Founder and History
The story of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp is inextricably linked to its founder, Fritz Stansell. Stansell was an influential figure in arts education who, in 1965, took the first steps to form the non-profit summer school. His vision was to create a place for concentrated, creative study, a spirit that continues today, drawing inspiration from the earlier Arens Art Colony.
Located in Twin Lake, Michigan, the camp officially began its programs in 1966. Stansell’s dedication to music and the arts was recognized by institutions like Michigan State University, which presented him with the Distinguished Alumni Award. His commitment established Blue Lake as an internationally recognized institution, not just for its summer programs, but also for operating WLFC (89.9 FM), its own public radio station.
The camp’s structure is built around four primary sessions, each approximately two weeks long, serving over 5,400 students annually across its principal camp program. The 2025 season marks the 60th year of this incredible journey in arts education.
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp 2025: Session Dates and New Programs
The 2025 season is structured to accommodate students from grades 5–12, offering various levels of instruction across its main campus areas: Central Camp (primarily high school students) and Camp Bernstein (junior high students). The typical 12-day session structure is as follows, though prospective campers should always check the official calendar for the final 2025 schedule:
- Session 1: Late June to Early July (e.g., June 24 – July 5)
- Session 2: Mid-July (e.g., July 8 – July 19)
- Session 3: Late July to Early August (e.g., July 22 – August 2)
- Session 4: Mid-August (e.g., August 5 – August 16)
The New Mini Camp for Beginner Musicians
A recent and exciting development is the introduction of a new camp specifically for beginner band students. This program is designed to give younger or less experienced musicians a foundational start in music.
The curriculum for this Mini Camp focuses on essential fundamentals, including:
- Learning to read and listen to music (notes, rhythms, dynamics).
- Introductory technique and proper instrument care.
- Vocal Technique and Solfege Class for choir students.
- Music 101, covering note and rhythm basics.
This initiative helps ensure that students of all skill levels, even those just starting their musical journey, can benefit from the high-quality, intensive instruction Blue Lake is known for.
A Deep Dive into Blue Lake’s Comprehensive Arts Majors
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp offers a robust selection of arts majors, allowing students to dedicate the majority of their time to their chosen discipline. Students spend six to seven hours per day in instruction, including rehearsals, sectionals, and technique classes, led by a highly qualified instructional faculty.
The camp’s faculty members are professional instructors, performers, and positive role models, many holding advanced degrees like Ph.D.s and M.F.A.s, such as Dr. Carmen Bugan, Dr. Caitlin Cowan, and Heidi Kaloustian. The 10 primary arts majors include:
- Visual Arts: Focused on fundamental skills, concepts, and daily studio time, with courses defined by the media used.
- Band: Offering five hours of intensive daily rehearsals and technique classes.
- Orchestra: Including focused instruction from the Suzuki Faculty and opportunities in Chamber Music.
- Choir: Developing vocal skills and ensemble performance.
- Creative Writing: A unique offering for students interested in fiction, poetry, and non-fiction.
- Dance: Covering various styles and techniques.
- Harp: Specialized instruction for an often-overlooked instrument.
- Jazz: Focusing on improvisation and ensemble performance.
- Piano: Intensive study in solo and collaborative repertoire.
- Theater: Majors in Musical Theater, Shakespeare, and Contemporary Acting, with classes in areas like stage combat.
The International Exchange Program: A Global Perspective
One of the most distinguishing features of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp is its celebrated International Exchange Program. Founded in 1969, this initiative goes beyond artistic training, aiming to cultivate international understanding among youth through the universal language of the arts.
Students who excel in their majors may apply for this prestigious program during their time at camp. The program involves rigorous preparation, including rehearsals on the Blue Lake campus, followed by tours to various countries. Participation in the International Exchange Program offers students the opportunity to:
- Broaden their cultural and global perspective.
- Perform in international venues.
- Engage in cultural exchange with host families abroad.
This focus on global citizenship through the arts is a key component of the camp's mission and a major draw for ambitious students looking for more than just a summer course.
Tuition, Financial Aid, and Lifelong Arts Opportunities
The cost for a two-week session at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp is comprehensive, typically covering tuition, room, and board. While costs can vary by year and program, a deposit is required upon application. For example, a single session may be around $1,965, though this figure should be confirmed for the 2025 season.
Crucially, Blue Lake is committed to accessibility. The camp offers extensive financial assistance through its Scholarship Programs. These include need-based scholarships, which require an application and an audition or portfolio review, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent talented students from attending.
Beyond the youth summer camp, Blue Lake also offers Lifelong Arts sessions. These programs cater to adult musicians of all abilities, providing them with an opportunity to continue learning, growing, and performing in the same inspiring environment as the younger campers. This commitment to arts education across all ages solidifies Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp's role as a comprehensive and enduring cultural institution in Michigan and beyond.
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