Bristol, Va.-Tenn. (May 8, 2025) – It’s a musical summer for kids at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum‘s Pick Along Summer Camp, and registration is officially open. Students ages 8-14 won’t need any previous experience on an instrument for beginner week, June 16-20. Students ages 10-16 that have taken beginner week in the past, or have more experience playing an instrument, will be right at home in our intermediate-level camp June 23-27. Scholarships are available for those in need.
“This is a very unique camp experience where kids learn the basics of an instrument, get to dabble in the world of radio, and also learn about our region’s music history,” said Museum Director Dr. Rene Rodgers. “If your young one has a passion for music, Pick Along Summer Camp is the place to be!”
Pick Along Summer Camp is all about bringing our region’s youth closer to their music heritage. In addition to learning the basics of an acoustic instrument – guitar, banjo, or fiddle – students will have the opportunity to work on projects with WBCM Radio Bristol, explore the museum and learn more about the 1927 Bristol Sessions, and kick up their heels with some dance lessons. They’ll also take their show on the road, busking at a location in Historic Downtown Bristol! At the end of camp week, students will give a performance for their families.
Classes run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET.
Each week of camp costs $200 for museum members and $250 for non-museum members. Instrument rentals are $25 for the week or students may bring their own. Got a whole band of music lovers at home? Discounts are available for multiple campers.
Ready to rock? Head over to the Events pages at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org to sign up.